Anita Schneider Running for National FFA Alumni President

Becoming president of the National FFA Alumni has been a dream of mine for some years. After attending my first National FFA convention years ago and seeing the great wave of blue jackets I knew I wanted to be a part of this great organization. The passion and commitment the members have for the FFA organization is so overwhelming that it gets you so excited to become the best you can be. From the very beginning the FFA Alumni have welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me to become involved. The Alumni is a great support group for these young FFA members and I want to become a stronger advocate for Agricultural Education.



I have been a member of our local FFA Alumni affiliate since 1994. Watching these young men and women grow has been very rewarding and I would like to think that I had a hand in it. Going from the local to state level seemed to be a logical step in that I have become a more active advocate for the Ag Ed program. However there is always a need to keep the line of communication and support open with the local levels. The next growing step for me was when I decided to try to become a member of the National Council and was elected as the Member-at-Large. The past 3 years have been a definite learning process for me. Being involved with the National Council has opened many doors for me, helping me to expand my knowledge, gain confidence and encourages me to give presentations and become a better advocate for Agriculture. I would like to continue my quest and fulfill a dream and become the president of the National council. There are visions that I have to assist with the growth of the council and aid with the continuing line of communication to all levels of Alumni.

Favorite things:

My favorite moments would have to be a couple;

1-was my very first time at National Convention and attending my first opening session and seeing the excitement in these young people.

2-when I won the Outstanding Achievement Award—I just do what needs to be done and it was so cool to know that someone was paying attention and I was recognized for just being me.

Favorite food would not be what you eat but who you eat it with– a good home cooked meal while being surrounded by friends and family.

Favorite movie—don’t really have one—I like romantic comedies that make me laugh and possibly draw an occasional tear.

Favorite song—I like most kinds of music; soft classical while reading a good book, country to listen to while working, and Christian music to play & sing.

Find Anita’s full bio on the National FFA Alumni Council webpage.

Indiana FFA Alumni Association’s on the Rise

The Indiana FFA Alumni reestablishment is something that has been sought after for some time now. There has always been multiple levels within FFA and FFA Alumni no matter where you go. Indiana FFA has had a strong state association for many years but has lacked in the much needed support that Alumni can offer. This raises some issues and gives way to many disconnects. The FFA Organization as a whole is known for developing strong leadership characteristics in today’s youth, without a State FFA Alumni Association many of these youth become disconnected with the organization that they love. By reestablishing the Indiana FFA Alumni Association, we now providing that link for FFA members to continue in an organization that is so close to their hearts and provide an avenue for them to give back as well.

Indiana FFA Alumni is not only there for the former FFA members, but also to support the current FFA programs across the state. This association is dedicated to providing support for Indiana FFA and Agricultural Education through advocacy, financial support, volunteerism, and communication. We hope to expand FFA Alumni throughout the state and charter many more local affiliates. By having this state association we will bridge the gap between the national and local level and provide the resources and assistance needed to charter FFA Alumni affiliates within Indiana.

Indiana FFA Alumni President,

Justin McKain

Reconnect to Build a Better Future for FFA and Ag Education

This year’s Alumni Development Conference in Little Rock Arkansas reenergized alumni members across the country. In addition to the tours, speakers, and fellowship there was a strong vision presented for the future of alumni nationwide. The FFA Re-Connect Campaign, which is currently being initiated by the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Alumni, will strive to rebuild relationships with the estimated eight million former FFA members currently living in the United States.

It is crucial to the future of the organization that we effectively reengage as many people as possible to advocate and support each of the 523,000 FFA members. The reconnect campaign will focus on connecting with individuals at large scale events. These events may include the NFR Cowboy Christmas, National FFA Convention, and many others. This is only one element to the campaign and we ask for your help in this endeavor. It is crucial that each of us who believes in this organization attempt to reconnect as many people as possible in our home communities to the National FFA Alumni. On behalf of the National Council we invite you to join us as we grown the alumni across the country.

Chase Rose
National FFA Alumni Council
Past National Officer Representative

ADC 2011 concludes in Little Rock on a high note

There were smiles, laughs and, yes, even a few tears before the National FFA Alumni Association’s Alumni Development Conference Banquet ended Saturday night — all courtesy of terrific testimonials telling perfectly why the work of FFA’s most vocal and deliberate backers was so important.

The conference, hosted in Little Rock, Ark., this year, was chock full of learning moments, motivating lessons and — as with any FFA-related event — plenty of good networking. Hosted by the Arkansas FFA Alumni with big support from the Arkansas FFA, ADC showcased many of Arkansas’ agricultural high points in between teaching the attending conference participants from 30 states some critical points of advocacy.

