Download - 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
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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]
4 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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.
6 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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
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.
7FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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!
8 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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
9FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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
10 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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.
11FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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
12 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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.
15FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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.
16 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.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
18 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
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
21FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.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
22 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.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.
23FFA NEW HORIZONSFFANEWHORIZONS.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
24 FFA NEW HORIZONS FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA Back Talk Former members Reflect