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&VIEWSNEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS, INC. WWW.NAAE.ORG
Volume XLVV No. 2 March/April 2007
It is hard to believe how agriculture and technology has changed over the years.We can attribute these changes to many factors, but mainly the need for increasedproduction has been the driving force for advancements in the field. As educators ourrole has changed also. We can no longer teach only the basics and still expect ourstudents to excel in the workplace. We must adapt our instruction to present the mostup-to-date technology and practices available as well as provide our students thehands-on training they need to be productive. How can we accomplish this? One wayis by taking advantage of as many professional development opportunities as possible.We can find valuable courses and training sessions that will fit our needs and objec-tives. Our state and national organizations are a great place to look for professionaldevelopment. There are many individuals out there who put in a great deal of time todevelop activities that will better prepare us to teach. Take advantage of these offer-ings.
It was great to see many of you at the National Agricultural Education Inservice inIndianapolis. We had the issues and challenges facing agricultural education presentedto us. Please become involved in supporting agricultural education and help it growand prosper for our future students. We can�t wait � one of my colleagues made astatement that really brings out the importance of acting now. He said, �The studentsin my ninth grade class are the teachers of 2015.�
It is going to take effort and cooperation from all agricultural educators to makesure that we have a good supply of well-trained future educators.
As spring passes fast and we move into regional conferences, please take advan-tage of the great programs they will have to offer. Our regional vice presidents andregional secretaries, along with the host state representatives, are working very hard toprepare conferences that will benefit all.
I am looking forward to a great year with NAAE and agricultural education. Mayyour spring be filled with success and your goals be reached. If we may be of serviceto you, please contact us.
Keeping Your Edge ThroughProfessional Development
President�s MessageIn This Issue
Lee James, Mississippi2006-07NAAE President
2006 NAAE Conference attendee NickiJones (KY) participates in one of the
many professional development workshopsthat took place during the week
Keeping Your Edge ...................... 1
The Importance of Professional
Development ............................ 2-3
Promote Your Talents ................... 4
Rule Changes for NAAE Awards . 4
NAAE Regional Meetings ............ 5
Outstanding Mentor ...................... 6
Outstanding Young Member ........ 6
Ideas Unlimited ............................ 7
Regional Updates ..................... 8-9
FFA Alumni Pilots Advocacy
Program ...................................... 10
Choice Hotels Has New Benefit for
NAAE Members ......................... 10
Washington Beat ......................... 11
NAAE Hosts Visitors from the
Republic of Georgia ................... 12
Page 2 March/April 2007
Did you know that teachers who invest just 10 percent oftheir time in professional development are more likely to beeffective teachers, and more likely to stay in the teachingprofession? (For more on this research, check out the Region IIupdate on page 8.) Ten percent is a minimal investment,especially when you consider the amount of time it takes just tostay abreast of the changing technologies in agriculture today. Ifan agriculture teacher works 240 days a year, that would meanthat he or she would devote less than one month to learning newteaching techniques, increasing knowledge, and developingskills. The huge return on such a small time input makesprofessional development a very worthwhile investment. Besides the fact that it�s required by most school systems,continuing your education and expanding your knowledge baseis the only way to ensure that your classes contain information
and activities that relate to the needs of today�s students. Many states offer opportunities for professional develop-ment on the local level, but to really get the most bang for yourbuck, don�t stop at your state�s borders. It never hurts to expandyour horizons and try new venues � after all, isn�t that whatyou�re always encouraging your students to do?
The Importance of ProfessionalDevelopment
Continuing Your Education
Find a Professional DevelopmentWorkshop that Meets Your Needs
One of the best places to find a wide variety of profes-sional development offerings is at the annual NAAE convention.At the 2006 convention, over 35 different workshops wereavailable, on topics ranging from plant breeding to GoogleEarthto food science. After each convention, certificates are sent toanyone who attends a workshop and requests credit. Theamount of credit depends on the length of the workshop. The2007 convention in Las Vegas will offer even more opportuni-ties. A listing of workshops will be posted on naae.org beforethe convention so you can plan your time accordingly.
