February 2009, FFA New Horizons

What a week! Post your National FFA Week news at… ffanewhorizons.org

Swimming in AquacultureTexan gets her feet wet in new agricultural fi eld

Members stand out at 81st National FFA Convention

More About MoyaNew FFA president always wanted blue corduroy jacket

FFA®

NEW HORIZONST H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E N A T I O N A L F F A O R G A N I Z A T I O N | F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 9

State ScoopRead special inserts from other associations in State Scoop.

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issue? Click on

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archived editions.

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WEB POLL

What’s your

favorite social

activity for chapter

members to do

together?

Bowling

Hayrides

Tailgates

Chapter meetings

Barn dances

Movie nights

Vote online at

ffanewhorizons.org.

Polls change

regularly, so

visit often!ffanewhorizons.org

Watch our videos from the 81st National FFA Convention. You might see someone you know!

To comment on articles and our convention blog.

“THE RUGBY FFA CHAPTER WON THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE CONTEST IN

OCTOBER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE WON

SINCE 2000!”

– Zachary Rameden, Rugby, N.D.

Go online to submit your FFA experiences.

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Convention CoverageVisit ffanewhorizons.org and click on the Convention Page to see

photos, read blogs and more from the 81st National FFA Convention.

2 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

On the CoverNational FFA Chorus performs at 81st National FFA Convention. Photo By J. Kyle Keener

6 20 22

JULIE WOODARD Editorial Director KIM NEWSOM Managing Editor JOYCE CARUTHERS Copy Editor JESSY YANCEY Assistant Editor KELLIANN BLAZEK, ANDREA BLOOM, Contributing Writers REBECCA DENTON, KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO, RYAN VADEN KEITH HARRIS Creative Director BRIAN McCORD Senior Photographer JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, Staff Photographers ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER NATASHA LORENS Production Director CHRISTINA CARDEN Associate Production Director MELISSA HOOVER, Production Project Managers KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT LAURA GALLAGHER, Senior Graphic Designers CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER Graphic Designers MARCIA BANASIK, SARAH MILLER, Ad Traffic PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY GARY SMITH Distribution Director BRIAN SMITH Web Development Director ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ Web Project Managers FRANCO SCARAMUZZA Web Design Lead RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ Web Designers JENNIFER GRAVES Web Production TWILA ALLEN Color Imaging Technician KRISTY MEYER, AMBER STRIEGEL FFA Communications RAY LANGEN Executive Vice President CARLA H. THURMAN Sr. V.P./Sales CASEY E. HESTER Sr. V.P./Operations MARK FORESTER V.P./Visual Content TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./Editorial Director JEFFREY S. OTTO Photography Director BETH MURPHY Advertising Sales Manager, Custom Division JOHN LACEY Integrated Media Manager RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY Custom/Travel Sales Support RACHEL MATHEIS Sales/Marketing Coordinator

For advertising information, contact John Lacey, (800) 333-8842, ext. 281, or e-mail [email protected].

2008-09 National FFA Officers PAUL MOYA, NM President NESSIE EARLY, CA Secretary HANNAH CROSSEN, OH Eastern Region Vice President LAILA HAJJI, OK Central Region Vice President REGINA HOLLIDAY, GA Southern Region Vice President RILEY BRANCH, TX Western Region Vice President

National FFA Staff LARRY CASE National Advisor, Chief Executive Officer STEVE BROWN Executive Secretary DOUG LOUDENSLAGER Chief Operating Officer MARION FLETCHER National Treasurer JULIE ADAMS, MARK CAVELL, Division Directors DALE CRABTREE, TOM KAPOSTASY, JANET MALONEY, DENNIS SARGENT, KENT SCHESCKE, VICKI SETTLE, LEE ANNE SHILLER, TONY SMALL, BILL STAGG, WILL WAIDELICH

