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| SD FFA Foundation Email Newsletter ~ | ~ Volume 6, Issue 9 ~ | ~ March 2016 |
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The SD FFA Email Newsletter highlights special projects of the SD FFA and SD FFA Foundation. Please forward this newsletter to others you know who are involved and interested in FFA and agriculture education. Thank you for your support of the FFA in South Dakota!
Director’s Message:
Spring is coming … and I can't wait! This winter has been long and cold but the eventual spring weather will be so much sweeter ... as will SD State FFA Convention which comes with it! Students will display what they learned regarding 14 different Career Development Events, be inspired by workshops and speakers, and receive over $30,000 in awards and scholarships. Mark your calendars and join us. As a friend, past member or sponsor, your support is important! The big event is April 10-12th, in Brookings.
Gerri Ann Eide, Executive Director, SD FFA Foundation, Inc. |
How can FFA members do it? With YOU helping them AMPLIFY their skills and develop leadership!
The SD FFA Foundation knows today's FFA members will be tomorrow's dynamic leaders - we work hard to give them the resources and experiences they need to AMPLIFY their skills as leaders and accomplish great things. We hear about the spark students had lit by FFA all the time ... 
Tessa Anderson, Chester FFA Senior, says “Even though I didn’t join FFA until I was a junior, FFA has helped me be a better leader and meet so many new people with common interests. I will be able to take the things that I have learned and use them throughout my life, and for that I am just so proud to represent not only my chapter but all of FFA.” 
Similarly, Kaitlyn Schmeichel, Tri Valley FFA member, shares “FFA impacted my life by helping me create myself. It has instilled a life-long passion and love for agriculture, FFA and the people I’ve met along the way. I am extremely thankful for the sponsors who helped me get to Nationals in Ag Communications.”
Individuals or businesses; small or large contributions … EVERY donation is important and empowers the SD FFA Foundation to AMPLIFY our members successes. Thanks to all our sponsors who donate their time, talent and treasure.
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Upcoming events:
- March 31 – Lennox CDE
- April 1 - Little International, Brookings
- April 10-12 – State FFA Convention, Brookings
- May 15 American Degree Applications Due
- May 20 Leadership Retreat Scholarship Applications Due
- June 8-10 - SD Range Camp
- June 21-22: Rangeland & Soils Days, Wall
- June 28-30 East River Leadership Retreat: Swan Lake
- July 12-15 West River Leadership Retreat: Custer
"Like" us! 
The South Dakota FFA Foundation is on Facebook, with a page to connect with past members and supporters, keep you informed of the many things we are doing, and recognize sponsors. Check it out and share with your friends.
South Dakota Youth Range Camp
Training tomorrow’s leaders today in range and natural resource management and the stewardship of natural resources - that's what range camp is all about. Youth, ages 14-18, in 4-H and FFA can learn about rangelands and their management the 1st week of June, at this year's SD Youth Range Camp, held near Sturgis, SD.
Way back when I was in high school, I attended this myself, learned tons, and had a blast doing it! What a great experience. To help sponsor a student, or information on attending, contact: (605) 394-2236 or sdsu.wracadmin@sdstate.edu |
OWN IT ... at this year's State Convention
Students are studying rigorously for their career development areas and attending district and regional events to sharpen their skills, so they can OWN It by using their strengths at state convention to win their area. For many it's the thrill of winning, but as adults we know they are building career skills for a lifetime.
During convention hundreds of students will be recognized on stage for OWNing projects, experience and passion for agriculture with proficiency awards, state degrees, the STARS pageant, Agriscience Fair and National Chapter recognition, Career Development Events and scholarships. As a sponsor, be sure to join us for the VIP reception, Sunday April 11th at 6pm in HPER Center, upper level lobby.
If you can’t attend, be sure to watch convention sessions through live streaming thanks to McCook Central FFA Chapter. –
Sponsorship Opportunities:
There are several convention awards not yet sponsored in full. Help invest in the future ... if you are interest or know someone who would be a good fit for these events please let us know! Sponsors can do the whole amount, or a portion of it.