AgrowKnowledge 2007 Faculty DevelopmentWorkshopsMay 4-5 -- Introduction to GPS/GIS Ag. ApplicationsBurlington County College, Mt. Laurel, NJ
This workshop will provide introductory skills in GPS andGIS as applied to agriculture. Participants will learn the use ofGPS for simple data collection and GIS for displaying maps ofthis data. The workshop will focus on fundamental exercise thatcan be used in the classroom to teach these concepts. Registra-tion is free for New Jersey agricultural educators, or $50.00 forout-of state participants. Lodging, transportation, and Fridaynight meal costs are not included in the registration fee. NewJersey schools with approved (3-component) agriculturaleducation programs can apply for a grant to cover these costs.For more information, go to www.naae.org/links/workshops.June 27 to 29 -- Tying Entrepreneurship Skills to Math,Science, Technology and Agriculture; Pappajohn BusinessCenter, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Participants will receive an overview of entrepreneurshipincluding innovation and creativity, opportunity recognition/idea
March/April 2007 Page 3
evaluation, marketing/market research, finance, and businessoperations as they relate to agriculture. Successful agriculturalentrepreneurs use math, science, and technology skills todevelop and grow their businesses. This workshop will reinforcethe principles with hands-on activities allowing participants tofurther internalize the concepts presented. Participants will learnhow to guide their students through the process of identifyingand developing agricultural business opportunities. Participantswill receive access to business planning curriculum and re-sources.July 18 to 20 -- Alternative/Renewable Energy; ParklandCollege, Champaign, IL
Workshop will deliver an overview of most all alternative/renewable forms of energy. Topics covered will include:essential energy knowledge, bio-fuels (bio-diesel, ethanol, andmethane), wind power, solar power, geothermal, and hydrogenpower/fuel cells. Participants will receive hands-on activitiesand curriculum. To reinforce workshop learning field trips toalternative energy sites are also planned.July 25 to 27 -- Math Chemistry and Geology of PhosphorusFertilizer Production; College of Southern Idaho, TwinFalls, ID
Workshop will focus on phosphate production and impactsits mining and use have on the environment. Participants willlearn what P is, where it comes from, what it is used for, its fatein the environment, and what environmental impacts areassociated with mining and manufacturing. Students will haveclassroom instruction, hands-on experience manufacturing P,performing analysis, field trips to a phosphate mine and a tourthrough a P fertilizer processing plant. Guest lectures fromindustry and regulatory agencies will add insight as well.Physical and chemical tests will be performed using the TexasInstruments programmable calculators and analysis probes �versatile instruments ideally suited for classroom and field useby students investigating a wide array of scientific principles.
One University of Idaho graduate credit is available for allworkshops at a cost of $77.Check the AgrowKnowledge website at www.agrowknow.orgfor additional details and registration.
Lincoln Welding School Teacher Observer ProgramThe Teacher Observer Program at Lincoln Welding School
is for welding instructors who want to sharpen their classroomtechniques, hands-on welding skills, student booth tips, andtroubleshooting. Instructors who are planning to add welding totheir program are also welcome. The program allows instructorsto observe any of the school�s week-long welding courses toenhance their current teaching methods. Different classes aretaught each week. Courses can be basic or on specific topicssuch as alloy, TIG, MIG, etc.
The program is a five-day technical class with 10%classroom and 90% hands-on activities. It is free for instructorsto observe a class for one week a year. Participants will receivehandouts from the course and one set of welding books.
For more information, contact Lincoln Electric at216-383-2259, [email protected] or visitwww.lincolnelectric.com.
Briggs and Stratton VoEd Teacher SchoolsEach summer Briggs & Stratton conducts Factory Service
Training for Vo-Ed Instructors. These schools cover not only theoperation and theory behind Briggs & Stratton air-cooledengines, but also offer specific insights in developingteaching aids such as carburetor cut-aways and other ideas.There are a number of additional educational opportunitiesavailable to instructors of air-cooled gasoline engine courses.These schools are conducted at different times during the year.
The University of Wisconsin Stout is offering graduate andundergraduate level credits for teachers attending the week longB&S VoEd teacher schools. Please contact Lana Berge at 715-232-2696 for an information packet.
For more information about the Briggs and Stratton FactoryVoEd Teacher schools, go to www.naae.org/links/workshops.
Go to www.naae.org/links/workshops to find even moreprofessional development opportunities. We�re constantlyupdating!
Page 4 March/April 2007
NAAE Awards Have RuleChanges for 2007
Alissa SmithNAAE AssociateExecutive Director
Every agriculture teacher understandsthe importance of promoting your agriculture
program and FFA chapter. But how you promote your programis different from state to state and chapter to chapter. Newslet-ters to alumni and supporters, news releases to the local paper,volunteering in the community, and holding open houses arecertainly all very good ways to publicize the great thingshappening in your program.
How many of you have thought of promoting your programby showcasing your talents as a teacher? I know, I know�.agteachers are in it for their students, not to gain recognition forthemselves. But sometimes you can gain just as much recogni-tion for your program by promoting your own talents as ateacher. Each year, the NAAE offers agriculture teachers the oppor-
tunity to spotlight their talents and their programs through ourawards. Between the Teacher Turn the Key, Outstanding YoungMember, Outstanding Ag Ed Teacher, Outstanding Middle/Secondary Ag Ed Program, Outstanding Postsecondary/AdultAg Ed Program, Teacher Mentor, and Ideas Unlimited awards,you are sure to find something that fits you. Each state has itsown guidelines for selecting winners, so contact your state agteacher�s association president for details. State winners arethen eligible to compete in their respective regional contests, andwinners of the regional contests will win a trip or travel stipend(depending on the award area) to the 2007 NAAE Convention inLas Vegas next December.
