D I V I S I O N O F A G R I C U L T U R A L E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R M A Y 2 0 1 6 Congratulations to our Division of Agricultural Education Graduates!! Spring Commencement May 7, 2016 Kyle Gavin MS Agricultural Education Eric Hoffman MS-Agricultural Education Laurel Anderson BS-Agricultural Education Relations/Elementary Education K-8 Austin Barstow BS-Agricultural Education Relations Austin Jones BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching Veronnaka Klamert BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching/Plant Science, Crop Science Sarah Maninger BS-Agricultural Education Relations Kalee McRae BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching John Park BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching Haley Richards BS Agricultural Education Relations Neil Schott BS-Agricultural Education Relations Tieler Soumas BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching Kimberley Suta-BS-Agricultural Education Relations Lindsey Wilson-BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching Chase Younkin-BS-Agricultural Education Relations
M A Y 2 0 1 6 P A G E 2 What will you do after graduation? What was your favorite thing about attending MSU? What made you choose your major? Veronnaka Klamert BS-Agricultural Education Broadfield Teaching/Plant Science, Crop Science I plan on going to work for my family's business after graduation. One of my favorite things about going to MSU was attending the Ag scholarship banquet every year. It was amazing to see all the support for the college of Ag, a great time to catch up with friends and enjoy delicious food. I picked my major because I love plants and have an agriculture background so Crop Science seemed like a great fit and then I decided to add on the teaching degrees because of my love for helping people. The friends I made in the COA made the experience all the better. Haley Richards BS Agricultural Education Relations I plan to become an Ag. Agent with MSU Extension. My favorite things about attending MSU are the people I have met in my classes, and the relationships I have built. My favorite memory was putting on a youth day-camp workshop with the cannulated cow and teaching about ruminants! I chose my major because it included diverse classes for a career where you can learn something new each day and work with down-to-earth people. Kimberley Suta-BS-Agricultural Education Relations I recently accepted a job with the MSU Extension in Toole County, Montana. I will be moving to my home of Shelby/Cut Bank. I am very excited! Before starting my job, I will be traveling to Italy and France with 13 other students in the AGBE 315 class. My favorite thing/memory of attending MSU has been attending the football games, the in class field trips, trips to Texas, Nashville, and Kansas City with Range Club and Young Farmers & Ranchers Club, and all the friends I've made in the last four years. My dad influenced me to study agriculture. I have always been involved in 4H and I grew up on a farm, so it only made sense to continue what I learned growing up at the farm for my future career. I just love how the College of Agriculture is like one big family. I am happy that I got to spend these years with you and I look forward to sharing my passion of agriculture after graduation and promoting the COA and MSU.
Over 1,600 members and guests attended Montana FFA s 86 th Annual State Convention March 30 th April 1 st in Bozeman, Montana. The Montana FFA State Convention hosted 10 career development events, general sessions and workshops during the four-day event. The winning teams earn the opportunity to compete at the National FFA Convention which will take place this fall in Indianapolis, IN. New State FFA Officers were selected and are as follows: Albert Koenig President from Belgrade, CJ Stevenson - 1st VP from Moore, Jon Andres - 2nd VP from Missoula, Ashley Koenig - Secretary from Belgrade, Josh Meyer - Treasurer from Great Falls, Kacie Cummings -Reporter from Cascade, Brock Reiner - Sentinel from Flathead (Kalispell), and Jake Michels - Parliamentarian from Shepherd. Missoula FFA took home the Team Sweepstakes award, while the Flathead FFA earned the title of Star Chapter for the second year in a row. Caroline Roeder of Choteau was named the Star Greenhand with Livia Jackola from Kalispell, announced as the Star in Agribusiness. Montana s Star in Agriculture Placement went to Chloe Williams of Great Falls and Kacey Bertolino of Joliet earned the title of Star Farmer. Over 250 Day of Service participants teamed up with 14 locations in the Gallatin Valley to lend a helping hand. Locations where members volunteered included Eagle Mount, Heart of the Valley, the History Museum, and several Bozeman parks. The combined work effort of these student volunteers totaled over 500 hours to improve the city of Bozeman, as well as community businesses and organizations. Montana Business and Industry representatives from around the state were in attendance as sponsors for the event as well as promoting their organization during the two-day FFA Tradeshow. The Montana FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information please contact the Montana FFA Association for upcoming events and ways to get involved. For contact information visit the Montana FFA website at montanaffa.org
MAY 2016 PAGE 5 FFA Convention 2016
M A Y 2 0 1 6 P A G E 6 The Division of Agricultural Education Annual Banquet Our Division banquet was held at the Baxter Hotel on April 21, 2016. We celebrated our accomplishments, successes and goals attained this year. The 2016 Montana Chapter of the Fraternity of Alpha Zeta Award for the Outstanding Freshman in the College of Agriculture was presented to Joshua Toft. Collegiate FFA Awards were handed out by Collegiate FFA President, Justin Wright. Outstanding Freshman: Caleb Bowey Outstanding Sophomore: Joe Jenson Outstanding Junior: Justin Wright Outstanding Senior: Casey Palmer Outstanding New Member Scholarship: Caleb Bowey Outstanding Returning Member Scholarship: Neela Andres Division Head, Tracy Dougher thanked the entire Ag Education faculty, Dr. Carl Igo, Dr. Shannon Arnold, and Dr. Dustin Perry for their passion and hard work for the Division of Agricultural Education. Tracy then presented the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit to Dr. Dustin Perry. Thank you to all the students from the Montana Chapter of the Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, The Collegiate FFA and the Agricultural Education Club who worked so hard to plan and host the banquet. You all did an excellent job!
M A Y 2 0 1 6 P A G E 7 Grant Awarded! Dr. Shannon Arnold submitted a proposal for the Instructional Innovation Grant: Agriculture Across Disciplines: Engaging Montana School Children in Agriculture Education through Museum of the Rockies Field Trips and Beyond. This proposal was fully funded at $2000. Thank you Shannon for your ongoing effort to enhance teaching and learning for Montana s school children! Important 2016 Dates to Remember April 29 - Last day of classes May 2-6 - Final examinations May 7 - Spring Commencement May 16 - Jun 24 - First summer session June 27 - Aug 5 - Second summer session August 29 - First day of fall classes Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this newsletter!