September 2014
Washington Agriculture
Education Update
Rebecca Wallace, rebecca.wallace@k12.wa.us, (360) 725 -6244
Best of luck to all the agricultural educators heading back into the classroom to shape the minds of their
students, and make an impact that lasts far longer than the school year will. As W.B Yeats said,
“Education is not a filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Blessings for a great year filled with lighting
the fire, and fueling the passions of your students.
Last year we enjoyed an FFA membership of just over 7,000 students. With over 37,000 students
enrolled in agricultural education, it is a realistic goal to increase our FFA membership this year. As
a requirement of career and technical education, extended learning and leadership is required of all
programs. In agricultural education, the associated CTSO is FFA. To be considered a chapter in
good standing; the Program of Activities must be submitted to the state advisor on an annual basis,
state and national dues must be paid, and the chapter’s roster must be uploaded. If any of the three
components are not completed, a chapter is not in good standing, and may not take part in official
activities until they become in compliance. Please contact me with any questions. Thank you.
Special points of
interest:
 Executive Director
Announcement
 Blue and Gold Tour
 National Teach Ag Day
 Fairs with State Officers
 National Finalists
NATIONAL TEACH AG DAY IS SEPTEMBER 25th
Join the National Teach Ag Day via live webcast, Thursday September 25,
from 1-3 EDT. Know a future ag teacher or student who would make a
great ag educator? Send NAAE their picture, name of the student, high
school program, and agricultural teacher that is nominating. Selected photos will be shared during the National Teach Ag Day webcast. Photos can
be emailed to afristoe.naae@uky.edu no later than September 10th. If you
visit the NAAE website, you will find Teach Ag Activities, Lessons, Games,
and Teach Ag modifiable Promotional Materials for use within your classroom and FFA chapter. Check out the 2014 Teach Ag Day Media Packet,
including news release templates, fact sheets, and sample wording for an
official Teach Ag Day proclamation. Visit http://www/maae/prg/teachag
2014 BLUE AND GOLD TOUR WITH STATE OFFICERS
Washington FFA
Website:
www.washingtonffa.org
Tuesday, September 23rd:
9:00AM: District 9—Quincy HS
6:00 PM: District 2 — Enumclaw HS
Wednesday, September 24th:
5:00 PM: District 3—Rochester HS
Thursday, September 25th:
9:00 AM: District 1 — Stanwood Fairgrounds
5:00 PM: District 8 —Castle Rock HS
Monday, September 29th:
9:00 AM: District 6 — Pomeroy HS
Tuesday, September 30th:
10:00 AM: District 5 — Deer Park HS
Wednesday, October 1st:
5:00 PM: District 7 — Manson HS
Saturday, October 4th:
Thank you to our host sites!
The state officers have
announced their theme this
year is:
“Route to Success”
Special Thanks to James Wahl Photography in Lind
for taking this year’s official State Officer Photos
Page 2
Contact Abbie DeMeerleer
abbie@washingtonffa.org
Washington
AgricultureDIRECTOR
Education Update
ABBIE DEMEERLEER NAMED
FFA EXECUTIVE
The Washington FFA Board of Directors has proudly announced the hire of Abbie DeMeerleer to serve as the Washington FFA Executive Director for the Washington FFA Association, completing the state leadership team with state FFA
advisor Rebecca Wallace.
Abbie DeMeerleer is a product of FFA, as a member of the Colfax FFA chapter and District 6 within the Washington FFA
Association. DeMeerleer has a history of success within the organization, leading to her serving as the 1999-2000 Washington State FFA Vice President, and the Western Region National FFA Vice President in 2001-2002. DeMeerleer developed leadership skills through multiple career development events but most notably competing in the National Parliamentary Procedure contest, earning Gold, and earning second in the nation in the Prepared Public Speaking Contest.
Former state FFA officer, and longtime FFA supporter Senator Mark Shoessler said, “I have admired Abbie as a public
speaker, state and National officer and outdoors woman who will bring great leadership to the FFA.”
DeMeerleer’s belief in the FFA is evident through her attainment of both the state and American Degree, and being a
lifetime member of the National FFA Alumni Association, and former National FFA Alumni Association Board Member.