Don�t forget as you encourage your students to fill out andcomplete their State FFA Degrees and proficiency applicationsthat you also need to expect the same from yourself as a teacher.Take time to complete a NAAE award application. You mayfind that you have met your goals as a teacher and can work todevelop new goals. That is the same thing we challenge ourstudents to do as they complete their award applications. Youcan find all of the applications on our website at www.naae.org/awards/applications. Please make sure all state winning applica-tions are sent to the NAAE office postmarked by May 15.Good, luck and I hope that you take the time to evaluate, reward,and promote your talents as a teacher.
Promote Your Program byPromoting Your Talents
There have been a few changes to awards applications for2007.� All applications must include a CD with digital images of
both the applicant(s) and the activity or program. Thismust also include a photograph of the applicant(s) forpublicity purposes.
� Teacher Turn they Key � applicants must at the time ofapplication be in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of teachingto be eligible. This applies to any subject they may havetaught, not just agriculture (i.e. if you taught biology forfive years, but agriculture for only two, you are not eligiblefor this program.)
� Upper Division Scholarship � This scholarship will nowbe awarded to students only during the semester in whichthey are completing their student teaching. Applicants mustbe student teaching during the 2007-2008 school year toapply for the 2007 scholarship.Please keep in mind that most awards applications must first
be submitted to your state association for judging. Most statewinning applications must be in to the NAAE office by May 15,so your state�s deadline is probably approaching fast. For acomplete listing of all NAAE awards, as well as details abouteach program, visit www.naae.org/awards/applications.
March/April 2007 Page 5
NAAE Regional MeetingsGet Involved
Regional Conferences Offer GreatOpportunities
Take the opportunity to learn, network and share withfellow agricultural educators in your area at the 2007 NAAEregional conferences. Each of the six NAAE regions putstogether meetings that include professional developmentopportunities and association activities in a family-friendlyenvironment. Take the opportunity to meet leaders from othernearby states and build relationships that may be beneficialmany years down the road.
Region I � April 25-28, Cody, Wyoming Hosted by the Wyoming Vocational Agriculture TeachersAssociation (WVATA), this meeting will focus on the 10x15initiative. Tours will include the Pitchfork Ranch and theBuffalo Bill Museum. The NAAE Region I conference isunique in that it is held concurrently with the regional confer-ence for the American Association for Agricultural Education,and some joint sessions on current issues facing agriculturaleducation will be conducted. There are flights into Cody, butattendees might want to check flight prices to Billings, MT andget a rental car for the 1 ½ hour drive south to Cody. For aregistration form, go to www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region1.html.
Region II � June 17-20, Pittsburg, KansasKansas, It Will Blow You Away, is the theme for Region
II�s 2007 conference. Attendees will gain knowledge throughmany tours, including B&W Truck Beds, Strickler Dairy, AgEngineering Associates, O�Brien Feedlot, DEPCO Ag. Educa-tion Products, Politron Ag. Manufacturing, Pittsburg State Tech.Center, Riverton Ag. Ed. Department, KMT Waterjet CuttingSystems, Show-Me-Birds, and an equine chiropractic demon-stration. Family activities are also planned, including tours tothe Big Brutus Electric Coal Shovel and Mined Land, and theWildlife Area Museum. In addition to the many educationaltours, entertainment is planned for each day, and will include agolf tournament, sporting clays, live bands in the evenings, andlots of great food. For more details, visit www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region2.html.
Region III � June 18-20, Sioux Falls, South DakotaRegion III�s conference will kick off with a golf tourna-
ment, and then will get down to business with educational toursto the EROS Data Center for Geographical Satellite Mapping
and Hematech Therapeutic Antibodies. The conference willinclude NAAE business sessions, agriculture education andFFA updates and professional development workshops. Socialactivities will include the 2007 Ag Stupid Stuff games and lotsof family fun, including a water park located in the conferencehotel. www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region3.html.
Region IV � June 25-27, Detroit, MichiganThose who attend the Region IV conference in Detroit will
have the opportunity to go charter fishing on one of the GreatLakes, as well as visit Corsica Park for a sports turf grass tour.Attendees will also be able to visit Eastern Market, the largestopen-air wholesale and retail market of its kind in the U.S., seethe Better Made potato chip factory, and attend a Detroit Tigersbaseball game. www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region4.html
Region V � June 18-20, Montgomery, AlabamaThis year�s Region V conference will feature a tour of
historic downtown Montgomery. There will be many opportuni-ties for professional development, as well as for networking withagricultural educators from nearby states. Attendees will shareprogram ideas by presenting entries in the Ideas Unlimitedcompetition, and the upcoming NAAE national conference inLas Vegas, December 11-15, 2007 will be discussed.www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region5.html.
