Wisconsin FFA

Wisconsin FFA Center's Weekly Newsletter

WISCONSIN FFA UPDATE - News In Brief
A weekly update on Wisconsin FFA activities from the Wisconsin FFA Center, Inc.

For the week of June 15, 2009

1. State FFA Convention - THANK YOU!!
2. State FFA Honors Band, Chorus and Talent Members Nominated for National Participation
3. New State FFA Officers Starting BLAST OFF Training
4. National Chapter Award Applications Sent Back to Chapters
5. 2009 Wisconsin Association of FFA Sectional Safe Tractor Operator Contests
6. 2009 State FFA Safe Tractor Operator Driving Contest
7. 2009-10 Wisconsin FFA Center Affiliation Fee Invoices
8. State Fair Chaperones Needed
9. Judges Needed for National FFA Competitions - Creed, Prepared and Extemporaneous CDEs
10. Don't Miss Out On The Wisconsin FFA Foundation Golf Outings
11. National CDE Deadlines
12. Wisconsin State Fair Entries
13. Did You Know??
14. Quote of the Week
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Upcoming Activities:
June 15-18 State FFA Officer BLAST OFF Training - Spencer
June 17 Section 8 Safe Tractor Operators Contest - Bowler High School
June 19 Section 1 Safe Tractor Operators Contest - Spooner Ag Research Station
June 19 Section 2 Safe Tractor Operators Contest - Spooner Ag Research Station
June 19 Section 3 Safe Tractor Operators Contest - West Salem High School
June 22-26 NLCSO - Grand Rapids, Michigan
June 29-July 2 WAAE Professional Development Conference - Madison
July 21 State FFA Safe Tractor Operator Contest - Farm Technology Days - Dodge County
July 21 State FFA Land Evaluation Contest - Farm Technology Days - Dodge County
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State FFA Convention - THANK YOU!!
Thank you to everyone for making the 80th State FFA Convention a great success! Attendance was 3,417 members, advisors and guests. We were excited to have a successful "Day of Service" - thank you to Beth Rieth, Melissa Copas and all the sponsors of that program. We had another successful School Officials Program. We conducted the pilot of the FFA High School Quiz Bowl competition. We hope everyone enjoyed the sessions, workshops, tours, and LifeWork™Expo. Congratulations to all of the award winners!! Highlights of the State FFA Convention are posted on the Wisconsin FFA website http://www.wisconsinffa.org. Check out the announcements and photos of the convention highlights and award winners.

A special thank you to the 2008-09 State FFA Officer team for their hard work and dedication in pulling together this grand celebration. In addition, thank you to the managers and past state officers that assisted in helping things run smoothly. We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication of our teachers, members, alumni, sponsors and judges. Thank you for assisting wherever you could to help the convention run smoothly. We hope that you and your students enjoyed the celebration!!

If you are interested in any photos from the state convention, you can go to the following website and order photos of your choice http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/dangelo De'Angelo Photography Studio from Menomonie was the official Convention photographer sponsored by the Wisconsin FFA Foundation, Inc.

Finally if you would like to order DVDs of the convention sessions, attached is the order form from Premier Printing and Media. The forms can be mailed to:
Premier Printing & Media
400 S. Central Ave
Marshfield, WI 54449
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State FFA Honors Band, Chorus and Talent Members Nominated for National Participation
This is a reminder that any of the members in the State Honors Band or Honors Chorus or those that were nominated at the State Talent Competition must have their national applications and auditions postmarked to the National Directors by July 1. Members were given an envelope with a statement and signature to include from state staff. If however they did not receive that envelop, the members must contact State Staff immediately for a signature on their form. Many Wisconsin FFA members have been selected to participate in the National Band, Chorus and Talent programs over the years. We encourage your members who were nominated to consider the opportunity to participate in the National FFA Convention.
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New State FFA Officers Starting BLAST OFF Training
The 2009-2010 State FFA Officers started their first official training on Monday with BLAST OFF. This week they will be focusing on developing their skills in serving as a state officer. The week of June 22, they will be headed to Grand Rapid, Michigan for the National Leadership Conference for State Officers. Summer is a busy time for the state officers and there is much travel, training and team building. If you have a difficult time reaching the officers or myself, we are on the road. We will assist you as quickly as we can in between all of the summer activities.

The 2009-2010 State FFA Officer Team
President - BJ Chrisler, State Vice President, Sauk Prairie
Section 1 - Leah Christenson, State Vice President, Amery
Section 2 - Kersten Konder, State Treasurer, Glenwood City
Section 3 - Jessica Klinkner, State Vice President, Cashton
Section 4 - Adam Moore, State Vice President, Black Hawk
Section 5 - Tyler Franklin, State Vice President, Evansville
Section 6 - Caitlin Roberts, State Reporter, Portage
Section 7 - Jeanie Untiedt, State Sentinel, Colby
Section 8 - Andy Moravec, State Vice President, Clintonville
Section 9 - Kim Schadrie, State Parliamentarian, DePere
Section 10 - Alicia Hodnik, State Secretary, Big Foot
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National Chapter Award Applications Sent Back to Chapters
If your chapter's National Chapter Award application was selected to move on to National FFA competition, we mailed those to the chapters. The National Chapter Award applications need to be reviewed and updated before being sent on. Please check over your application to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or other mistakes - comments from the judges were included. All National Chapter Award applications need to be returned no later than Monday, June 29 to Cheryl Zimmerman.
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2009 Wisconsin Association of FFA Sectional Safe Tractor Operator Contests
The following dates have been scheduled and confirmed for the Wisconsin Association of FFA Sectional Safe Tractor Operator Contests. More dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
Section 1: Shell Lake - June 19 - Spooner Ag Research Station
Section 2: New Richmond - June 19 - Spooner Ag Research Station
Section 3: Holmen - June 19 - West Salem High School
Section 4: Black Hawk - June 12 - Sauk Prairie High School - Completed
Section 5: Brodhead - June 12 - Sauk Prairie High School - Completed
Section 6: Sauk Prairie - June 12 - Sauk Prairie High School - Completed
Section 7: Abbotsford - June 12 - Colby High School - Completed
Section 8: Weyauwega-Fremont - June 17 - Bowler High School
Section 9: Denmark - May 16 - Plymouth - Completed
Section 10: Johnson Creek - May 30 - Mid - State in Watertown - Completed