National FFA Board of Directors – Members LARRY CASE Chair, USDE, VA STEVE BROWN Secretary, USDE, VA MARION FLETCHER Treasurer, State Supervisor, AR ROBERT B. CALVIN Agriculture Teacher/USDE, MO WILBUR CHANCELLOR State Supervisor, MS THOMAS DORMODY Teacher Educator/USDE, NM DENNIS FISCUS State Supervisor, AZ IKE KERSHAW State Supervisor, OH BRUCE LAZARUS FFA Executive Secretary/USDE, AR JOEL LARSEN State Supervisor, MN JOHN RAKESTRAW Business Representative/USDE, CO

Subscription Information:FFA New Horizons (ISSN 1069-806X) is published Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct. and Dec. by the National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art or any other unsolicited materials. For subscription information contact: FFA New Horizons Subscription Services, (317) 802-4235 or e-mail [email protected]. Periodical postage rate is paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and additional mail offices.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to FFA New Horizons, P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960.

C U S TO M M A G A Z I N E M E D I A

Copyright© 2009 by the National FFA Organizationand Journal Communications Inc.

The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

®NEW HORIZONSThe magazine of the National FFA Organization

FFA Volume 57 Number 3

3FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FEBRUARY 2009 Contents

14

8 cover story

Swimming in AquacultureLearn about this new career field.

They Deserve a HandMore than 50,000 members stand out at the 81st National FFA Convention.

4 FFA FacesMeet members from across the country.

6 ScrapbookRead news, jokes and more.

12 National Officer Q & AMeet President Paul Moya.

18 Healthy LifestylesLearn to balance your responsibilities.

20 What’s HotRead how FFA members are going green.

22 What’s OnWatch “FFA Today” every week.

24 Back TalkSail with Navy officer Justin Floyd.

TN

AZ

SC

DE

TX

NC

OK

As a high school sophomore, Josh has developed a successful

business through his turf grass management SAE, taking top

honors in the state proficiency award area. He also participated

in the FFA Creed Speaking CDE, was a member of the National FFA

Band and currently serves as his chapter’s chaplain. Josh plans to

expand his lawn care company after college.

Josh ConawayChapter: Ringwood FFA

A high school junior, Stephanie is an active leader of her local

chapter. She was a member of the parliamentary procedure team,

served as chapter vice president and earned her Chapter FFA

Degree. She plans to attend a university to major in agricultural

education and hopes to return to her home area to guide an FFA

chapter of her own.

Stephanie PowellChapter: Marvin-Ridge FFA

Jacob, a high school senior, has developed an impressive SAE in

livestock production through ownership of a steer, heifer and pigs

that he exhibits at local and state shows. He also competes in

many CDEs, including livestock evaluation and rice judging. He

plans to attend Texas A&M University to major in wildlife

recreation management or agribusiness.

Jacob LunaChapter: Hardin-Jefferson FFA

This high school freshman joined FFA to gain the same leadership

skills her dad and brothers developed as FFA members. Samantha

earned her Discovery FFA Degree and is currently working toward

her Greenhand FFA Degree. She served as her chapter’s junior

advisor and treasurer and also competed on the state level in the

FFA Creed Speaking CDE.

Samantha BantomChapter: Smyrna FFA

A high school junior, Robert develops his career skills through the

horse evaluation CDE and his equine science SAE, in which he breaks

and trains horses for his clients. He was selected as his chapter’s

Star Greenhand, earned his Chapter FFA Degree, and served as

chapter secretary and reporter. Robert also participates in steer

wrestling in high school rodeo competitions.

Robert JoyceChapter: Gibson County FFA

This high school senior uses FFA to develop her leadership and

public speaking skills. Lauren participated in the prepared public

speaking and job interview CDEs and served as vice president of

her chapter. As part of her supervised agricultural experience

program (SAE), Lauren assists her instructors with teaching

lessons and coordinating classroom activities.

Lauren WalkerChapter: Chino Valley FFA

Annakate, a high school senior, has been an FFA member for the

past six years. She has participated in the extemporaneous public

speaking and floriculture career development events (CDEs),

served as the chairperson for the South Carolina State FFA Officer

Nominating Committee, and was elected president of her chapter.

Annakate hopes to become an FFA advisor one day.