Region VI � July 10-12, Monroe, NJ Region VI conference attendees will participate in severalNAAE business sessions, interspersed with professional devel-opment workshops and awards judging. The conference willwrap up with agricultural tours of New Jersey. www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region6.html.
Region IV Conference attendees will havethe opportunity to take a food science tour
of the Better Made Potato Chip factory
Page 6 March/April 2007
Outstanding Mentor
SpotlightProfessionals making a difference
Diane Runde2006 Teacher Mentor WinnerRegion III
Diane Runde, an agricultural sciences teacherat Janesville Craig High School in Janesville, Wiscon-sin, trained as a WAAE new teacher mentor in 2002,and has since mentored four new agriculture teachers.Two with whom she has worked recently are RickHenningfeld, also of Janesville Craig High School, andAdam Wehling of Evansville High School. All threeteachers feel that the mentor/mentee program is abeneficial and extremely useful tool to help each otherimprove teaching techniques and FFA activities. Inaddition to her work in Wisconsin, Runde presented aworkshop on how to develop a mentor/mentee programfor other state associations at the 2004 NAAE Convention in Las Vegas.
Henningfeld and Wehling said, �Great teachers care abouttheir students, their subject matter, and their colleagues. Diane
models greatness in all three of these areas. It is evident whenwitnessing interaction between Diane and her students that shegenuinely is interested in the lives of her students. This interestbuilds instant rapport and a trust level that allows for manypragmatic educational experiences.� Through Runde, Henningfeld and Wehling have learned
how to communicatewith parents, train FFAofficers, conduct fruitsales, utilize facilities,and much more.Henningfeld andWehling have alsobeen able to gain anabundance of ideas,materials, personal
contacts, and insight of Wisconsin agriculture.
Runde is the 2006 Region III Teacher Mentor Awardsprogram winner. For more information about the NAAETeacher Mentor award, contact NAAE at (800) 509-0204 or [email protected]. The Teacher Mentor Award is sponsored byCEV Multimedia of Lubbock, Texas.
Runde gives Wehling pointers on the production offlower baskets for downtown Evansville, Wisconsin
Outstanding YoungMemberMichael Vestal2006 OYMRegion V
Michael Vestal from Decaturville, Tennessee,returned to his alma matter in 2000 as an agricultural scienceinstructor. When asked about his return to Riverside HighSchool, he explained, �I wanted to give back to a program andcommunity that had given so much to me.� Vestal is currentlypart of a two teacher program that offers courses in agriscience,forestry/wildlife management, agriculture leadership, andagribusiness sales and services. Being very involved in agricul-tural education since his high school days, Vestal stronglybelieves that agricultural education and the FFA can change anyindividual�s life in a positive way if they are willing to put forththe effort and accept the change.
Vestal genuinely enjoys working with his students andseeing them mature into the premier leaders of the community.He also strives to meet the needs of all his students so that theiropportunities to succeed have been fully maximized. He hasincreased opportunity for success by expanding the number of
available FFA events, as well as Supervised Agriculture Experi-ence (SAE) projects. Vestal�s dedication to his students hascreated a great deal of student commitment to the program, andhis program currently boasts 100 percent membership in theFFA and participation in SAEs. Vestal has also worked dili-gently to ensure community support. He has helped increase thelocal FFA alumni and establish a regional FFA alumni associa-tion, both of which have led to increased financial support.
Vestal was selected as the 2006 Region V OutstandingYoung Member. For more information about the NAAE�sOutstanding Young member award program, which is sponsoredby John Deere, contact the NAAE office at (800) 502-0204 or [email protected].
March/April 2007 Page 7
Artificial Insemination BuffetMark Lemon2006 Ideas UnlimitedWinner Region V
Mark Lemmon, an agricultural sciences teacher at Clark County R-1 High
School in Kahoka, Mo., was looking for a way to get studentsmore interested in the subject matter in his advanced livestockclass.
Lemmon likes to incorporate hands-on learning techniques,especially with activities that include cooking or eating experi-ments, and as a result created the artificial insemination buffet.The activity simulates the process of artificially inseminating acow by using spaghetti and meatballs, corn, mashed potatoes,and food coloring to simulate the feel of a reproductive tract.
Lemon begins his unit by bringing in reproductive tractsfrom slaughtered heifers so students can see what the actualorgans look like. The insemination buffet is the culminatingactivity.
Students simulate the activity of artificially inseminating thetract, and in the process learn to properly handle and thawsemen, as well as how to pass an artificial insemination gunthrough the cervix and reproductive tract.
