National FFA names National Chapter Award winners LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The top National Chapter Award winners were named at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday, Oct. 30. The top winners are selected in the following categories: Student, chapter, community and outstanding middle school. The nation’s top 10 three-star chapters compete for the award in each category. All chapters that receive national three-star ratings are then eligible to compete for the National Model of Excellence Chapter Award. The following 2014 awards were announced: •Ponchatoula FFA Chapter in Louisiana was named the Model of Excellence winner. •Oakleaf FFA Chapter in Florida was named the Model of Innovation winner in student development. •The Nation Ford FFA Chapter in South Carolina was named the Model of Innovation winner in chapter development. •The Shenandoah FFA Chapter in Indiana was named the Model of Innovation winner in community development. •The Altha Middle FFA Chapter in Florida was named the Outstanding Middle School winner. The National Chapter Awards are sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. It is one of the many ways FFA members accomplish the FFA mission and succeed in making a difference in their communities and the lives of others. Growth Energy announces multi-year support for FFA INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Growth Energy, a company that represents the producers and supporters of ethanol, recently announced support of the National FFA Organization and agricultural education as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The multi-year sponsorship, a first-time gift to the organization from the company, was immediately launched with teacher and student workshops presented by Growth Energy last week at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, in Louisville, Ky. In addition to the workshops, funding from Growth Energy will help support TeachAg and Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE), which are programs focused on agriculture educator recruitment and retention and curriculum development. Also included in the gift is support for the national organization’s online personalized career exploration and development resources called “My Journey.” Support for Washington Leadership Conference, an annual event focused on developing students’ leadership skills and service to others, is also included in the sponsorship. Applicants sought for Michigan dairy ambassador program EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in the dairy industry have until Jan. 9, 2015, to apply for the 2015 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program. “The Michigan Dairy Ambassador Program offers leadership development opportunities to more future dairy professionals than ever before,” said Michigan Dairy Ambassador program coordinator Alex Schnabelrauch. “It is incredibly rewarding to be part of a program that prepares youth to be first-rate representatives of the dairy industry.” Up to six candidates from each division will be invited to attend a daylong training on Feb. 6, the second day of the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) in Frankenmuth, Mich. Attendees will be equipped with the messaging and training needed to communicate effectively with consumers, in-person and online, as 2015 GLRDC Dairy Ambassadors. A panel of industry judges will evaluate each ambassador on the basis of his or her application, introduction and participation throughout the training to select one junior (grades 9-12) and one senior (college students up to age 22) dairy ambassador representative. Representatives will be the primary faces and voices of the dairy ambassador program at a variety of dairy-related educational, industry and promotional events held across the state. A $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to the senior representative, and $1,000 will be awarded to the junior representative. Students interested in applying can download an application at http://glrdc.msu.edu/ambassadors or contact Megghan Honke at 517-884-7089. Applications must be submitted electronically to honkemeg@anr.msu.edu and will be accepted until Jan. 9. The 2015 GLRDC will be Feb. 5-7 at the Bavarian Inn Lodge and Conference Center in Frankenmuth. For conference schedule and registration information, visit www.glrdc.msu.edu or contact Megghan Honke. |