Saturday night’s banquet — one with a special touch due to the National FFA Alumni celebrating it’s 40th-anniversary in 2011 — reinforced all of those aspects. Testimonials told of how the venerable 84-year-old FFA is still manufacturing members with a head start in their knowledge of the agriculture industry and another leap ahead in their leadership abilities. A few eyes in the room were a little misty when FFA Alumni members from Oregon, Michigan and other states told how their individual affiliate had literally saved FFA from disappearing in their communities.

The banquet included remarks from Marion Fletcher [National FFA treasurer & Arkansas state supervisor/program manager of agricultural education (including FFA)] and Frank Saldaña (National FFA Alumni executive director). Additionally, Ryan Gallagher with the National FFA Foundation spoke of a continued dedication to FFA Alumni programs from the FFA fundraising arm. Several important guests from Arkansas agriculture attended to share in the celebration of the conference sponsored by Tractor Supply Co., and Farm Credit.

To close the evening, Saldaña revealed the site of the 2012 Alumni Development Conference would move west next July to Montana. Dates and a specific city the conference will be released at a later date.

Next up for the National FFA Alumni Association is the 2011 National FFA Alumni Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The 40th anniversary convention is held alongside the National FFA Convention Oct. 19-21, 2011 and will feature a concert from country music artist Joe Diffie. For more information, visit ffa.org/alumni.

For those in Little Rock and those who couldn’t make it, we’ll see you in Indy this fall and Montana next July!

ADC is a family thing, council members says

We’re close to wrapping up another great edition of the National FFA Alumni Association’s Alumni Development Conference, and to say the participants have enjoyed the experience is an understatement. There have been workshops, learning labs, educational tours and activity after activity that leads to great networking.

One conference participant wanted to share a bit about her experience so far here in Little Rock:

“When you get the opportunity to attend an FFA Alumni Development Conference you should attend! Take the time out of your busy schedule to be with caring people from around our great county to network and share ideas on how to grow your Alumni. You will get ideas on how to fundraise, engage in development worksops, and see parts of a state that you may not have visited.

The key to attending is the feeling that you get from the people, you feel like they are family!”

-Sue Butch
National FFA Alumni Council – NASAE Representive

Thanks, Sue!

Mark Mayfield challenges ADC participants to do more in opening session

by Anita Schneider, Kansas FFA Alumni

The 2011 National FFA Alumni Development Conference opened Wednesday night in Little Rock with “Taste of States”, an event for conference participants to show off our state’s best-tasting products. While there, Mark Mayfield — a fellow Kansan — approached me to talk about our shared home state. In our conversation he asked me where in Kansas I was from (WaKeeney) and he asked if I knew Dennis Deines. It turns our Mark & Dennis had worked together in FFA when he was in high school. Proving the world is indeed small, I knew Dennis as he lived just miles from my house!

It turns out Mark was a substitute speaker for our morning session on Thursday. Mark was an FFA member, is an FFA Alumni member, served on the foundation board, his mother was a former Kansas State Alumni president and he very much believes that FFA has helped him be the man he is today.

I am really glad that Mark was our opening session keynote speaker Thursday morning at ADC — he was simply awesome. He made us laugh and kept us on the edge of our seats. He taught us things about ourselves and how to communicate with others—mainly that we need to “Do unto others as they want to be done unto”. We need to remember to emulate and mirror the person that we are communicating with—we need to move into THEIR comfort zone. You must have an intellectual acceptance, but a gut resistance to change because humans are creatures of habit. I could have listened to him for hours—he had a very creative and inspirational speaker. What a great way to start off our week in Little Rock!

For more information about Mark Mayfield, visit his website at http://www.markmayfield.com.

Do you want to be a National FFA Alumni Council Member?

Why did I choose to become/serve as a National FFA Alumni Council member?

“I wanted to help the Alumni organization grow at all levels and to serve as a national advocate for FFA and agricultural education. With many years of experience in FFA and ag ed at the local, state and national levels, I felt I had “something to offer” the organization in these two major areas. Serving as an FFA Alumni Council member also helps me “pay back” an organization that had a major influence on my life. I wanted to help lead and support an organization that continues to develop outstanding leaders for the agricultural industry, business world and local community.” ~David Miller, President National FFA Alumni, Maryland.