Lemmon is the2006 Ideas Unlimitedaward winner forRegion IV. For moreinformation onLemmon�s artificialinsemination buffet,you can e-mail him [email protected]. Do you have agreat classroom idea?Tell us by entering the NAAE Ideas Unlimited award program.To learn more, call the NAAE office at (800) 509-0204 or sendan e-mail to [email protected] Ideas Unlimited Awardprogram is sponsored byThomson Delmar Learning. www.delmarlearning.com
Ideas UnlimitedGreat Ideas You Can Use
Page 8 March/April 2007
Regional UpdateRegion IRegion I Region IIRegion II Region IIIRegion III
Kevin Fochs, Region I VPEmail: [email protected]
Tom Hofmann, Region III VPEmail: [email protected]
Kathy Conerly, Region II VPEmail: [email protected]
Greetings! I have just returned fromthe NAAE board meeting and would liketo address the following issues.
Region III needs to step up andcontribute to the Crisis Relief Fund. Iwould like for each state to contribute$500.00 to the fund by the Region IIIconference. I believe that programs likethe Crisis Relief Fund are what setsNAAE apart from other teacher organiza-tions.
NAAE award applications are nowavailable on the NAAE website atwww.naae.org/awards/applications. Istrongly encourage each state to have amember apply for all areas. Applicationsfor each state NAAE award winner mustbe submitted to the NAAE office by May15th.
The Region III conference will be inSioux Falls, South Dakota, June 18-20.To register online, go to sdffa.k12.sd.us/Region3/Registration Form.htm. Contactthe hotel directly to make your reserva-tions for lodging, and inform the hotelthat you are part of the block of roomsreserved for the Region III conference. The hotel information is available atwww.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region3.html by clicking on the confer-ence flyer link. Let�s have record-breaking attendance. Bring your family.Get involved in your state and regionalmeetings. Bring a new teacher. Betteryet, bring a student teacher.I have been doing some brainstorming onthe mentoring program that is oftendiscussed by our members. I have two
A lot of thought and energy has goneinto answering the question, �What is aneffective teacher?� To be an effectiveteacher, one must strive for knowledge.In The First Days of School, Harry K.Wong tells us that teachers who investjust 10 percent of their time in profes-sional development are more likely to beeffective teachers, and more likely to stayin the teaching profession. They becomebetter armed with tools of the trade � bothtechnical learning and classroom manage-ment ideas. Wong goes on to say that teacherswho get involved with professionalorganizations are also more successful.They benefit from the professionaldevelopment through conferences andconventions. Moreover, they gain fromcreating a support network of contactteachers with whom to share ideas andstrategies. (Just think of all the timeswe�ve borrowed ideas from, or shared ourideas with another teacher at meetingsand conferences!) Over the next few months, we haveseveral opportunities to improve oureffectiveness as teachers in Region II.Each state has its annual conference thissummer. It�s a great opportunity to growprofessionally and network with areateachers. If you can�t attend your own,think about going over to a neighboringstate�s conference. You can find links toeach state organization on the NAAEwebsite, at www.naae.org/affiliates/states. The NAAE Region II conference,�Kansas, it will blow you away,� is in
I enjoyed visiting with many of you atthe National Agricultural EducationInservice. It�s great to see the forwardthinking that takes place there each year.For those of you not in attendance, themain theme of the inservice was focusedon having 10,000 quality agriculturaleducation programs by the year 2015. If our profession is really going tomake a dent in the 10 X 15 proposal weare going to have to take a very proactiveapproach. Everyone must be on the samepage working together. Our board met and acted on the busi-ness that came from the committee workcompleted in Atlanta. A few but not allof the changes highlighted include:
� Beginning in 2008, state entries inthe Ideas Unlimited contest will bejudged at Regional Conferencesbased on a presentation.
� NAAE will be revising the Teach AgEd Brochure.
� NAAE will encourage teacher educators who are AAAE members tobecome more involved in our annualconference, perhaps by presentingworkshops.
� NAAE will provide mentoringinformation on the NAAE website.
� At the 2007 convention in Las Vegaswe will not be hosting prearrangedtours.
Have a good one.
continued on pg. 12 continued on pg. 12
March/April 2007 Page 9
Regional UpdateRegion VIRegion VI
Sally Shomo, Region VI VPEmail: [email protected]
Region VRegion VRegion IVRegion IV
Ray Nash, Region V VPEmail: [email protected]
Greg Curlin, Region IV VPEmail: [email protected]
It is time to mark your calendars forthe Region IV Conference in Detroit,Michigan, June 25-27. It is scheduledwith events for you as well as yourfamily. You can find the full agenda atthe NAAE website (www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region4.html).Members will discover sessions rangingfrom turfgrass to food science, and willenjoy the opportunity to attend a Tigersbaseball game. Registration covers meals,transportation, and the Tigers� ticket.
I�d like to encourage you to take alook at the 10x15 plan in agriculturaleducation. The goal is to reach 10,000active programs by 2015. As a profes-sional, we need to take a look at ourclasses and ask, �Who here might make agood agriculture instructor?� In additionto recruiting, we need improve theretention rate in our profession. It is timeto encourage our younger generation tostay active in the profession. Perhaps calland ask the new or less active teacher youknow to attend workshops and summerconferences.
