Florida FFA Association

Today the top 10 teams from the Environmental Science and Natural Resources preliminary Career Development Event participated in the state finals. Students developed an oral and visual presentation about camera use in agriculture, identified common plants, wildlife, reptiles/amphibians, fish and more, determined locations through the use of GPS as well as participated in practicums related to water analysis and waste management.

We are thankful for those who gave of their time and talents to make this event a success!

Florida FFA members had a fantastic day yesterday at the 2024 Ag On The Hill in Tallahassee. FFA members participated in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's Legislative Briefing Breakfast to kick off the day. After the breakfast, we heard from Chancellor of Adult & Career & Technical Education Kevin O'Farrell. Later in the day, members met with their State Representatives & Senators to discuss important issues relating to Florida FFA and agricultural education. We rounded out the day with the Taste of Florida Reception in the Capitol Courtyard! A special thanks to the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators, Agriculture Education Services & Technology, Inc., and the Florida Farm Bureau Federation for organizing the event.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others? "- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Update from Mackenzie!

Day 8 & 9: Echuca and Geelong

We started our day on 1/12 at Russell Pell’s Diary Farm where we saw his operation and learned that he uses a rotary milking system to collect 7 million liters per year of milk!

After that we headed to Pepperton Rams which is a Dorset lamb breeding and selling operation that’s family owned. They sell on average 200 rams per year! They also run a bed and breakfast on site to use as tourism during rough times such as drought.

Our last stop of the day was Cobram Estate’s olive oil packaging facilities/factory. They have an on site lab where all product testing can be done on each individual flavor. We got to do a tasting and even got a bottle to take home with us!

On 1/13 we started our morning at the Marcus Oldham College where we learned about their agricultural classes and degree types as well as learned more about the country as a whole!

After that we headed to a sheep and cropping operation and listened to the owner Scott talk about his experiences and learned that his farm of about 5,000 sheep is a 6th generation family farm!

From there we toured another cropping property owned by Charlie a 5th generation farmer and saw how new technology is playing a huge part in his operation.
Our last stop of the day was Great Ocean Road where we got some sand between our toes on the shore of the southern ocean!

It was an amazing few days!

Update from Makenleigh!
Day 6 & 7: Griffith & Echuca
We started our day on 01/10 at Southern Cotton Gin-an independently owned ginning facility located in Whitton. We toured the gin and got to see how their process
Our next stop was at the Knagge family's property We met with Garry and Marg Knagge, owners and managers a mixed farming operation growing rice, irrigated barley and dryland wheat, on two adjoining irrigation farms. We saw first hand practices of environmental and sustainability work on the properties. While at the farm, we also met with Chris Proud - Senior Rice Breeder from Rice Breeding Australia -who explained the fast track rates of genetic gain in rice breeding.

We spent the afternoon touring Hutcheon and Pearce, a major John Deere dealer and distributor with 21 branches across NSW. We also got to visit the construction sight of their new dealership.
Hutcheon and Pearce has been working with farmers and machinery for three generations. We then toured Mario's Packhouse / Mario's Citrus farm, who pride themselves as premium exporters of oranges and rockmelons.

The next morning, we loaded the buses and made our way to Echuca. Upon our arrival we met with Bec Wyper - an extension officer with MurrayDairy MurrayDairy is one of eight of the Regional Development Programs for the Dairy RDC Dairy.

After lunch, we visited a dairy on an 806ha irrigation property on the banks of the Goulburn Owners, Russell and Cathy Pell grow maize, lucerne, millet and pasture to support their 650 head dairy herd. They have a brand new rotary installed & provided us with lots of information on water use and management on their farm!

Dinner was spent on a Paddlesteamer at the historic river port on the Murray River.

Update from Kayelee!

Day 4 & 5: Canberra & Griffith

We started the morning of 01/08 engaging in some seminars lead by agricultural leaders from across Australia. Gemma Gordon from the Agricultural Rural Leadership Program shared the role the company plays within rural, regional, and remote Australia. We learned that their purpose & motto is ‘leadership for the greater good.’ Following this presentation we heard from Gerald Smith, Renee Pizzuta, and Zeljko Biki on behalf of the Office of Ag Affairs, US Embassy Canberra. Their visit helped each of us gain insight into Australian agriculture markets and commodities. The last presentation was led by Caitlin, Claudia, and Jessica from the Future Farmers Network. We had the pleasure of hearing their personal stories!

Later in the afternoon we visited the Parliament House in the capital of Australia. As we walked through the halls we learned about the history and meaning behind the details in the architecture of the Parliament House. We also compared their form of government to ours in the US.

The next morning was spent traveling to Griffith. While on the way we made two stops! First, we toured the Gunnong Jugrawah property owned by Sandy Tate. Mr. Sandy, his wife, & others were great hosts and spoke with us about the agronomy practices on their property. We also toured their sheep shearing shed! Secondly, Reiland Angus Operations hosted a phenomenal afternoon with lunch, live music, and of course all things AG. The family ran operation focuses on both cattle, sheep, and wool production.