Annakate WatersChapter: Anderson FFA

– Andrea Bloom

Picture Yourself on This PageYou, too, can be featured in FFA Faces. Nominate yourself or a fellow

FFA member by sending us the following details about the nominee:

name, grade, address, FFA and academic

achievements, and extracurricular activities.

Submissions must include a high-quality

color photo. Those featured will be awarded

a great FFA prize.

Send to: FFA Faces

FFA New Horizons

P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268

Or e-mail to [email protected]


FFA Faces Members in action

Fair WellFFA is well-represented each year

at the California State Fair, thanks to

the Marysville chapter. During the past

12 years, Marysville FFA has brought

home multiple ribbons for its Yuba

County displays in the fair’s “California’s

Counties” competition. As the only youth

organization solely responsible for one

of the 58 county displays, Marysville

FFA educates fair attendees about Yuba

County’s agriculture.

Marysville FFA advisor Bonnie Magill

says, “It’s important for the public to

learn about FFA as well as our county’s

agriculture, so I always have my

students take charge.”

What kind of horses like to be ridden at night? Nightmares.

Kelli Shenold, Ripley, Okla.

Why does a rooster watch TV? For hentertainment.

Matthew Schwamberger, Franklin, Ind.

Just Joking

ffanewhorizons.org

Have a good one? Submit your favorite jokes at ffanewhorizons.org.

54,731The 81st National FFA Convention welcomed a record-breaking 54,731 attendees to Indianapolis.

23,000More than 23,000 people rocked out to Taylor Swift and James Otto during the national FFA convention concert.

$198,978The National FFA Alumni Association raised $198,978 in scholarship funds during its silent, live and online auctions during the convention.


FFA scrapbook Express yourself

FYIYOUR TURN

Keep us informed!

This is your chance to

be a part of FFA New

Horizons. Send us a

short article about

your latest chapter

activities, awards

you’ve received or

even your involvement

outside FFA.

Be sure to include

a high-quality color

photo and your

contact information.

Want an easy way to

send your story? Visit

ffanewhorizons.org

and click on Tell Us.

Or, send to:

FFA New Horizons

P.O. Box 68960

Indianapolis, IN 46268

[email protected]

A Garden To Remember

This past summer, FFA members of

St. Henry, Ohio, paid tribute to a fellow

chapter member by creating a memorial

flower garden in his name.

The honored member, Brandon

Huelskamp, passed away in late 2007.

Eight FFA members joined their advisor

for the initial construction of the garden,

which was designed by chapter officer

Dillan Schulze, in St. Henry’s walking park.

Community members also contributed

to the project by donating supplies for the

garden. Today, park visitors are reminded

of the unity that their dear friend inspired.

Expo in IdahoFor three days last fall, FFA members in

Meridian, Idaho, became educators at the

fourth annual Meridian Ag Expo. Each day,

hundreds of elementary students came to

learn about their state’s agriculture.

Chapter members guided tours and

explained exhibits for the youngsters and

general public. Exhibit subjects included

livestock, wildlife and natural resources

in Idaho.

The machinery and historical tools used

in the state’s agricultural sectors were also

on display.


The FFA horse judging team from Lafourche Parish, La., recently traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, for the World Paint Horse Judging Contest. The junior team (pictured) placed first, and the senior team placed fourth. One week later, both teams placed first in their state contests. Congratulations!

It’s official! More people attended

the 81st National FFA

Convention than ever before,

with a record-setting attendance

of 54,731 FFA members and guests.

In its third year in

Indianapolis, the national FFA

convention once again brought

together blue jackets from across

the United States, Puerto Rico and

the U.S. Virgin Islands for the

nation’s largest student gathering.

With inspirational keynote

speeches, leadership-building

workshops, competitive awards

contests, and community service

projects – there was something for

everyone at this year’s convention.

The week started off on the right

foot, as the National FFA Band and

Chorus led the FFA Grand March

down FFA Way to the beat of “Hey

FFA!” But the music didn’t stop

there. The start of the opening

session revealed the 2008 national

convention theme song, an ’80s-style

rock song highlighting the convention

theme, “Step Up. Stand Out.”