Encourage your students to get involved in this competition as it is an excellent opportunity for students who are skilled in operating tractors and through this contest helps them become more proficient in their driving and understanding of safe operation skills. More information about the contests will be sent to you from the hosting advisor and state officer. An updated Safe Tractor Contest Manual is posted on the Wisconsin FFA website http://www.wisconsinffa.org/pg-contests.php

A winner is selected in each section and those individuals move on to the State competition which will be held Tuesday, July 21 on site at the Farm Technology Days in Dodge County.
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2009 State FFA Safe Tractor Operator Driving Contest
The 2009 State FFA Safe Tractor Operator Contest will be held on Tuesday, July 21 at the Farm Technology Days site in Dodge County. After all the Sectional Contests are completed this summer, more information will be sent to the advisors of the Sectional Winners.
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2009-10 Wisconsin FFA Center Affiliation Fee Invoices
The 2009-10 Wisconsin FFA Center Affiliation Fee invoices will be handed out at the WAAE Professional Development Conference in Madison. If you will not be in attendance, they will be sent to your school address. Make sure to note the due date for payment of September 11 listed on the invoice. The 2009-2010 Affiliation Fee is $300.00 Thank you for your support of the Wisconsin FFA Center.
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State Fair Chaperones Needed
The State FFA Honors Band and Honors Chorus will be performing at the State Fair August 13-16 in West Allis. We are in need of at least five more female chaperones for this group. Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older. All lodging, meals and fair admission is paid for. You will need to provide transportation to and from the fair as well as parking. Please let Cheryl Zimmerman know as soon as possible if you are interested in serving as a chaperone or know of a parent, alumni member or other individual who would like to assist. We will then forward all of the necessary paperwork in order to get these individuals registered.
We have six female chaperones that have volunteered at this point. Male chaperones are covered with the directors and assistant directors.
Mary Nelsen
Alyssa Paulsen
Dale Gibson
Linda Burton
Jeanna James
Katie Lincicum
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Judges Needed for National FFA Competitions - Creed, Prepared and Extemporaneous CDEs
Annually Wisconsin has to submit the names of individuals who are willing to serve as judges for the National FFA Creed, Prepared Speaking CDE and the Extemporaneous Speaking CDE. Individuals who are willing to volunteer to serve as a judge would need to arrive in Indianapolis on Tuesday evening and Wednesday of the National FFA Convention depending on which contest you would judge. Please let Cheryl Zimmerman, State FFA Executive Director know as soon as possible if you are interested in judging so National FFA can be notified and more information can be sent out to those judges.
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Don't Miss Out On The Wisconsin FFA Foundation Golf Outings
Love to golf or just wanted to always give it a try and support a great cause at the same time? Whether you are an expert or amateur doesn't matter!! Come enjoy yourself either in in Eau Claire on July 20 or Cottage Grove on July 27 or both!!! Contact the Wisconsin FFA Foundation at http://www.wisconsinffafoundation.org/golf.html or call (608) 831-5058 to sign up and enjoy a fun day, great conversation, prizes and raise money for Wisconsin FFA/Agricultural Education programs.
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National CDE Deadlines
For those individuals and teams competing in various CDEs at National Convention, please note the following due dates. These documents need to be sent to the National FFA Center.
June 26: Final CDE Certification Forms and Waivers sent to the Wisconsin FFA Center
Aug.15: Prepared Public Speaking Manuscripts due
Sept. 15: Agricultural Communications Portfolios due
Agricultural Issues Portfolios due
Job Interview Portfolios due
Marketing Plan Portfolios due
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Wisconsin State Fair Entries
The dates for the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair are August 6 -16! FFA youth from throughout the state are encouraged to participate in this year’s Fair. Entry information can be found at www.wistatefair.com or by contacting the Wisconsin State Fair County Youth Participation Contact (usually the county UW-Extension 4-H or Ag agent). As the FFA advisor you are required to sign a “Youth Organization Form” for each of your respective members who wish to exhibit in the 2009 Wisconsin State Fair. Please see attached document identifying the procedures and forms they will need to be recognized as a member in good standings with your local FFA chapter. If you have any questions please contact Wisconsin State Fair at entryoffice@wisconsin.gov .
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Did You Know??
The Wisconsin FFA Weekly Updates will not be arriving every week throughout the summer as I will be working with and traveling with state officers to various events. We will do our best to keep getting the information to you throughout the summer. Make sure to drop an e-mail if you have any questions or you are looking for information.
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Quote of the Week
"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others." - Jack Welch
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Have a great week!!!

Cheryl L. Zimmerman
Wisconsin FFA Executive Director
Wisconsin FFA Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 110
Spencer, WI 54479
Phone: 715-659-4807
Fax: 715-659-5865
E-mail: wiffacenter@tznet.com

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.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race,
religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status,
sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.