As we walked away from theNational Agricultural Education Inservicein Indianapolis, I began to think about thegoals and objectives of the conference.As state leaders, we need to share newinformation with our individual statemembership. It isn�t every teaching areathat allows teachers to share our concernsand issues as does agricultural education.
I hope to see many of you at thespring and summer conferences. Contactme with any issues or concerns. Have asafe travel season!
Having just returned from theNational Agricultural Education In-service, I can tell you I was happy to getback to the warmer south. Although thetemperature outside never reached 20degrees, the topics inside were hot off thepress. Discussions focused on the 10 X15 Initiative, and more directly, thestrategic priorities for reaching theinitiative�s goals. As NAAE members thegoal on which we can have the greatesteffect is teacher recruitment. Each of ushas students in our programs who wouldmake great agriculture teachers. Pleasebe an encourager to those young peopleand get them in contact with your state�sagriculture teacher educators. Recruit-ment begins at home.
As spring rolls around, many of youare looking at ways to increase yourprofessional knowledge, get somecontinuing educational credits forlicensure, or just to refresh and refineyour teaching methods. If you are insearch of such opportunities, you are sureto find many from which to choose.
Let�s not forget Alabama is cookingup a great regional conference for RegionV in Montgomery. Registration, hotel,and meeting information are also avail-able at www.naae.org/affiliates/regionsIVI/region5.html.
As in my last update, do not forgetspring is also the time to apply for theteaching and program awards offered byour organization. All applications areavailable for you at www.naae.org/awards/applications. Have a great spring!
Take a step forward. That�s thebeginning. We ask our students to do it,so why is it any different for us, theagricultural educator? The first step isprofessional development. Conferencesand workshops offer opportunities toenhance what we do. Go online andcheck out the NAAE website to seewhat�s available that will help youdevelop your skills. Take a personalchallenge to make yourself a betterinstructor and increase your program�squality standards. Take the step!
Our Region VI Conference will beheld in Monroe, New Jersey, July 10 -12.Join us as we learn, network and sharewith fellow educators from Region VI.Check out the website for more informa-tion; www.njaea.org. Also, plan onattending your state conferences as wellas the NAAE national convention thisyear. We are going to be in Las Vegas,December 11-15.
It�s that time of year again for awardapplications. Start now! The deadline forstate winning applications to be in theNAAE Office is May 15. Also, we needto work on membership. If every statecould increase their membership by atleast 10 percent � WOW! Let�s do it!
A belated welcome to our newregional secretary, Ken Couture fromConnecticut, and a big thanks to KristaPontius from Pennsylvania for her yearsof service and dedication to Region VI asregional secretary.
Let me know if I can be of service toyou as you plan your state conferencesand activities. Take care, be special andtake that step forward�
Page 10 March/April 2007
The National FFA Alumni Asso-ciation is in the process of introducing anew program that will help secure thefuture of agricultural education inschools across the United States.Advocates for Agricultural Education(AAE) is a local advocacy programwhose goal is to build a grassroots
advocacy network across the entire country, with a primarypurpose of supporting and sharing the importance of agriculturaleducation with elected officials at all levels of government.
Although FFA Alumni members are being especiallyencouraged to get involved in AAE, any interested individual iseligible to participate. Eventually, each state will have an AAEcoordinator, as well as several district coordinators. Theseindividuals will compile a list of constituents in each legislative
district who are willing to correspond with their elected officialsabout issues in agricultural education. When an ag education-related issue arises, the district or state coordinators will contactthe constituents via e-mail. This communication will includedetails on why contact with elected officials is needed, and howsoon that contact must be made. It will then be the responsibil-ity of the volunteers to make personal contact (via e-mail,phone, etc.) with their local elected officials.
By having an organized network in place before an impor-tant issue arises, communication can be quickly initiated, andlegislators alerted when agricultural education requires attention.
The Advocates for Agricultural Education program wil bepiloted in Georgia beginning in April, with the eventual goal ofhaving the program in place in all states.
For more information about AAE, contact Frank Saldana,Executive Director at [email protected].
Advocacy News
FFA Alumni Association Pilots New Advocacy Program
Member Services
The National Association of Agricultural Educators haspartnered with Choice Hotels International to offer members agreat travel saving benefit. Members are able to take advantageof a 15% discount at over 5,000 participating Comfort Inn®,Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStaySuites®, Econo Lodge®, and Rodeway Inn® brand hotelsworldwide! Make reservations conveniently by booking onlineat choicehotels.com or by calling our toll free number 1-800-258-2847. In order to get this discount you must book inadvance and reference the National Association of AgriculturalEducators Special Rate Identification Number 00801373.