A new and improved laser show

pumped up the convention arena

before each session, brought back

More members ‘stand out’ than ever before at the 81st National FFA Convention

RecordsBreaking

to the event partly by student-led

lobbying efforts throughout the

past year.

Hollywood stuntwoman and

Olympic gold medalist Dana Hee

gave the keynote address during

the first session, encouraging

FFA members to face their fears.

“From life to the Olympics to

Hollywood, I’ve found it is so easy

to step up in life if you just take

that one step of courage,” Hee said.

Hundreds of FFA members took

a step in the right direction by

dedicating their time in Indy to

helping others during the 2008

National FFA Days of Service.

After the overwhelming amount

of student involvement last year,

another day and new sites were

Story by Kelliann Blazek

On Saturday, the new national officers were named, including, from left, Paul Moya, Nessie Early, laila hajji, Hannah crossen, Riley branch and Regina holliday. LEFT: The Streets of indianapolis, especially the one renamed “FFA WAy,” were filled with FFA members traveling to various convention events. PHOTO BY J. KYLE KEENER


added to the schedule. Students

spent their days volunteering with

local organizations like Gleaners

Food Bank, Indy Parks and Habitat

for Humanity, just to name a few.

Back at the Indianapolis

Convention Center, the 42nd annual

FFA National Agricultural Career Show

was crammed with students in search

of giveaways, college advice and

future job opportunities.

Located next to the FFA

Shopping Mall, the career show

boasted more than 400 booths

representing agricultural

universities, companies and

automobile manufacturers.

To expand their career learning,

many members participated in

educational tours, which included

visits to places like Conner Prairie,

the Indianapolis Zoo, Purdue

University, Integrity Biofuels and

the Exotic Feline Rescue Center.

Brand-new facilities in

Indianapolis also improved the

convention experience. For the first

time, the American Degree ceremony

was held at Lucas Oil Stadium (the

new home of the Indianapolis Colts),

which opened two months before

convention kicked off. Lucas Oil

Stadium also housed the food court

and the concert stage where the

entertainment highlight of the

week took place.

On Wednesday night, James Otto

opened for country superstar Taylor

Swift, who took the stage and performed

for a crowd of 23,000 FFA members

and guests.

“My name is Taylor Swift, and

I am a proud FFA member!” she

exclaimed during the concert.

A former member of the


The FFA Shopping Mall gave members a place to shop for cowboy hats or browse through official FFA merchandise. PHOTO BY J. KYLE KEENER

ffanewhorizons.org

Click on the Convention Page for more from the 81st National FFA Convention and to learn how the convention will rotate between Louisville and Indianapolis, starting in 2013.

Hendersonville FFA Chapter in

Tennessee, Swift encouraged

students to “stand out” by working

hard and following their dreams.

FFA members showed off their

own musical talents in the FFA Talent

Revue on Thursday. Nearly 20 acts

ranging from an acoustic guitarist

to a flaming baton twirler performed

for an enthusiastic audience.

Even 2007-08 National FFA

President Zach Kinne kept the FFA

rhythm alive, as he fiddled on stage

during his retiring address, titled

“You-niquely Used.”

“We can’t be apprehensive about

using our abilities to help others,”

Kinne said. “The true meaning and

extent of our talents, abilities, and

gifts truly shine when we use them

to serve.”

Members learned about ways to

serve in the convention workshops,

hosted by past national and state

officers, conference presenters and

industry professionals. Workshop

attendees used hands-on methods

to plan for college, improve their

online skills, gain tips on sharing

the agricultural message in their

own communities and learn to lead.

The six newly elected national

officers are now learning to lead

as they serve the FFA membership.

After an intense selection process,

including five rounds of interviews

and a written exam, the new national

officers were announced from a pool

of 38 candidates.

The 2008-09 National FFA

Officers include President Paul Moya

from New Mexico, Secretary Nessie

Early from California, Eastern

Region Vice President Hannah

Crossen from Ohio, Central Region

Vice President Laila Hajji from

Oklahoma, Southern Region Vice

President Regina Holliday from

Georgia, and Western Region Vice

President Riley Branch from Texas.