An ILSSO Update from Jenna:

Days 2 & 3: Sydney, Australia

We spent our first two days in country in Sydney. After a 15 hour flight, we took a short bus tour in the historic parts of Sydney and spent some time on the famous surfing destination, Bondi Beach. After shaking some sand out of our shoes, we headed back to our hotel and did some exploring around the shops in the inner city. For dinner, we went to Darling Harbour, a pedestrian area, and watched a fireworks show in commencement of Australian Independence Day, 1/26.

On the next day, we hit the ground running with an early morning tour of the Botanical Gardens with an overlook of the Sydney Opera House and the "Coat Hanger" bridge. We learned that the Coat Hanger was once called the Iron Lung as it was one of the only places people could work during the Great Depression. Then, we took an inside tour of the Sydney Opera House, an architectural dream turned reality, that took 16 years to complete. Its design is meant to mimic sails of boats sailing in the harbor. Lastly, we took a luncheon cruise and set off to Canberra, the capital of NSW.

We are headed to Australia for the 2024 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers!

ILSSO develops an awareness of global agriculture and enhances the cultural competency of travelers. We will spend the next 11 days being immersed in Australian agriculture and culture alongside 70 other state officers from across the nation.

As 2023 comes to an end, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Florida FFA Foundation during this special season of giving. Your gift helps provide opportunities to over 70,000 Florida FFA members. Each contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in supporting and growing the next generation of leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.

Help us create more life-changing opportunities for Florida FFA Members by making a tax-deductible gift by December 31st.

👉Online donations can be made at https://donorbox.org/flffafoundationdonate

The Florida FFA Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization.

From all of us at Florida FFA, we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Florida FFA Foundation is pleased to announce the inductees for the 2024 Florida FFA Hall of Fame.

The Florida FFA Hall of Fame began in 2007 to pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who have helped make Florida FFA the premier youth leadership organization in the state. The support from these six individuals and others have helped Florida FFA become home to more than 70,000 FFA members in more than 350 FFA chapters across the state. FFA members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to more than 300 professional career opportunities in the agricultural industry.

Some of the contributions of this year’s inductees are as follows:

RICK AHRENS served as an agriculture educator and FFA advisor for 40 years, growing the Brooksville Sr. FFA chapter into a nationally recognized chapter in the areas of Agriscience and National Chapter Award Programs. During his tenure he had more than 70 members place in the National FFA Agriscience Fair, 20 State Stars Finalists and 10 State Stars, mostly in the area of Agriscience. Under Mr. Ahrens advisement, the chapter was also named 20 times as a National FFA top 10 Finalist in the National Chapter Award Programs. He has been recognized with the Honorary American FFA Degree.

WAYNE CLARK taught agriculture education and served as an FFA advisor for 32 years at Okeechobee High School. He was instrumental in the program’s strong agricultural mechanics program and mentoring several young members who would go on to serve as successful members of the community, agriculture industry and even several FFA advisors. Mr. Clark was passionate about supporting the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center, organizing various fundraising and service-based projects locally and in Haines City. Upon his retirement, he moved back to Cadiz KY, before his passing in April 2021.

JOHN DAVIDSON had an abundantly successful 35-year teaching career in Hillsborough County, primarily at Plant City High School where he served as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. Mr. Davidson helped to build a chapter that during his tenure produced an unprecedented five national FFA officers, over 14 state FFA officers, eight current agriculture teachers and dozens of state-winning teams and individuals in career and leadership development events. His humble work in the development of innumerable skilled leaders was quiet but motivating. To Mr. Davidson, agriculture education was more than a job, it was a calling.

RICKY & LOUISA LYONS have devoted countless hours to supporting agriculture education and Florida FFA in many capacities, serving as active pillars in their community and beyond. Mr. Lyons originally began his career as an agriculture teacher at Suwanee High School before returning home to Lafayette High School, excelling in the instruction of forestry, farm business management and parliamentary procedure. He left teaching to serve as the Clerk of Court for Lafayette County. Mrs. Lyons has always served as a nurturing force of strength and leadership, helping to provide opportunities for countless students locally and statewide. Together with their children, the family established Lyons Show Pigs and has raised livestock that become show projects and part of thousands of students’ SAE. Through Mr. & Mrs. Lyons guidance, they helped mentor many students to become exhibitors of grand champion projects, star finalists and winners, proficiency finalists and winners, and countless young people with an exceptional work-ethic and values centered outlook on life. They have been honored as Lafayette County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year, recipients of the Pork All American Award and Honorary State FFA Degree. They are the proud parents of two outstanding agriculture educators, Chad Lyons and Tori Lyons, both instructors and FFA advisors at Lafayette High School.