You can now earn triple the rewards starting with yoursecond stay. This spring, choose triple Choice Privileges®points or triple Airline Rewards with Choice HotelsInternational�s 11 airline partners starting with your second staybetween February 1st and April 30th.* There�s no limit to howmany rewards you can earn at any Comfort Inn®, ComfortSuites®, Quality Inn®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites�or MainStay Suites® hotel in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean orMexico. Remember, the Choice Privileges rewards program iseasy, fast and free to join.
The news gets even better! You can take advantage of boththe promotion and the NAAE�s 15% discount! Make reserva-tions conveniently by booking online at www.choicehotels.com
or by calling 800-258-2847. You must book in advance andreference the NAAE Special Rate Identification Number andyour personal Choice Privileges® Identification Number. Tobecome a Choice Privileges® member go towww.choiceprivileges.com and get your personal ChoicePrivileges® Identification Number. Subscribe to the SOSSentinel, a complimentary e-newsletter, to get the news aboutpromotions, Choice Hotels International property information,new choicehotels.com features and more! Please make sure tonote that you are a NAAE member.
*Earn triple Choice Privileges points or triple AirlineRewards for qualifying stays beginning with your second staywith arrival between February 1 and April 30, 2007. A stay isdefined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotelregardless of check-ins or check-outs. You must notify the frontdesk at time of check-in whether you choose to earn points orAirline Rewards. See choicehotels.com for information onposting of points or Airline Rewards and other details. **Termsand conditions apply. See choicehotels.com for details.
Choice Hotels Offers NAAE Members New Benefit
March/April 2007 Page 11
Wm. Jay JackmanNAAE Executive Director
Washington BeatNews From Capital Hill
Administration�s FY 2008 Budget Request--Perkins Funding Cut in Half The Bush Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2008budget request on February 5, 2007. The $2.9 trillion budgetproposes to cut funding drastically for the Perkins Act, alongwith a number of other education programs. This is to fundadditional increases in No Child Left Behind targeted towardshigh schools, as well as new voucher programs. The budget request proposes to fund the Perkins Basic StateGrant program at only $600 million, approximately half of itscurrent amount. Also, under the proposal, funds for the TechPrep program are completely eliminated. To see how much yourstate is estimated to lose, you can review a chart provided byACTE at this website: www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/funding_08.cfm. The $56 billion Department of Education budget wouldeliminate or consolidate a total of 45 programs, and would cuteducation funding overall by $1.5 billion from the estimated FY2007 levels. The Bush Administration called for 25 percent cuts to thePerkins Act in FY 2004 and FY 2005, and proposed tocompletely eliminate Perkins funding in FY 2006 and FY 2007.While Congress wisely rejected these proposals in the past, theprogram has not seen a substantial increase in funding since FY2002, and the President�s new proposed cuts, if enacted byCongress, would cause harm to the newly reauthorized program.Take Action to Prevent Loss of Funds
Please keep in mind that the President of the United Statesrecommends a budget to the United States Congress. It is theCongress that decides the bulk of the federal budget. It iscritical that agricultural education advocates communicateclearly to members of Congress the importance of the Perkinsprogram. Increases in appropriations for Perkins programswould be excellent. Level funding for Perkins programs wouldbe acceptable. Cuts in Perkins program appropriations woulddevastate not only agricultural education programs, but all CTEprograms. Contact your members of Congress in the United StatesHouse of Representatives and the United States Senate byphone, fax, or e-mail. (Regular mail is not a good option.) Let
them know that while you support increased emphasis on highschool improvement and economic competitiveness, it shouldnot occur at the expense of other programs, such as Perkins,which are already successfully improving high schools andpreparing students for the 21st century economy. Explain that agricultural education is a part of our nation�scareer and technical education system. When career andtechnical education funding is cut, agricultural educationprograms are cut. Perkins funds are used for important education and jobtraining programs in a variety of settings, including communityand technical colleges. Cutting Perkins funding and funneling ittoward a general high school program not only hurts existinghigh school CTE programs, but would harm these postsecondaryprograms as well. For more on how to word communications about the PerkinsAct with your local policymaker, go to: www.naae.org/advocacy/action.State Legislative Action Alerts Thanks to sponsorship from the National FFA AlumniAssociation, the NAAE Legislative Action Center now includesinformation on all state legislatures as well as the United StatesCongress. In addition, NAAE can post state legislative alertsand sample messages for your state legislators addressinglegislative issues specific to your state. If you want to takeadvantage of this service for your state�s issues, please contactDr. Jay Jackman at [email protected] or at (800) 509-0204.Ag Ed Advocacy During National FFA Week NAAE Executive Director Jay Jackman and National FFAPresident Beau Williamson spent two days on Capitol Hillduring National FFA Week promoting agricultural education andthe FFA with key Congressional leaders. We continue to beencouraged by the support agricultural education has on CapitolHill. Please take every opportunity to develop relationships withyour members of Congress so agricultural education can expandits influence with the United States Congress. Don�t forget toinvite your members of Congress and their staff to attend yourlocal ag ed/FFA events this spring. If you invite them, they willcome!ACTE National Policy Seminar Ag Ed Strand We are eager to welcome agricultural educators to join us forthe ag ed strand of the ACTE National Policy Seminar (NPS) inWashington, DC March 5-7. We are grateful to Archer DanielsMidland and the National FFA Alumni Association for theirsponsorship of the Ag Ed Leadership Dinner during the NPS.