Throughout the year, these

leaders will encourage and inspire

FFA members across the country to

stand out in their chapters, schools

and communities.


Meet your new national FFA president, Paul

Moya! Paul was raised on a small family farm

in central New Mexico, where they raise

alfalfa. He comes from an FFA family; his

older brother and sister were both members,

his dad is an FFA advisor, and his mom

attends most FFA events as a supporter.

Learn more from our interview with Paul.

QHow did it feel to hear your name

called out as the 2008-09 national

FFA president?

AIt felt like forever before they

announced president, but it was

absolutely a dream come true! I had

chills down my arms, and my stomach felt

like I was on a roller coaster as I stood there

waiting. It was one of the most exciting

moments of my life, and I couldn’t wait to get

on stage and hug my new teammates! I am so

honored to serve this year as the national

FFA president.

QBesides being elected to national

office, what was a highlight of the

2008 National FFA Convention for you?

AI simply love the start of each

convention session – the lights, music,

energy and of course the laser show!

The career show has also always been one of

my favorite parts, and I enjoy meeting new

friends from all over the country.

QWhat have you learned about your

teammates so far?

AThey are an amazing group of FFA

members. They truly live to serve, and

I know that this organization is much

better because of my five teammates. They

are simply amazing, and I can’t wait to see

the incredible impact they will have on our

organization this next year.

QWhat first inspired

you to join FFA?

AMy father was an FFA advisor, and I

went to my first New Mexico FFA State

Convention at 8 months old. So I guess

you could say FFA is in my blood. As a little

boy, I couldn’t wait to start high school, join

FFA and get my very own flashy blue

corduroy jacket!

National FFA President

MoyaPaul

ffanewhorizons.org

Click on our Convention page to meet Paul’s new teammates.

FYIPAUL’S FAVORITES

When it’s cold outside,

this New Mexico

member likes to build

a campfire and make

s’mores. Learn

“s’more” about Paul

and his favorites.

FFA memory: Going

to his first FFA camp

Colors: Blue and yellow

Fruit: Raspberries

CDE: Prepared public

speaking and FFA Creed

Ice cream: Vanilla

Board game:

Pictionary


FFA National Officer Q & A

AquaSwimming in

James Madison FFA member Angela Garcia found her interest in aquaculture by working in her school’s aquatic lab. STAFF PHOTO

Story by Jessica Mozo

Texan gets her feet wet with one of agriculture’s newest fields

cultureA

s a freshman at James

Madison High School in San

Antonio, Angela Garcia was

an extremely shy, introverted teenager.

But all that changed when she

became the head researcher in her

school’s aquaculture lab, where she

not only learned about fish and

plants but also overcame her

shyness by leading tours of the

lab, training fellow students and

teaching visiting elementary

classes about aquaculture.

“I learned to be more responsible

and how to manage my time,” recalls

Garcia, now a sophomore animal

science major at Texas A&M University.

“I’ve definitely become more confident

and a better speaker.”

You may be wondering what in the

world aquaculture even is. That’s not

surprising, considering it’s a relatively

new agricultural field.

Sometimes called “the agriculture

of the oceans,” the field of aquaculture

involves the production of aquatic

plants and animals such as fish,

shrimp, clams and kelp through

artificial cultivation techniques.

Though it hasn’t been around as

long as traditional agricultural

fields, aquaculture is one of the

fastest-growing sectors in the

industry of agriculture. Already

about 15 percent of the worldwide

production of fish and seafood comes

from aquaculture farms.

Angela got involved with her

school’s aquaculture lab when

her agriculture teacher, Joshua

Anderson, suggested she focus her

science fair project on aquaculture.

“My high school received a

grant, and they used it to purchase

two fish tanks and a filtration system,”

she says. “My science fair project

was to test two filters to see which

kept the water cleaner.”

With Anderson’s help, Angela

started both a research- and work-

based supervised agricultural

Managing fish populations, even the “pet” types, is a growing career.


experience program that centered

around her work at the aquaculture

lab. She later competed in FFA

aquaculture competitions at the

state and national levels, winning

four times at the state level and

three times at nationals.