DeMeerleer has applied the leadership development skills learned through FFA as she has advanced professionally.
DeMeerleer received both her B.S and M.Ed from Washington State University, and has served as clinical assistant professor within the WSU College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). In this position, she has
been able to partner with the incredible team at WSU to provide customized leadership workshops, and influence many
students. Former state advisor and executive secretary and current Board of Directors member Ron Crawford said,
“Abbie’s relationship with CAHNRS and Washington State University is valued because of our longstanding relationship
with the University, and her experience with the National Organization is extremely important for the future of our organization.”
DeMeerleer is passionate about helping others discover and live into their potential, and will have support to bring this
passion to the members of the state association. “Abbie is an asset to the Washington State Association; she leads by
example and lives by character. I am excited to work with Abbie to advance leadership opportunities for students,
strengthen relationships with the agricultural industry, and advance agricultural education and FFA in the state. We truly
want to her welcome her to the agricultural family in her new position,” said Rebecca Wallace, state FFA advisor.
STATE OFFICERS VISIT FAIRS ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE
Apply for the 2014 XLR8
Program!
Submitted by State Treasurer, Megan Miller Squealing hogs, elephant ears, and rides…oh my! It’s that time of year
again; its fair season folks and your State Officers have been on the road attending as many fairs as they can! From the very
Northwestern tip of Washington to the Southeastern corner, your Washington State FFA Officer team has attended fourteen fairs, with plans to attend four more! The team is highly dedicated to the support of its members, no matter the
distance. All officers have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the members exhibit their Supervised Agricultural Experience projects, and the accumulation of all their hard work when the judge finally hands them that ribbon. It’s seeing the look of
pure joy on their face; it’s seeing them pet their animal excitedly; it’s the sudden realization, that one gets what they put
in…and what these members put in was nothing but hard work, determination, and perseverance---things which an FFA
member should possess. Being present to witness such events as these is what motivates us officers to keep on going. To
hit the road, help out, and stay at the fair late until the last sheet is tallied, then waking up early to start the process over
again. Knowing that we are here to support something bigger than ourselves is our reward. We each had our time to
shine in the ring. Now it is theirs, and that is what fuels our motivation…knowing that we can help and support our members on their “Route to Success!” The State Officers have attended these fairs to date; Cowlitz County Fair, Mason County Fair, Thurston County Fair, Stanwood-Camano Community Fair, Chelan Rodeo, Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo/Grandview Fair, Grant County Fair, Benton-Franklin
County Fair, Northwest Washington Fair, Klickitat
County Fair, Silvana Community Fair, Wheatland Community Fair, North Central Washington District Fair,
and The Evergreen State Fair. The State Officers are
planning to attend these fairs, so if you are also attending please say hello! The Palouse Empire Fair, Chelan
County Fair, Adams County Fair and The Washington
State Fair. To stay up to date on what the Washington
State FFA Officer team is up to, ‘like’ our Facebook
page, “Washington State FFA Association” or go to
washingtonffa.org for more information.
Retaining quality experienced
teachers is important to the
future of agricultural education.
XLR8—is the Excellence in
Leadership for Retention
professional development
program.
All active NAAE member who
are currently in their 7th to
15th year of teaching are eligible
to apply. Each applicant must
have been a NAAE member the
three previous years while
teaching agriculture. Each
participant will be expected to
take part in the XLR8 Institute
at the 2014 NAAE Convention
in Nashville, Tennessee, among
CONGRATS TO WASHINGTON’S TEACHERS:
other professional development
Matt Mounts, Yelm High School—named the NAAE Region 1 Teacher Mentor Award Winner.
activities. Cost to attend the Kristin Niehenke, Toutle Lake High School– selected for the NAAE Region 1 Teachers Turn the Key
convention is included.
Darla Sheppard, Yelm Middle School—selected for the NAAE Region 1 Teachers Turn the Key
The submission deadline is
Dan Tedor, Decatur High School — selected as a DuPont National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador
September 26th. If you have
questions, Washington’s own
Tamara Whitcomb completed
the program last year, Applications are available on the NAAE
website, and questions can be
directed to Alisa Smith at
asmith.naae@uky.edu.