“I had a lot of encouragement from fellow FFA Alumni both at the state and national level to put my name in the hat. At the early stages of running, I have to admit I really did not understand why? In the first year after election I still did not understand why I was here. Yea I went to meetings, discussed items and voted on things but really did not understand what my purpose was? It was in my second year that I GOT IT! Our Ag Ed partners do not understand the power of FFA Alumni. I believe we need to focus on growing the local grass roots FFA Alumni through strong state Alumni councils. We need to help foundation and all of our Team Ag Ed partners understand FFA Alumni!” ~Bob Barton, President-Elect, Oregon

“After attending Leadership conferences (now ADC) and the National Convention, I saw the pride, caring, passion and family unity of the council members I felt I wanted to be a part of this. Being from a small Kansas town and somewhat isolated I felt the communication was lacking I wanted to try to help and get more people informed. Communication needs to work both directions and cover all levels of Alumni. By improving communication we can better help the FFA advisors and FFA members achieve their goals.” ~Anita Schneider, Member-at-Large Rep, Kansas

“I felt I had/have experience and a perspective that can help the Council continue to improve in its ability to support local and state FFA Alumni.” ~Steve Olson, Member-at-Large Rep, Minn.

“I became a National FFA Alumni Council member because of the good things FFA does at our local level (yes that includes my own 2 children). As I continued on in the State Level (thanks too My Wife) I realized how many young people are impacted. Personally, I want to be a part of seeing the youth of today explore the possibilities of producing FOOD, FIBER, and ENERGY for the generations to come. FFA Alumni have the resources and know-how to help the Youth of FFA solve the issues facing this Nation and World! If as a National Council member one student takes heed and explores the Most Exciting Career in the WORLD, I have been successful!” ~Dan Classen, Central Region Rep, Iowa

“As an active memeber of local groups, I wanted to show how one could further their leadership. And set the course for the future of our organizations and our country.” ~Johnny Jones, Southern Region Rep., GA

“The reasons I choose to become a National FFA Alumni Council Member was; first, an incurable belief I have in a strong, grassroots and passionate support system for the organization. It will be increasingly vital for the organization to have strong support beyond just financial. I became a council member also because I believe that the vast majority of former FFA members would welcome the opportunity to be an Alumni member. I believe most are simply unsure of the commitments or how to join. The council plays a critical roll in inspiring individuals and state leaders to grow their membership and reconnect with former members.” ~Chase Rose, Past National FFA Officer Rep, Mont.

Why do I enjoy being a National FFA Alumni Council member?

“I really enjoy being a National FFA Alumni Council member because I can contribute to the development of our organization at the local, state, regional and national levels. Visiting with FFA Alumni members at state conferences and local affiliate banquets and activities affords me an opportunity to learn about the thousands of great things FFA Alumni and their organizations are doing to support FFA and agricultural education. Meeting these wonderful people and hearing and seeing their outstanding work is extremely rewarding.” ~David Miller, President National FFA Alumni, Maryland.

“I enjoy serving as a National FFA Alumni Council member because these members have helped me with my own insecurities, helping me grow as a person as well as an Alumni member. I have always been a good worker but lacked the ability to be in front of a crowd and the Alumni has definitely helped me with that. I enjoy the time we spend working, I am always learning something and even when we have relaxing time, the interaction is still teaching me something. I enjoy the travel and attending other states’ annual meetings to see how they work. It reinforces that we are all alike in many ways and we are all working toward the same goals—the betterment of the FFA.” ~Anita Schneider, Member-at-Large Rep, Kansas

“I enjoy the type of individuals that volunteer their time to support ag education and FFA members. I also enjoy the bigger picture perspective in serving on the National FFA Alumni Council and the opportunity to provide input on direction for the FFA Alumni.” ~Steve Olson, Member-at-Large Rep, Minn.

“I enjoy being on the council because I know our efforts support a great group of student members. In other organizations I have been involved in you often are left unaware of any impact you are having. On the FFA Alumni Council that is not the case. Our efforts are felt by a 1/2 million FFA members and that makes our position extremely rewarding.” ~Justin Posey, National FFA Rep, Alabama

“It is really simple – it’s the people! Spending time with the other Council members, National Alumni staff, FFA Alumni from other parts of the country and all those associated with agriculture and FFA has been a real joy. It is because they share my enthusiasm for FFA, ag education and the ag industry. Those we engage with as the Council have even more passion than me for the things I value and dedicate my time to support.” ~Shauna McReynolds, Western Region Rep, Oregon

How my Father’s Influence, Influenced Me!

I’m a lifetime FFA Alumni member for a number of reasons: because I was a former FFA member, because I’m passionate about agriculture and agricultural education, and because I want others to have the same opportunities I did as a student.

However, today my passion as an advocate, developer, promoter and recruiter for FFA Alumni is deeper because I’ve seen first hand the gratitude from countless parents and students toward my father, Gaylen Smyer, for his influence, guidance and leadership as an agricultural educator over twenty years. His career impacted my own experience with FFA and shaped why I am a believer in the power of FFA Alumni.