Proficiency Areas
Outdoor Recreation co-sponsor - $100
Livestock CDE travel scholarship - $400
Agriscience Fair
Plant Systems - $500
Animal Systems - $500
Social Systems - $500
Power Systems - $500
Environmental & Natural Resources Systems - $500
State Degree Banquet co-sponsorship - $500 |
State Officers Spend Spring Break touring
It's was a whirlwind of a week. State Officers just finished Business and Industry visits, touring over 60 businesses in 3 days. March 7-9th was a great opportunity for many of our supporters to visit with South Dakota's State FFA Officers. The officers learn so much about the agriculture industry and potential careers in the industry. An experience that I believe is very valuable to their future.
Their purpose was twofold: to learn about current concerns in the agricultural industry and share the message of how FFA and agriculture education are preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. |
Living to Serve – providing BLUE jean shoes!
The SD FFA Foundation is coordinating a Sole Hope service project at State convention, Monday April 11th. Sole Hope is an organization that helps the people of Uganda by creating jobs for shoemakers & tailors and providing kids shoes to prevent jiggers. FFA members will be taking old blue jeans, cutting soles for shoes, which will be transported to Uganda and sewn by local residents into shoes, and changing lives in Uganda by preventing diseases transmitted through feet.
We need:
1. OLD BLUE JEANS
2. FUNDS TO SEND FOR THE SHOEMAKERS!
Want to help? Donate online and mention Sole Hope project! |
Career Carnival
The South Dakota State FFA will be hosting our annual South Dakota FFA Career Carnival for high school students on Monday, April 11, during the 2016 State FFA Convention. We would like to invite ag businesses and commodity organizations to interact one on one with the next generation of producers, leaders and consumers, during the SD FFA State Convention. The information you provide will give students the knowledge to promote and defend the agriculture industry, as well as possibly choose your sector of agriculture as their career. Contact gerri@sdffafoundation.org for more information. |
Members get creative during FFA Week
I'm not sure if they made lots of noise, but during FFA week, SD FFA chapters sure should have been in the papers, on the radio and TV as they made an impact in their communities with all kinds of activities & celebrations! Here are some highlights:
State FFA officers & local FFA members – heard on radio stations across the state
Local chapters worked with Tractor Supply locations, to support FFA growing Communities Grant program asking shoppers to donate $1 at checkout. Money goes to grants for SD FFA chapters!
National FFA Advisor traveled SD, Dr. Steve Brown – visiting Rapid City, Wall, Mitchell, McCook Central, Harrisburg FFA members and more along the way. He participated in breakfasts, suppers, tours, Get the Goat business visits, and more!
All kinds of local activities to celebrate, educate and advocate for agriculture education and FFA! |
Advisors are the Key
FFA advisors have been “Here by the Owl” mentoring students for over 85 years and they are currently in short supply. For FFA to continue to be strong, we need dedicated and dynamic ag teachers! Encourage a young person you know to become an ag teacher. Say “Thank you,” in person to an FFA advisor you impacted your personal growth and career choices. SHARE how an FFA advisor influenced your life.
Know someone interested in teaching Ag that would like help paying for college? Critical Needs Scholarships are available to undergraduate students in their final two years of post-secondary education pursuing a Critical Teaching Need area, including Agriculture Education! Applications due April 15, 2016. Students receiving the scholarship promise to teach for 5 years in SD after graduating.
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 Featured Fundraisers:
Zoetis supports Local FFA chapters
South Dakota FFA chapters will again have the opportunity to earn funds through the Zoetis FFA Support Program starting in February. Eligible Zoetis accounts complete an enrollment form (by May 6), and receive a 1 percent rebate on all Zoetis cattle products, excluding MGA® purchases, from Feb. 1 to April 30, 2016. The rebate can be donated to local FFA chapter(s) of their choice. Talk to your local Zoetis rep and ask them to sign up for this program! Since the program’s start in 2008, S.D. FFA chapters have earned more than $81,000 from this program. |
Plan a gift to the SD FFA Foundation
in your annual budget.
You can donate online here or mail a donation to: SD FFA Foundation, 39393 133rd St., Bath, SD 57427 |
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For more information, please contact gerri@sdffafoundation.org. or call (605) 765-4865
© 2015 South Dakota FFA Foundation,
Inc.
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