Rebecca Wallace, rebecca.wallace@k12.wa.us, (360) 725 -6244
Page 3
WASHINGTON FFA MEMBER NAMED WHITE HOUSE CHAMPION OF CHANGE
On Tuesday, July 29th, The White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture honored 15
“Champions of Change,” leaders from across the country doing extraordinary things to build
the bench for the next generation of farming and ranching. Jesus Rodriguez, a 2014 graduate
of Chelan High School and member of the Chelan FFA Chapter, was selected and honored.
Rodriguez was born in Los Angeles, California the son of Mexican and El Salvadoran immigrants. His family moved to the Chelan Valley in Central Washington State before he entered
school to work in the tree fruit industry. Jesus was the Washington State Fruit and Vegetable
Production Proficiency winner, served as a District 7 FFA officer, and completed in numerous
career development events while a member of Chelan FFA. Jesus will enter college this coming fall, pursuing a degree in Horticulture at Washington State University, and hopes to enter
the tree fruit industry as a field representative for a fruit warehouse or chemical company,
and one day, hopefully own his own orchard. The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals, businesses, and organizations doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.
Congratulations to Jesus, his family, and the Chelan FFA chapter and community!
2014 SAE GRANTS OPEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2014
The SAE grants use sponsor and foundation funding to provide direct grants to students that allow them to facilitate inventive supervised agricultural
experience programs that meet the need of quality based SAE program and learning experiences throughout the nation. There are 141 grant
opportunities available; which equates to $141,000 dollars available to students. For the 2014 grant year, the National FFA Organization is interested
in receiving innovative, well-written, needs-based grant applications for student SAE development. SAE Grants are categorized by pathways; agribusiness systems, animal systems, environmental/natural resource systems, food products and processing systems, plant systems, and power, structural,
and technical systems. To start the grant process, applicants should log on to AGCN. Locate FFA Application Center, and from there, find the link
that states “SAE Application Center.” Applications are due November 15, 2014—any questions can be directed to Dan Chabot at dchabot@ffa.org.
NATIONAL FFA AWARD WINNERS NAMED
American Degree Recipients
Derek Ahl, Chelan
Jacob Barth, Quincy
William Bowdish, Goldendale
Ashley Catania, Battle Ground
Amber Dainty, Washtucna
Amy Edmondson, Meridian
Alicia Edwards, Tonasket
Shaylyn Goodall, Omak
Karlie Henneman, Tonasket
Sean Hess, Chelan
Breanna Howell, Tonasket
Brandon Knodel, Lind-Ritzville
Sadie Long, Tonasket
Grace Maldonado, Tonasket
Levi Mason, Toledo
Mitchell McGreevy, Pomeroy
Chad Miller, Chelan
Melanie Morgan, South Kitsap
Wyatt O’Brien, Tonasket
Bailey Peters, Centralia
Mikala Presho, Springdale
Sydney Reynolds, Pullman
Rachel Shrauger, Deer Park
Harley Sweitzer, Shelton
Chase Teigen, Asotin
Rebekah Thomason, Omak
Claire Thornton, Tonasket
Joshua Trimmell, Asotin
Laine Utter, Moses Lake
Guadalupe Villasenor, Chelan
Dalton Wahl, Tonasket
Skyler Watkins, Davenport
Erin Weber, Colton
Amber Dainty, Battle Ground
Congrats to the 2014
Dairy Judging Champions:
Lynden Christian
FFA Chapter
Washington Success at
National FFA– Just the Facts
Agriscience Finalists - 11
American Degrees - 34
Model of Excellence - 1
Model of Innovation - 2
National Chapter (3 star) - 8
Proficiency Finalists - 2
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
EDUCATION
OLD CAPITOL BUILDING
PO BOX 47200
OLYMPIA, WA 98504
Phone: 360-725-6244
Fax: 360-586-9321
E-mail: rebecca.wallace@k12.wa.us
FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards
The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students can compete for awards in 49 areas
covering everything From the FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Glossary, “Entrepreneurship
is the act of organizing, managing, and assuming the risk of a business or enterprise,” and “Placement is an
SAE program where students work for wages or experience.”
