b'FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICAPRESENTS THE 33RD ANNUALAgriculture Education and FFA Thriving in ArizonaANTIQUEENGINE &griculture education is thriving in 81 high schoolsto continue to develop their leadership skills. Many of A across the Grand Canyon State of Arizona. Withthe leadership development events such as parliamentary more than 12,000 students enrolled, we anticipateprocedure, conduct of meetings, public speaking and other TRACTORSHOW the enrollment will continue to grow. The students are alsocontests are held at the State FFA Leadership Conference members of the National FFA Organization and Arizonaheld in Tucson the first week of June.Association FFA. FFA is an intra-curricular National Student Organization. The letters FFA stand for Future Farmers ofIn addition to the competitions held at the State FFA America. Leadership Conference, the association also elects its State SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024/9AM TO 4PM FFA Officers. This past June, 9 students were elected to Through agricultural education, students are providedrepresent the Arizona Association FFA for a year. During AT THE HISTORIC SAHUARO RANCH PARK opportunities for leadership development, personal growth,the year the officers who are freshmen in college, conduct and career success. Agricultural education instruction isleadership workshops and provide chapter visits across delivered through three major components: Arizona in the fall to meet with FFA members in the highKeston Zimmerman showing his Market Steer at the 9802 N. 59TH AVE, GLENDALE, AZClassroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning) schools, attend chapter events, provide banquet presentationsMaricopa County Fair. Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs in the spring, and serve as ambassadors providing (ON 59TH AVE. BETWEEN OLIVE & PEORIA AVE) (work-based learning) presentations during industry events. Nancy Caywood of Caywood Farms in Casa Grande as theStudent leadership organization, the FFA 2023 Agriculturalist of the Year. Nancy has been a strong The State FFA Officers also assist with events conductedadvocate for FFA. This is one of the largest events the A SAE is a structured experiential and work-based learningby the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation.Foundation coordinates that supports programs such as opportunity that takes place in a setting beyond theOne of the many events the Foundation holds during thecareer development events, leadership development events, classroom and regular school hours. The SAE projects allowyear is the upcoming 8th annual Blue & Gold Gala that willproficiency awards, professional development for agriculture students the opportunity to explore and determine whatbe held on January 27, 2024, at the Renaissance Phoenixeducators, and more. career is right for them, develop life and employability skillsGlendale Hotel & Spa. This event is The Biggest Night in for college and career readiness, and much more. Arizona Agriculture. The gala will bring together more thanAgricultural Education and the FFA are making a 750 attendees for the sold-out event. The evening will be atremendous impact on youth and the Arizona agriculture Keston Zimmerman, a senior at Trivium Preparatorycelebration of the achievements and success of agricultureindustry.Each day across Arizona, students are preparing Academy, raises heifers and market steers as his SAE. He haseducation and FFA in Arizona.The night includes a largefor careers in agriculture and will become our future skilled been active in FFA for the past four years and as he enters thesilent auction, live auction, gift from the heart, a deliciousworkforce, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the food, fiber, and last half of his senior year, Keston will be showing his heifersdinner, and dancing to the Dina Preston Band. The Galanatural resources industry. at the Maricopa County Fair in April to conclude his finalwill highlight the impact donor support has made and project. Keston shares, There is nothing that has preparedprovide opportunities for the agricultural industry toTo learn more about the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA me more for life, than raising and showing livestock." Heensure agriculture education remains a vital component ofFoundation we invite you to visit AZFFAFoundation.org, and loves that animal science and SAE enterprises allow him toArizonas future. Although the event is sold out, there are stillfor more details regarding the student programs you may visit integrate this deeper learning as part of the intra-curricularopportunities for individuals and companies to support theArizona Association FFA at AZFFA.org.model of agriculture education. event through a donation or by participating in the silent FFA members have an opportunity to not only gain skillsauction, which is web-through their SAE but also through career and leadershipbased. You can learn more development events. These events are held during the yearabout the event by visiting in their region and on the state level during the SpringBlueAndGoldGala.org.Conference. The Arizona Association FFA coordinates the career development events for the Spring ConferenceThis year we are thrilled in partnership with the University of Arizona, College ofto honor Bruce Cain of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. Students whoFarm Bureau Financial have a winning state team from the career and leadershipServices as the Blue & development events will then go to the National FFAGold Award Honoree Convention in October to compete in Indianapolis, Indiana.for his dedicated service and commitment to FFA. The Arizona Association coordinates several eventsThe Arizona Association throughout the year for FFA members to participate in,FFA will recognize NEW ASPHALT PAVING PARKING LOTS PRIVATE DRIVES ROADSREPAIRS & MAINTENANCE TRENCH PAVING PATCHINGOVERLAYS SEAL COATINGState FFA Officer Photo, from left to right: (back row) Mattie Richards, State Vice602-272-PAVEPresident; Ilsa Gooch, State Treasurer; Alena Bates, State Sentinel; Ellie Tipton, State Secretary; Riata Boyle, State Vice President; (front row) Natalie Valliere, CALVARYPAVING.COMState Vice President; Ashley Norvell, State President; Taylor Dlugosz,State Reporter; Joselyn Carranza, State Vice President.ArizonaRealCountry.com January 2024 23'