Missouri FFA Members Receive National Awards

Two tapped with proficiency award honors

by Joann Pipkin 

Nationally, students enrolled in agricultural education can compete for awards in nearly 50 proficiency award areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members that are exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.

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State Ag Education Leader Honored Nationally

Leon Busdieker named Outstanding State Supervisor
by Joann Pipkin

The National Association of Supervisors in Agricultural Education (NASAE) recently named Leon Busdieker as the 2020 Outstanding State Supervisor. Since July 2011 Busdieker has been the director of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and serves as state advisor for the Missouri FFA Association. 

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20/20

by Anna Milazzo

I lost my glasses a few months ago. I had just gone to the eye doctor, so I was bound and determined to find them.  I never did, so I bit the bullet and picked out a new pair. When they finally came in, I put them on and realized how much sharper everything was. Without my glasses, I have to stare at things endlessly before they come into focus. 
Focus. With the craziness of this last year — Covid-19, transitioning from high school to college, moving from the smallest town to urban living — I lost focus. My world was shaken up. My vision was blurry. Why was I doing this again? What is my purpose? I was focusing on all the things I couldn’t control and my forever-long to-do lists. I was spiraling about the smallest details. Not taking time to breathe and enjoy the moments.

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Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarships Offered 

Applications due Feb. 1, 2021 
by Joann Pipkin

The Missouri State Fair and the Youth in Agriculture Committee are accepting applications for Youth in Agriculture scholarships for Missouri high school seniors graduating in 2021. The application form can be found on the Fair’s website. Applications should be submitted to the Missouri State Fair and must be postmarked by Feb. 1, 2021. Applicants must submit an original copy of their application and three additional copies.

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You Could Earn Ca$h 

Videos due April 1, 2021 
 by Joann Pipkin

Attention Missouri Agriculture teachers! Are you using the new Exploring Agriculture curriculum to teach one or more middle school classes? Consider applying for the Exploring Ag in Missouri Video Contents to earn $500 cash! Read on to find out more about this exciting opportunity!

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Making Connections

Pen Pal Program launched to help Missouri FFA members build a network

 by Joann Pipkin

The Missouri FFA Pen Pal Program will give high school FFA members the opportunity to meet fellow FFA members across the state. An email will be sent to the two paired participants to connect them together. They will then be able to share their physical address, social media channels, and start building relationships. The program is open to all Missouri FFA members still in high school and will continue for an extended period of time. To participate, complete the form via this link: https://forms.gle/ekm6VRTm9AspNLXL6.

New Look for Greenhand Conferences

from Our Staff ​ 

Greenhand Motivational Conferences will come with a new look this year. The annual conferences for first-year FFA members will be offered during December and January as an in-chapter visit or as a video conference depending on your school district’s health restrictions and protocols. State officers will be taping a skit to use as the intro for the visit and will then conduct an opportunities workshop to conclude each visit. Your advisor will schedule your chapter’s conference through their district supervisor. The 2020-21 State Officer Team has set a goal of working to connect with all 349 Missouri FFA Chapters.