God Bless the USA

This video highlights the FFA Alumni members week in Washington, D.C. We have so much to be thankful for in the many blessings we receive each day and the freedom we have.

New Photo Album

A new photo album has been created with Flickr that includes all the faboulous photos from the National FFA Alumni State Leaders Conference. More photos are being added so check back often. Click on the link below to view the photos.

2008 State Leaders Conference Photo Album

Partnerships in the FFA Alumni

During a workshop on Thursday afternoon FFA Alumni members learned more about partnerships available with the National FFA Alumni. Lucy Whitehead and Amber Smyer presented information about United Country Real Estate, Tractor Supply Company and Toyota. All three companies are supporters of the FFA Alumni and are available to assist with local affiliates.

More about Tractor Supply Company
TSC is currently financially supporting the State Leaders Conference and National FFA Alumni Convention. TSC provides 20 - $1,000 local program support grants for FFA chapters with alumni affiliates, sponsor the job interview and career development events, provides opportunities for chapters and alumni to host events in parking lots and host FFA promotional days at store openings where FFA members are encouraged to attend.

More about Toyota
Toyota is financially supporting the State Leaders Conference and National FFA Alumni Convention. Toyota also sponsors and created the Can Hunger - Million Can Challenge to fight hunger through out the nation. States in the million can challenge are encouraged to partner with local dealerships. Toyota has also
provided trucks for parades and allowed the use of their dealerships for can collection sights. Also, Toyota sponsors Collegiate Tailgates that provides exposure to college students and keeps them engaged with FFA.

More about United Country Real Estate & Auction Services
United Country Real Estate is one of the newest alumni partners. In 2007 United Country conducted the National FFA Alumni Live Benefit Auction at National FFA Convention and simultaneously broadcast the auction online for people at home to bid. They are also encouraging their local franchises to partner with local FFA and FFA Alumni affiliates to host fundraisers.

FFA Alumni members are proud of the partnerships with these three companies and local chapters can build relationships with these companies through SAE placement, utilizing their resources, job placement, guest class lecturers and mentoring.

Congressional Visits

FFA Alumni members visited with their Congressional Representative earlier today. The alumni members support agricultural education and helped to raise awareness of the role agricultural education and FFA plays in the United States. FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Agricultural education is a part of Career and Technical Education. Federal support of the Perkins Career and Technical Education program helps make this program possible for nearly 1 million students studying agricultural education and agricultural sciences. Today there are nearly 1 million students entrolled in over 7,300 Agricultural Education programs in public schools across the nation.

Learn more about FFA and agricultural education at www.ffa.org.

Taste of the States

A “Taste of the States” quickly became a highlight of the National FFA Alumni State Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Alumni members were asked to bring food products from their home state to share with other attendees. Products ranged from Georgia peanuts to Wisconsin cheese, and turkey jerky to home-made pepper jelly. This event provided alumni members with an opportunity to meet others frome each state and learn more about the alumni association in each state. The food was delicious and the time to meet and greet was wonderful too. Thanks to everyone that brought food for this event.

Arlington National Cemetery

FFA Alumni members have been busy touring the Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery.  The FFA Alumni presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Those presenting on behalf of the alumni were Ronnie Ansley, President; Monte Ladner, Past President; Sam Atherton, president elect; and Greg Gosen, Minnesota FFA Alumni member. The wreath was made with blue and gold flowers and had a FFA Alumni ribbon across it. Presenting the wreath was truly an honor for the four alumni representatives. 

During the afternoon the group met with Congressman Mike Pence, R-Ind. Congressman Pence provided the group with a tour of Capitol.

FFA Alumni members arrive in D.C.

FFA Alumni members from across the U.S. arrived on Tues. to Washington, D.C.  To kick off the event alumni members picked up their registration materials Tuesday afternoon as they were greeted by the National FFA Alumni Council.  Tuesday evening the group enjoyed the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial and then a reception sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. A photo album of the week-long activities will be loaded soon so be sure to check back. 

SLC Sponsors

2008 SLC Sponsors

The National FFA Alumni State Leaders Conference kicks off today. FFA Alumni members will have an exciting week touring Washington, D.C., visiting with their congressional representatives and learning more about opportunities available through the FFA Alumni. The event would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of Tractor Supply Company, Toyota and Farm Credit Services.

State Leaders Conference

This blog has been created to provide information and photos regarding the National FFA Alumni’s 2008 State Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. The event is being held July 15-20, 2008. This is a wonderful opportunity for FFA Alumni members to meet and discuss issues facing the FFA and FFA Alumni with members from across the country.  Participants will strengthen their affiliates and FFA chapters through workshops, congressional visits, speakers and group activities while at the same time taking in the sites and history of D.C.!  Check back often for photos and more information on what the FFA Alumni members are doing and learning while in D.C.