“Angela basically turned into an

aquaculture guru,” Anderson jokes.

“She competed in all different areas

and won. And she initially came to

us with no agricultural background,

not even knowing what FFA was.”

He adds, “When she started, she

didn’t talk much, but she blossomed

into a real leader and developed into

a chapter and district FFA officer who

represented FFA all over the place.”

Angela’s day-to-day tasks at her

school’s aquaculture lab included

performing water quality tests,

installing heaters in the tanks,

introducing different species of fish,

and helping stock her high school

agriculture program’s two ponds

with tilapia and catfish.

“I knew I wanted to either be a

marine biologist or a veterinarian,”

Angela says. “In college, I’m pursuing

the vet route, but when I go back

home, I still like to assist in the

aquaculture lab at my high school.”

Angela spent the summer of 2008

interning at a vet clinic, which she

loved for the “hands-on opportunities.”

“When pets came in, the vet tech

would bring them in the exam room,

and I would hold the animal while

they took its temperature and weighed

it,” she says. “I also got to walk the

dogs that were boarding there.”

June of 2008 found Angela on

a 10-day excursion in Costa Rica,

thanks to FFA.

“I won the trip for my proficiency

in aquaculture production. I got to go

to Costa Rica to see how agriculture

works there,” she says. “It was

awesome. We got to stay with host

families, and I was able to use some

Spanish-speaking skills.”

The Texas FFA member says she

would one day like to serve as an

example to other young Hispanics.

“I’d like other young people to

know there are so many aspects of

agriculture. It’s not just farming,”

Angela says. “And being in FFA is a

great experience because you learn

so much, you can travel and it helps

you earn scholarships for college.”

Because it’s a fairly new field,

few high schools offer courses in

aquaculture. Anderson encourages

students to talk with their teachers

about incorporating a few

aquaculture courses into their

agriculture programs.

“Schools should at least have an

aquarium where students can learn

about it,” he says. “This year, we

had one student raise albino frogs

as a project. There’s so much

opportunity with aquaculture.”

A Fishy CareerIf you’re intrigued by the underwater

world of fish and plants and you have a

knack for science, aquaculture might be

the career field for you.

Jobs in aquaculture include everything

from veterinarians and aquatic/marine

biologists to fish nutritionists, feed

manufacturers and fishery technicians.

“There are opportunities to work with your

state’s fish and wildlife service,” says Joshua

Anderson, agriculture teacher at James

Madison High School in San Antonio. “They

work with hatcheries in the production and

spawning of local species. There are also jobs

where you test water quality, and that is

going to be important in the next 10 years.”

Some aquaculture jobs sound more

like hobbies than jobs.

“There are fishing guides who need a

knowledge of what fish eat, how to clean

fish and more,” Anderson says. “A parent

of one of my students is a fishing guide

and makes incredible money. And he

fishes for a living.”

Pursuing a career in aquaculture requires

a combination of biological, technical,

managerial and marketing skills. Not all

colleges offer degrees in aquaculture, but

several offer courses or an emphasis.

For more information on careers

in aquaculture, visit the Aquaculture

Network Information Center at

www.aquanic.org.


FFA members are go-getters

by nature, but that desire to

achieve can lead to an over-

booked schedule and lots of stress.

Motivational speaker and writer

Grant Baldwin has been there. He

talks with teens and holds work-

shops all over the country to help

young people get a handle on their

busy lives.

Baldwin’s new book, Reality

Check, answers 50 questions teens

have about life after high school,

including how to balance it all –

school, relationships, friends, jobs

and other activities – while fitting

in some time to just enjoy life.

“Balance is a big deal,” he says.

“We all hear stories of people who work

all their lives to have a heart attack

and die at age

50. Who wants

to do that? I

want to be 90

or 100 and

look back

and say,

‘I really

enjoyed life.’ What’s your other choice?”

Baldwin offers some practical

tips to help find balance:

DETERMINE WHAT MATTERS.

