Corduroy Connections

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1 Minnesota FFA Alumni Come see the FFA Alumni at the Minnesota State Fair Dollar milk and Sweet Martha s Cookies who can turn that down? It s county fair time across Minnesota. Some counties have already had their fairs, others are happening as you read this, and still more are yet to come this month. The only fair that is universal across the state is the Minnesota State Fair, August 27 September 7. As kids prepare their animals and projects to be judged at the fair, we all need to take a step back and think of ways that we can be present at both our county and state fairs. In many counties there are FFA animal shows that need judges, arena assistants, and even picture takers. Even helping your kids or local FFA members prepare their animals or their FFA projects to be judged shows that you re willing to support them. In what ways will you make yourself visible as a MN FFA Alumni member at the fair? Come join us for the FFA Day at the Minnesota State Fair on September 5th. Many festivities will be taking place in the FFA Chapter House and at the Christenson Farms stage, connected to the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. Also, there will be a parade, a recognition ceremony of the 2015 Hall of Fame inductees, and an appreciation ceremony for Mr. Jim Ertl. Show your support of the FFA Organization and of the FFA Alumni this fair season. Give of your talents and support willingly. MN State Fair Trivia 1. What year was the first Minnesota State Fair held? 2. If measured by laying them end to end, how many miles of footlong hot dogs are sold at the State Fair each year? 3. During a typical year, how many gallons of milk are served at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk booth? 4. In what year was the first Princess Kay of the Milky Way crowned? 5. Throughout the year, nearly 20,000 animals are housed in the barns during events and the State Fair. How many yards of manure are produced? Answers: 1) 1859, 2) 35 miles, 3) 26,000 gallons, 4) 1954, 5) 15,377 yards or 348 truck loads You can also grab some fair food in your free time! Join us for the FFA Day at the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday, September 5th.

2 Regional Development Conference, FFA Day with the Saints On Saturday, July 25th, FFA Alumni members of the Mid-West region of the country gathered at the Union Depot in St. Paul, Minnesota to learn about how to overcome and prevent burnout in their FFA Alumni leaders. This conference was hosted by the National FFA Alumni. There were about 50 members in attendance. The main focus of the conference was to brainstorm ideas on how to build leadership at the local level, while making sure that the entire alumni affiliate doesn t rely on just a few people. Following the conference, attendees were invited to join with FFA members from across Minnesota at the FFA Day at the St. Paul Saints baseball game. Even through the Saints couldn t pull off the win that night, it was a fun game, rounding out the day with another great FFA victory! FFA Alumni members gathered to learn about how to overcome and prevent burnout in their FFA Alumni leaders. 2

3 State Convention 2015, Hall of Fame Recognition More than 3,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests gathered to Reach as the 86th Minnesota FFA Convention was in session April at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The Minnesota FFA Alumni was present all throughout convention. Here are a few highlights of the Alumni s presence at Convention Hall of Fame inductees on stage in Mariucci Arena, UMN school or college. This year s recipient was Finton Stehr of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA Alumni. Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame The Minnesota FFA Alumni Association recognized eight inductees to the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame. These inductees join the over 160 members that have been inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame over the past 11 years. The FFA Hall of Fame is a collaborative effort between the Minnesota FFA Association, Alumni, and Foundation. The Outstanding New Affiliate award is given to an alumni group that recently chartered into the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association and has made great strides in their beginning years. This award was given to the Kenyon-Wanamingo FFA Alumni. The 2015 Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame inductees include: Senator Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls; Chuck Erickson of Benson; James Gibson of Mankato; DelRay Lecy of Underwood; Timothy McNamara of Farmington; Lowell Ross, Deceased, of Albert Lea; and Lee Thompson of Goodhue. Finally, an Outstanding FFA Alumni Affiliate is awarded to an entire alumni group that has worked to increase membership and is very involved in their local FFA chapter and community. This award was given to the Paynesville FFA Alumni. Past State Officer Gathering FFA Alumni Awards Along with the Minnesota FFA Foundation and the FFA Association, the FFA Alumni hosted the Minnesota Past State Officer Gathering. This reception provides a great opportunity for past state officers to get together and reminisce on their term as a state FFA officer. Outstanding members of the Minnesota FFA Alumni were recognized at the third general session of the Minnesota FFA State Convention. These awards were also announced at the FFA Alumni Annual Conference on March 5th, The Outstanding FFA Alumni member award is awarded to someone who has made significant contributions to the Alumni Association on the local and state level. This year s recipient was Jim Ertl, Executive Secretary of the Minnesota FFA Association Stop N Shop The MN FFA Alumni runs the Stop N Shop at Convention. Headed by alumni members Nancy Dahlman and Judy Barka, the shop allows FFA members to shop around for FFA shirts, key chains, and various other items. This is a great fundraiser for the alumni, and is one of the most seen gestures of the FFA Alumni at Convention. The Outstanding Young FFA Alumni award gives recognition to an individual who is new to the FFA Alumni Association and recently graduated from high 3