RICKEY ODOM was an agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor for 38 years with Lake County Schools, making a tremendous impact on students, families, co-workers, and the communities he served. Mr. Odom’s primary goal was student growth, yet his impact was seen beyond the classroom as he prepared and coached students to achieve numerous state and national titles in career and leadership development events, proficiency award winners and star finalists, successful officers at all levels of FFA involvement. He is best known by many of his colleagues around the state for his far-reaching helpful advice and guidance.

The Florida FFA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place during the 96th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo.

Help us show our appreciation and congratulations to this year's inductees

Are you interested in learning more about serving as a Florida FFA State Officer? Are you a current 12th-grade FFA member?⁠
⁠
Yes and Yes. ✅ Perfect! ⁠
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➡️Get signed up for our Virtual State Officer Candidate Workshop today! Registration closes at 5PM on January 19th. Register here: https://floridaffa.formstack.com/forms/2024socw

Yesterday, State FFA President Kayelee Ehrisman & State Secretary Jenna Larson stopped by Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson's newly renovated Capitol Office. While the entire office suite is a state-of-the-art remodel, we were thrilled to see a framed FFA 75th Anniversary Blanket right in the front lobby of the office. Thank you to Commissioner Simpson & Assistant Commissioner Kathy Mears for supporting our members and agriculture education.

Yesterday, Florida FFA State President Kayelee Ehrisman & State Secretary Jenna Larson had the opportunity to address the Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture to provide an update to the committee on Florida FFA and agricultural education. We would like to thank Senator Jay Collins for his invitation to come present before the committee.

While at the State Capitol, Kayelee & Jenna also spent some time visiting with Representative Josie Tomkow, Representative Chuck Brannan State Representative, and Speaker Pro Tempore Chuck Clemons. We are extremely grateful for their continued support of Florida FFA and the nearly 70,000 students enrolled in agriculture education courses across our state.

We wish the very best to the Florida FFA members who will be competing in Sub-District Leadership Development Events (LDEs) and Career Development Events (CDEs) taking place at 29 sites across the state today! We are very thankful for the teachers, sponsors, and supporters who make these life-changing experiences possible!

This weekend, Florida FFA members participated in the 2023 High School IMPACT Conference! FFA members learned how their vision and strengths allow them to impact their community and beyond! Thank you to our National FFA Organization facilitators, Hope & Taylor, for spending time here and investing in our members.
We also want to thank our National FFA State Specialist, Jill Wagner, for joining us!

That is a wrap on the 2023 Middle School Conference! Students spent two days on an out-of-this-world experience initiating relationships, confidence, opportunities, & goals!

Yesterday, Florida FFA members competed in the Vegetable Evaluation Career Development Event! The Vegetable Evaluation event is designed to test the skills and knowledge of students in the area of vegetable production and management.

We would like to thank Mr. Tim App for coordinating this event!

Today at the University of Florida, FFA members competed in the Agricultural Education Career Development Event. This CDE aims to provide individuals with basic skills necessary for a career as an agricultural educator. Teaching agriculture involves teaching students about applications of science, management, leadership, and technology in the food, fiber, and natural resource industries. We are grateful for our continued partnership with the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication for coordinating & hosting this event.

New this year, the University is offering the top three (3) individual finalists of the Agricultural Education Career Development Event (CDE) a scholarship from the UF/CALS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC)! Go Gators!

This morning, ninety-four FFA members participated in the Farm & Agribusiness Career Development Event. This event provides competition that fosters information assimilation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills necessary to manage a farm successfully or pursue farm business management careers. We would like to thank the College of Central Florida for hosting the event at their Vintage Farm Campus!

Be sure to grab some of these awesome socks as stocking stuffers for your favorite FFA member, agriculture teacher, or FFA supporter!

Put your best foot forward this holiday season and grab a pair of FFA socks! These 100% American-made accessories make the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for any FFA member, alumni, supporter or agriculture enthusiast.

Sales will conclude on December 15th to ensure holiday delivery!

Order Here 👉 https://bloominsocks.com/products/floridaffa

As you spend time with family and friends today, we wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for the American Farmer who constantly works to ensure that our industry can continue to feed the world.

We are very pleased to share the results of the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo, and we would like to take a moment to recap the events of the week!

On behalf of the entire Florida FFA team, thank you for making the Florida FFA Association the best state association in the country. Your work on the local level does not go unnoticed, and we are proud to be represented by such outstanding chapters, members, advisors, alumni members, and supporters.

On this day and every day, we salute the brave men and women who proudly wear the uniform of the United States Military. We thank you for your service and sacrifice. Happy Veterans Day!

FFA members are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Through agricultural education and hands-on learning, they prepare for more than 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber, and natural resources industry.

Help ensure a bright future by purchasing an Agricultural Education and FFA license plate for your vehicle or trailer.