It’s tough, but it’s often

necessary to decide what matters

most to you, and let some things go.

“Like a buffet, you may want to

try everything,” Baldwin says. “But

the reality is you can’t eat every

single thing on the buffet. You have

to pick the top few things you really

want to try.”

CREATE BOUNDARIES.

The most organized, time-

managed person still has limits.

“Like a full glass of water, a

lot of us are literally at capacity,

and people continue to ask us to do

things,” Baldwin says. “We pretend

we have no limits, but water is

spilling everywhere.”

“The challenge with saying

no is we’re all basically people

pleasers,” he adds. “We don’t want

to let people down.”

Bottom line: It doesn’t mean

you’re rude or lazy if you have

to turn people down when your

schedule is full, Baldwin says. It

just means your schedule is full.

Overwhelmed? Get back on track with these tips

BalanceFinding

ffanation.ffa.org

Log on to FFA Nation and visit the Discussions section to ask Baldwin your “life questions.”

WHO YOU ARE IS IMPORTANT.

As a teenager, you are making

huge life decisions about who you

are as a person.

“If you work your whole life to

attain status and titles and money,

and you are a shell of a human

being, is that worth it?” Baldwin

asks. “Is that the kind of life you

want to live? There are a lot of

wealthy people who are miserable.”

Be true to your own interests,

he says, instead of chasing money

or status for the sake of impressing

other people.

LEARN TO BALANCE.

“The idea of staying in balance

on a daily basis is somewhat of a

myth,” Baldwin says. “It is a constant

struggle to keep yourself in balance.

It doesn’t just happen. You have to be

extremely proactive about finding

balance and work at it every day.”

And, it’s perfectly OK to take a

day off every once in a while just to

do something that you enjoy, whether

it’s riding a horse or watching reruns

on the couch.

“In order to stay balanced, you

have to find what energizes you,”

he says. “Find those things that

give you life, and don’t exclude

them from your plans.”

Visit www.grantbaldwin.com

for more information.

– Rebecca Denton


FFA healthy lifestyles Balancing it all

Take It SlowFFA members in San Diego County, Calif., are

teaming up to save money and the planet. “Slow

Down – Save Gas” is a promotion that started at

Carlsbad High School and quickly gained support

at nearby San Marcos High School. By displaying

five fingers outside their vehicles’ windows,

San Diego County students are encouraging

other motorists to drive 55 mph on the highway.

Visit ffanewhorizons.org and click on In This

Issue for more information about this project.

Imagine TomorrowMembers from the Rosalia FFA Chapter in

Washington recently received high honors

in Washington State University’s alternate-

energy competition, “Imagine Tomorrow,” in

which the team entered a hydrogen-hybrid engine.

More than 80 projects were entered, and the Rosalia team

placed second in the technology challenge. The team – consisting

of Kristina Peterschick, Dan Lazcano, Trevor Shield, Chelsea

Sims and John Kuhn – received $6,000 in prize money.

what’s hot in science

Partners for the Planet

Looking for a way to incorporate

community service into your National FFA

Week plans? Even better, want to do something

that helps save the planet?

Your chapter can join in a national

campaign to help plant trees for our

environment. Called the “3 By 3 campaign,”

the effort hopes to get 3 million students to

plant a total of 3 million trees. To learn more

about the program and how to get involved,

visit www.treemusketeers.org.

1One trillion tons of

greenhouse gas

emissions can be

reduced if each of us

would change five

normal light bulbs to

five fluorescent ones.

Source: jointherideiowa.com

E85This term means that

up to 85 percent of

the fuel blend can

be ethanol, with the

remaining percentage

as gasoline. Look for

it on gas pumps.

20 FFA NEW HORIZONS

FFA What's hot Cool stuff to know

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA TodayHave you seen the new “FFA

Today” television show? If not,

you should check it out because

it’s revamped and all about you!

Each week you’ll get to see

cool stories about members and

different areas to explore in

agriculture, as well as special

highlights from the national

FFA convention. Watch it on

RFD-TV, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

EST. You can also watch the

entire show at ffatoday.ffa.org.