4 What are your goals and plans for the upcoming year? As I was thinking of the main topic for this newsletter the theme that kept coming to me was Goals and Program of Activities for your affiliates. Only one percent of adults actually put goals on paper. Organizations that develop a plan as a team and put it on paper and work towards the plan are 95% more likely to achieve those goals. President Harmon Wilts Eight years ago I really didn t realize what it meant to be a member of the National FFA Alumni and Minnesota FFA Alumni organizations. Things I have learned since then include that National FFA Alumni and MN FFA Alumni are very passionate at supporting Ag Education and FFA. If you need help with your affiliate or chapter just call and you will have lots of help. Taking your administrator to National and State Convention will make a difference in your school. I have seen this first hand, changing the attitude of administrators about AG Education and FFA. There are many other opportunities that the Alumni provides, but maybe the most valuable is the Leadership Scholarships given to FFA members to attend local, state and national leadership conferences. These are leadership-building events that help students with life long leadership skills. What can I do if I am interested in supporting Agriculture, Ag Education and FFA? In my opinion this is the best time of the year to really get involved with your local Ag Education and FFA chapter. As school starts many chapters are beginning their year-long plan and this a great time to learn what you can do to help the local chapter. Many times they need your financial assistance. The biggest need across the state however is really your skills. Most chapters could use help with SAE s and CDE s. If you have an FFA Alumni Affiliate make sure you are inviting the local FFA Advisor and Chapter officers to your meetings and have them speak on topics such as their POA or chapter needs. With my experience, by having each officer/ffa member speak at you meetings, you will develop a great relationship with the local FFA organization and in turn they will know you and will ask for help when the need arises. The vision of the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association is a world where people and communities can grow and develop to their fullest Potential. The Mission of the Association is to secure the promise of the FFA and agricultural education. If you want to get involved and support Ag Education/FFA please go to mnffaalumni.com and look for your local affiliate. Leave us an and we will help you out. What are your Goals and Plans for the upcoming year? 4 MN FFA Alumni has been very active this summer. It all started at the State FFA convention as we celebrated a great year with FFA and MN FFA Foundation and all of our great Agricultural friends. Also thank you to all the local FFA Alumni members that are helping secure the promise of FFA and Agricultural Education.

5 Outstanding Young Alumni Member 2015 Flinton Stehr The 2015 Outstanding Young Alumni Member for the Minnesota FFA Alumni is Flinton Stehr of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA alumni affiliate. members. He is active in fundraising. Flinton was also instrumental in pushing the Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA alumni affiliate to seek out donations from local businesses. While in high school, Flinton was an FFA officer for three years, and his leadership has continued as he has transitioned into a strong member of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa FFA Alumni. Having been an FFA member, Flinton can compare experiences with current members, provide ideas for the chapter, and encourage members to become more involved in FFA. He gives his support because he wants every FFA member to be able to take advantage of all the opportunities FFA provides. Not only is he able to engage the members of the FFA chapter, he is also able to do the same with the members of the FFA alumni. Without his ideas and hard work, the Zumbrota-Mazeppa affiliate would not be able to serve their FFA chapter at the high level that they currently do. Stehr served on the ZM alumni affiliate council for one year before becoming the affiliate s treasurer. He is in his second year with this position. Flinton was a charter member of his affiliate and his ideas have provided thousands of dollars for them to allocate to FFA 5

6 State Convention Newsletter 2015 Upcoming Events Aug. 27-Sept. 7 MN State Fair Sept. 5 FFA Day at the State Fair Sept. 19 Ag & Food Day at Gopher Football Oct National FFA Convention March 5 FFA Alumni Annual Conference Minnesota FFA Alumni Mission: The mission of the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association is to secure the promise of FFA and agricultural education by creating an environment where people and communities can develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Minnesota FFA Alumni Vision: The vision of the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association is a world where people and communities can grow and develop to their fullest potential. Don t forget mark you calendars for the MN FFA Alumni Annual Conference taking place on March 5th, It will be held at Farm America, near Waseca, Minnesota. MN FFA Alumni Officers President: Harmon Wilts Region 1: OPEN (Contact Steve Olson) President Elect: Jim Burns Region 2: Aimee Brichacek Secretary: Chicky Otte Region 3: Charles Erickson Treasurer: Fred Troendle Region 4: Cara Soper Membership Coordinator: Mary Buschette Region 5: Lynn Suter Past President: Judy Barka Region 6: Theresa Welu Region 7: Jill Grams Region 8: Stacy Fritz Rep At Large: Marjorie Schleper Contact Us Minnesota FFA Alumni Association PO Box Roseville, MN mnffaalumni@gmail.com Newsletter by Katie Wilts Minnesota FFA Alumni Intern