Page 12 March/April 2007
&&News ViewsNews & Views is published bi-monthly
by the NAAE, Inc. as a service to itsmembers.EDITOR
Julie [email protected]
NAAE, Inc.300 Garrigus Bldg.
University of KentuckyLexington, KY 40546-0215Phone: (800) 509-0204 or
(859) 257-2224Fax: (859) 323-3919
Website: http://www.naae.org
SUBMISSIONSTo submit letters to the editor or to send
article queries or manuscripts, [email protected].
ADVERTISINGInformation on purchasing advertise-ments in News & Views is available
online at http://www.naae.org/about/NVadvertising/index.html
NAAE BOARD & STAFFPRESIDENT
Harold [email protected] I VICE PRESIDENT
Kevin Fochs...... [email protected] II VICE PRESIDENT
Kathy [email protected] III VICE PRESIDENT
Tom [email protected] IV VICE PRESIDENT
Greg [email protected] V VICE PRESIDENT
Ray [email protected] VI VICE PRESIDENT
Sally [email protected] DIRECTOR
Dr. Wm. Jay [email protected] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alissa [email protected]/MARKETING COORDINATOR
Julie [email protected]
Dates & EventsNational Agriculture Week -- March 18-27, 2007 -- www.agday.org
NAAE Region I Conference -- April 25-28, 2007, Cody, WYNational Farm Management Conference -- June 11-14, 2007, Rochester, MN
NAAE Region II Conference -- June 17-20, 2007, Pittsburg, KSNAAE Region III Conference -- June 18-20, 2007, Sioux Falls, SD
NAAE Region IV Conference -- June 25-27, 2007, Detroit, MINAAE Region V Conference -- June 18-21, 2007, Montgomery, Alabama
NAAE Region VI Conference -- July 10-12, 2007, Monroe, NJNAAE Summer Board of Directors Meeting -- July 16-18, 2007, Washington, D.C.
NAAE Convention -- December 11-15, 2007, Las Vegas, NV
Pittsburg, Kansas this year, June 17-20.The Kansas teachers have put together anexcellent conference with some greateducational tours. Our conferences arefamily friendly and have activities foreveryone, so mark your calendars forthose days. If you�re a veteran teacher,encourage someone new to join us!Registration forms are on the NAAEwebsite, or contact your state presidentfor more information. In closing, remember to make sureyour program, or someone who is a greatsupporter, gets the recognition deserved.Apply for an NAAE award. Applicationsare on the website. Many are due May 15.Good luck!
Region II Update...from pg. 8
Region III Update...from pg. 8ideas that might help Region III take thelead in teacher retention. First, why nothave a member exchange within our stateconferences? I would like to see eachstate send two members to each of theother five state summer conferences.What an opportunity to exchange ideasbetween states. Secondly, I would like tosee each state represented by studentteachers at the Region III conference.
In closing, it�s easy to come up withnew ideas; the hard part is letting go ofwhat worked for you two years ago, butwill soon be out of date. Let�s be leadersin our profession by meeting the goals ofthe 10x15 initiative proposed by TheCouncil. You can do it, we can help.
NAAE Hosts Visitors fromthe Republic of Georgia Two representatives from the Repub-lic of Georgia�s Institute of PublicAffairs, Georgia Rural DevelopmentProject (GIPA GRDP) visited the centralKentucky area in early February as part ofan ongoing project with the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture. They werehosted by NAAE on a tour of agriculturaleducation programs in the area.
Kate Natriashvili and NestanTsitsishvili, both GIPA GRDP employ-ees, are working to improve agriculturaleducation in Georgia at the post-highschool and university levels. During theirvisit to the U.S., they toured agriculturaleducation facilities in the states ofGeorgia and Kentucky, met with repre-sentatives from the USDA, and took timeto briefly learn about how the Coopera-tive Extension Service works in theUnited States. Natriashvili andTsitsishvili also planned the next year of aportion of their project with Mike Reed,an agriculture economics professor at theUniversity of Kentucky. They madeplans for a number of extension agents,undergraduate students, and agriculturaleducators from the U.S. to visit Georgiain 2008. The goal of these visits will be towork with the agricultural technicalcolleges in the Republic of Georgia onteaching methods, curriculum issues, andassessment methods.