Hey advisors! Don’t forget

that “FFA Today” is great for

chapter discussions and projects.

The “FFA Today” show is

sponsored by Monsanto.

T V

Join FFA NationIt’s fun! It’s social! It’s the

National FFA Organization’s

very own online community,

built just for those who wear the

blue and gold!

Visit ffanation.ffa.org today

to sign up for your very own profile.

You can add friends, join groups,

start discussions in the forums

section and schedule events.

This month, we’ll be

focusing on National FFA Week

activities. Visit the site to gather

ideas from other chapters, then

come back to upload photos from

your celebration. You can even

start a group for your FFA chapter

to have a “virtual celebration.”

See you online!

Web

Want MORE FFA New Horizons? Check out our website. you’ll find MORE photos, MORE stories, MORE quizzes and a lot MORE information. And remember to check back often for FFA news updates!

C U S TO M M A G A Z I N E M E D I A

just a click awayffanewhorizons.org


FFA What's on media buzz

WebMusicNews

Smile for the Camera

Without leaving their

classroom, elementary students

in Houston, Texas, are watching

and learning about barnyard

animals, thanks to the Internet.

Kingwood Park FFA is using

a webcam to teach elementary

students about livestock through

an activity called “Meet the

Animals.” This learning

experience allows elementary

students to ask questions about

the animals as FFA members

present them from their ag shop.

The project has been so

successful that the chapter is

considering a national webcast.

Harmonies for Heifer

Stepping outside the land

of agriculture, Tri-Valley FFA

members in New York have

teamed up with an elementary

school teacher and her students

for a charity project.

Music teacher Regina

Hartman prompted her K-4

students to choose a cause and

raise money for it by creating

their own music. Her students

chose to raise $5,000 for Heifer

International, a hunger-fi ghting

organization, and local FFA

members helped plan, produce,

sell and distribute the fundraiser

CDs, with all the songs written

and performed

by the K-4 students.

Planning Your Week

National FFA Week is almost

here! Your advisor should have

received the planning guide and

DVD, and now it’s time for the

members to take charge!

Check out ffaweek.ffa.org

for lots of downloadable tools

and resources, including ideas

for chapter activities, posters,

National FFA Week logos, news

releases, public service

announcements and more!

Plan the best FFA Week ever

and then enter the FFA Week

contest. The top chapter winners

are featured on the “FFA Today”

television show! You can fi nd

more information at ffa.org.


Justin Floyd now works on nuclear reactors in the U.S. Navy.

For former FFA member Justin Floyd of

Cheraw, S.C., joining the U.S. Navy was

a perfect career choice. A state FFA

extemporaneous public speaking winner,

Petty Officer Floyd is now using his FFA skills

while operating and working on nuclear

reactors at the Naval base in Goose Creek, S.C.

Q Did your FFA experience prepare you

for a military career?

AAbsolutely. I learned discipline and

patience by growing plants and raising

animals. Leadership classes were a big

help, and the social skills you learn and

develop in FFA are important to any career.

Also learning to respect and even iron my

FFA Official Dress was good preparation!

QDo you find yourself using skills from

FFA and agricultural education in your

current role?

AAgricultural mechanics has helped a

ton. The knowledge you gain even in

just using simple tools correctly and

understanding flow of water in irrigation

systems helps in understanding the main

and auxiliary systems of a reactor. That

would be the biggest skill that has helped

me succeed in Nuclear Field “A” School.

QWhat would you say to another FFA

member who is interested in joining

the U.S. military?

AI waited two years out of high school,

so it affected my physical condition.

Training is really important! Work out

at least four months before boot camp. It’s a

wonderful career, especially when you think

of how financially stable you can be, the

benefits of the military and the honor of

serving your country. Also, don’t sneeze

or move during inspections; it will be a bad

day. This I know from personal experience!

FloydFormer member uses agricultural mechanics skills in the U.S. Navy

Justin


FFA Back Talk Former members Reflect

February 2009, FFA New Horizons

Documents

Transcript of February 2009, FFA New Horizons