Congrats to the following proficiency award winners:
Dennis Grelis, Fife— National Finalist in Agricultural Services Entrepreneurship/Placement
Sheridan Lantz, Yelm—National Finalist in Goat Production Entrepreneurship/Placement
Matthew DeHan, Yelm—Gold in Diversified Agricultural Production Entrepreneurship/Placement
Linsey Sturgill, Castle Rock— Silver in Swine Production Entrepreneurship
Apolinar Blanco, Chelan—Bronze in Agricultural Processing Entrepreneurship/Placement
Maggie Ashby, Castle Rock —Bronze in Beef Production Entrepreneurship
Riley Black, Ferndale— Bronze in Diversified Livestock Entrepreneurship/Placement
Gennaro Scotto, Yelm— Bronze in Forage Production Entrepreneurship/Placement
Jesus Rodriguez, Chelan— Bronze in Fruit Production Entrepreneurship/Placement
Christopher Wiley, Prosser—Bronze in Grain Production Placement
Maggie Elliot, Prosser—Bronze in Small Animal Production and Care Entrepreneurship/Placement
National Agriscience Fair
Students can complete as an individual or a team, Division 1– individuals in grades 7, 8, or 9. Division 2;
Individuals in grades 10, 11, or 12. Division 3—teams in grades 7, 8, or 9. Division 4—Teams in grades 10,
11, or 12. Receiving Bronze; Alyssa McGee– Sumner FFA—Animal Systems Division 2, Sarah Keele—
Toutle Lake FFA—Food Products and Processing Division 2
David Kurz—Sumner FFA—Plant Systems Division 2
McKayla Medley and Laynie Ridley—Sumner FFA—Plant Systems Division 4
Chelsie Ranta—Toutle Lake FFA—Social Systems Division 2
Agriscience Fair Finalists
Georgia Hinds and Brooke Nichols—Sumner FFA—Animal Systems Division 3
Lauren Baker and Brooke Carlaw—Sumner FFA—Animal Systems Division 4
Richard Kurz—Sumner FFA– Environmental Services/ Natural Resources Division 1
Colin-Michael Wakefield—Sumner FFA—Environmental Services/Natural Resources Division 2
Andrew Manley and Natalie Santo-Domingo—Sumner FFA—Environmental Services/Natural Res. Div. 4
Rhaven Dean and Michaelann Wilson—Sumner FFA—Food Products and Processing Systems Div 3
Jacklyn Brendible and Michelle Larsen—Sumner FFA—Food Products and Processing Div 4
Anthony Josten and Sydney Walker—Sumner FFA — Plant Systems Division 3
McKenzie Bateman—Yelm FFA—Power, Structural, and Technical Systems Division 1
Jenna Hughes—Sumner FFA—Power, Structural, and Technical Systems Division 2
Kelly Quiroz—Yelm FFA — Social Systems Division 1
National Chapter Awards
The National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that successfully complete an annual Program of Activities (POA) which includes a series of activities designed to encourage its members to grow as
individuals, to work as part of a team, and to serve others. Chapters that receive national 3-star ratings are
eligible to compete for the national Model of Excellence Chapter Award, and ten chapters across the nation are selected as finalists. The Yelm FFA chapter was named one of the then 2014 Models of Excellence
Finalists from across the nation. Chapters that receive national 3-star ratings are eligible to compete for the
National Model of Innovation Chapter Awards, and ten finalists are selected for each of the three National
Chapter Award Divisions; Student, Chapter, and Community Development. Washington had two finalists in
the Models of Innovation award area. The Yelm FFA Chapter was named a 2014 Models of Innovation
Finalist in the area of Chapter Development. The Kamiakin FFA Chapter was named a 2014 Models of Innovation Finalist in the area of Student Development. Best of luck back at National Convention!
Upcoming Dates of Interest:
Sept 1: AgCN opens for fall rosters
Sept 5-21: Washington State Fair: Puyallup, WA
Sept 12: FFA State Horse CDE: Othello, WA
Sept 13: FFA State Poultry CDE: Puyallup, WA
Sept 23-Oct 4: Blue and Gold Tour, various across state
Oct. 3: WAAE Fall Exec Meeting, Wenatchee
Oct 29-Nov 1: National FFA Convention: Louisville, KY