Proceedings, 1997

Agricultural Education Trends
We recommend that the FFA:
Today's Youth Are Tomorrow's Leaders
1 .
Reconstructe the PALS program to include
shorter-term programs, better education of advisors, publicity
through FFA New Horizons and the Official FFA Manual, and
award recognition.
2 Create a Made For Excellence/Leadership Program for eighth
grade and younger students.
3. Make recruitment videos and FFA member presentations more
available to junior high/middle school teachers and also create
and distribute to parents an informational FFA packet/video.
4. Educate administrators about FFA, potential leadership classes,
job shadow programs, and agriculture work experience. Send
these individuals invitations to the state and national conventions.
5. Establish an urban-to-rural exchange program for first-year
agriculture students.
Blending Agriculture and Technology in the Classroom
1 Have video broadcasting of the national convention on the
Internet.
2. Develop an interactive technology area as part of the career show.
3. Emphasize technology in appropriate career development events
(CDE).
4. Promote receiving science credits for agriculture classes.
5. Add a section on technology in Local Program Success.
6. Add a technology site to the FFA homepage.
Obstacles with Agriculture Teachers
1 Provide software programs and resources for independent study
programs in agricultural education which would satisfy require-
ments for FFA membership.
2 Provide software which would enable advisors/instructors to keep
accurate records of membership, fundraisers, etc.
3. Investigate multiple-year membership options as well as com-
puter roster options.
4. Develop a National Collegiate FFA Association to prepare future
agricultural education instructors.
5. Add an Agricultural Education CDE that would include preparing
and presenting lesson plans in a mock classroom situation.
6. Suggest an Agricultural Education Co-op program to fulfill Co-op
requirements.
7. Compile informative materials on agricultural education careers
which would include facts such as regional salaries, job availabil-
ity, etc., to be sent to potential agriculture instructors. Also have
this information available through a business reply card in FFA
New Horizons and the FFA homepage.
Membership Diversity
1 . Add the following career development events at the national level:
showmanship, computers, soil conservation, environmental, job
interview, agricultural education, and leadership. Fhe leadership
CDE would include preparing presentations on recruitment, goal
setting, administrative visits, etc.
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2. Recognize Oklahoma Land Use/Homesite/Range CDE winners on
the national convention stage.
3. Add the following question to the Creed Speaking CDE, " What is
your personal interpretation of the creed?"
4. Have the national FFA staff promote unique agriculture courses
stated on the roster of class information to give other teachers
ideas.
5. Implement a teachers' computer education inservice.
6. Publicize unique agricultural education classes in FFA New
Horizons, Making A Difference, and the national FFA homepage.
7. Publish informational pamphlets/newsletters with job opportuni-
ties in the agricultural industry.
8. Add aquaculture and safety proficiency awards.
9. Publish an informational brochure about the benefits of agricul-
tural education and the FFA to be sent to guidance counselors
and administration.
10. Expand the "Growmg the Presence..." urban initiative program to
include other urban areas.
11. Establish a pre-high school camp at the state level to target
students not aware of the FFA.
12. Establish an Ethnic Diversity Involvement Award.
13. Begin the "What is..." campaign that works to improve FFAs
image. This campaign should include television and radio spots.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Bollinger, Wl (Chair)
Lesley Taulman, IN (Vice Chair)
Andrew Campbell, NY
Justin Maddock, ND
Lillian Wafford, IN
Leslie Siefka, Ml
Clifton Shearrer.TX
Christopher Scott, NM
C.J. Kersey.TN
Dusty Holley, FL
Nick Hemling.WI
Andrea Elliott, CA
Carson Brown, AL
Travis Brorsen, OK
Joy Hess, PA
Katie Klein, NV
Todd Ward, TX
Robin Simmons, IA
Nichole Murry, OK
Jason Morris, MS
Eric Lonjak.AL
Sara Lane, NC
Krista Jimenez, CA
Matt Chambless, GA
Shay Bluntzer.TX
Lori Kenley.AK
Danielle Cox.WY
Stephanie Powers, CA
Heather Hoffmeister, MO
Jared Harrell.TX
Lynnette Hall.VA
J.D. Gentry, KY
Ellen Downing, ID
Morris Crill.AR
Joel Coffman, OH
Bobbie Jo Cauffman, PA
Elizabeth Kaiser, NH
Andres Villalobos-Salgado, PR
SheriYoungblood.AR
Josh White, CA
Janice Poorman, OH
Breanne Nelson, IL
Jimmy Loveday.TX
Barret Hargrave, LA
Suzanne Cummnings.WV
Paul Crawford, SC
Christoper Arnold, NE