It was my father’s example that led me to the realization that FFA and agricultural education can change an individual student’s life, but FFA Alumni has the ability to shape a community. Many times I’d return to Idaho to visit my family and often run into people who know my father. Not unusual in a small community, but what left an impression was their deeply sincere comments of appreciation (often with tears in their eyes) for the impact he had in their child’s life as they went through the agricultural education program. I’ve heard the testimonials from former students who can pinpoint their celebrated business, civic engagement, educational accomplishment or community contribution as a direct result of what they learned as an Ag Ed student and FFA member. As FFA Alumni, I believe we play an equally important role as the teacher to inspire and influence people. It is OUR opportunity to lead by example and teach students to be civically engaged, to invite our friends and neighbors to join us in our FFA Alumni activities, to engage parents in the program, and to advocate to the community the benefits of agricultural education. By engaging others and preparing our students to be active contributors to society we not only impact individuals, we strengthen our own communities.

Fellow FFA Alumni, let’s take the initiative to be influential in the lives of the students we serve and the people with which we associate. You may not know the impact you make today, but as demonstrated by my father, 20 years down the road your willingness to give of yourself made a difference to one and was an asset to the community.

Amber Smyer, is the senior Program Manager for the National FFA Alumni Association. She started with the National FFA Organization in April of 2003. Amber is a former state FFA officer from Idaho, she is active in her community continuing to fulfill the FFA Motto, “Living to Serve” and just received her masters degree in 2011.

Fun Facts: Amber enjoys traveling the world, is a very talented seamstress, is a competitive board game player and loves her hometown Hornets in Declo, Idaho!

The National FFA Alumni Association Executive Director, Believes in Ag Education and FFA

Why was ag education/FFA important to me?
What got me thrilled about agricultural education as a student was the hands on application of what you learned in the classroom and then applying it to my SAE project. The three circle model which consist of classroom, SAE and FFA at the time did not see the connection but it’s what made learning exciting and not just book work which lead me to a lifelong career in Agriculture Education.

Why is FFA Alumni important to Ag. Ed./FFA?
The FFA Alumni provides those extra arms and legs that an ag instructor needs to make sure the program is a well-rounded program for every student. There are only so many hours in the day so the local ag instructor main responsibility should be that of teaching and making sure each student has the ability to apply the three circle model.

What is the future of FFA Alumni?
To make sure that there is an active fully engaged Alumni affiliate supporting every FFA chapter so that every student can reach his/her potential and also provide the assistance to the local instructor.

Frank Saldana, started his career as an Ag Teacher in Texas, then came to National FFA Organization as the Student Leadership Specialist and finally took the reins of the National FFA Alumni Association as Executive Director in 2002.

Fun Facts: Frank is an outstanding chef, loves to scare people but scares easily and was the Mayor of Combes, Texas.

National FFA Alumni President’s Visit to Housatonic Valley

Upon arrival at Bradley International Airport in Harford, CT at noon I was met by a long time friend George Wheeler. He is now retired after many years of teaching ag at Housatonic Valley High School and is currently a very active Life-time FFA Alumni member. George is also currently chair of the CT Ag Ed Advisory Council. We had a few hours before the Housatonic Valley FFA Alumni Banquet that evening, so George planned a great tour for me to two outstanding dairy farms on our way. The owners are former students and FFA members of George’s and their children are current ag students at Housatonic Valley. Both farms were large “top of the line” dairy operations. One farm has even started a business of recycling its animal waste and making “Cow Pots” that are sold as organic containers for growing bedding plants. I was utterly (haha) amazed at the high level of knowledge of the farm owners and operators and the advanced technology used on the farms.

Next, it was on to visit the ag program at Housatonic Valley. Wow, what a facility. It was built recently with much community and FFA Alumni support. The “state of the art” facility houses the four teacher agri-science department that offers students a very comprehensive program. It was very evident this was truly a “community” agri-science facility.

Then it was on to a local community center for the FFA Alumni Banquet – again a beautiful new facility. Over 125 FFA and Alumni members, state and local officials, community leaders and family members attended. The delicious dinner was catered by a former FFA member and current Alumni leader who owns her own garden center and catering business. What a delicious meal. The evening program was packed with Alumni accomplishments, awards, officer elections, greetings from local and state FFA officers and, of course, remarks on behalf of the National FFA Alumni by “yours truly”.

That night I was a guest of the Wheelers at their home not far from the banquet site in rural northwest CT.

The next morning they treated me to a delicious home cooked breakfast before taking me on a different route through beautiful CT on the one hour trip back to the airport for my return flight to MD. As the plane took off from Bradley and we flew over the tobacco production area located between Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA, I could not help but feel great about experiencing, even for a short 24 hours, the extrordinary support and work being done at the school and in the community by the Housatonic Valley FFA Alumni. This was truly FFA Alumni “at its best”.

David Miller, President, National FFA Alumni Association