shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com February 25, 2020 • Page 9 TRAILER TRUCK Proud trucktrailerinc.net Supporters SALES & SERVICE, INC. We Support FFA of “Your local leader in agricultural service and supply since 1958” East Hwy. 50 Yankton, SD 605-665-7952 152 S. Lidice • Tabor 605-463-2565 FFA 104 Main St. • Lesterville Roy Wilcox, Agent 200 W 4th St Yankton, SD 57078 Bus: 605-665-7140 www.roywilcox.com We’re all in this together. State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support Future Farmers of America. Get to a better State® 605-364-7522 FFA - Leading the Way! 1000 Cattle Dr., Yankton, SD (605) 665-1665 Family, Friends, Community. Proud Supporters of our Area’s FFA! Since 1987 COMPETITIVE CORN BIDS - SCOTLAND, SD 877.735.2676 | 605.583.2258 | POET.COM State Farm, Bloomington, IL Locations: Tyndall • Bonesteel • Lake Andes • Spencer, NE Proud To Support Our Local FFA NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION priorities are the “Ourgeneration of agclear — Wetomust focus on attracting canext workers highly skilled, well-paid reer opportunities. Failing to do so may lead to sever consequences. ” — Lydia Botham, Land O’ Lakes Foundation AG FEEDS THE WORLD. FFA FEEDS AG. Today, more than 669,000 members in over 8,600 chapters across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are working hard to advance our nation’s most critical industry—agriculture. FFA members do this because they respect agriculture’s heritage and recognize its future. They do this because they know how critically important this industry is to our families, our communities, our nation and our world. And, they are not alone. Over 13,000 agriculture educators inspire and guide FFA members, sharing their knowledge and passion for agriculture. At the same time, our network of alumni and supporters blaze a trail of commitment and advocacy. But it doesn’t stop there. Because when more than one million FFA members, advisors and alumni and supporters share their stories and insights, they change perceptions and introduce friends, families, and neighbors to a potential future in agriculture. WE PREPARE TODAY’S YOUTH FOR TOMORROW. FFA grows leaders We empower students to be versatile, lifelong learners, equip them with employability skills, and ensure that they are capable of successfully navigating this ever-changing world and its myriad of challenges. FFA builds communities Through civic-minded community service, our members make an impact in their communities—and themselves. FFA strengthens agriculture Agriculture-based education powers FFA and helps to ensure a vibrant future for the industry. Through agriculture-based science, technology, engineering, and math education, FFA exposes students to the industry today, while preparing them for future careers. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue Race Demographics Gender Split 54 46 % MALE 4.2% BLACK 13.6% HISPANIC 7.7% UNDISCLOSED 5.8% OTHER 68.7% WHITE ALUMNI MEMBERSHIP % FEMALE 97.6% reporting OURS IS A DIVERSE, FUTURE-ORIENTED AND GROWING MEMBERSHIP. DID YOU KNOW? The majority of U.S. agriculture companies employ FFA Alumni today. MEMBERSHIP IF YOU’RE A LEADER, PROVE IT. Leadership development events give members a reason to master skills and a forum to demonstrate their abilities. Individuals and teams participate in public speaking, decision making, communications, agriculture and FFA knowledge. These events happen on local, state, regional and national levels, giving students the ability to hone their employability skills, challenge themselves, and grow as leaders. 2,260 members attend the Washington Leadership Conference each year. There, they focus on purposeful, action-oriented leadership and advocacy that serves others, culminating with a hands-on service activity and congressional visits. 25,473 AN FFA-INSPIRED LEADER. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT TENDEES Jeremy Minnier left the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) with a desire to serve others and support his community in Aredale, Iowa. He began cleaning gutters, mowing lawns, volunteering and helping others in any way he could. The people of Aredale noticed, and during the next THE STATE OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS. election, they wrote in Jeremy’s name According to a 2016 report by PayScale, for mayor—and he won the of grads think they are prepared 87 percent election! 35,494 STUDENTS IN STATE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS for their jobs, but only 50 percent of 1,124 STUDENTS IN NATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS FFA members do more than learn leadership; they experience it through conferences, competitions and events. managers agree. after This was an unexpected victory;Where are they lacking? Percentage of managers all, he wasn’t a candidate and hadn’t who see issues in grad performance: run a campaign. Jeremy needed to think about the job and if he could do it well, before accepting the honor. “One of the things they taught at WLC was to serve your community and this is my way of doing that,” Jeremy says. “This is my way to make a difference in my hometown.” Top characteristics of agriculture leaders: At 18 years old, Jeremy became Aredale’s mayor, and his story was highlighted on MSNBC, CNN, NPR, AgriNews and National China Southern Weekly. He also Listening + appeared on The Tonight Show. Communication Team Building Since 2008, FFA has seen a near 32 percent increase in membership, averaging 15,000 new members annually. This growth impacts agriculture and our future. GROWING LEADERS FOR FFA MEMBERS, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE EXPERIENCE. We are a student-led organization. Our leaders are elected by their peers. Every member experiences leadership development and best practices in some way, whether at chapter meetings, in state-run workshops or during national keynote addresses. 145,000+ 6 members and millions of nonmembers are reached through high-level national and international engagements. National Officers 600,000+ 375 THE NEW MEASURE OF A SUFFICIENTLY PREPARED STUDENT IS ONE WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO KEEP LEARNING… SO THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF ADAPTING TO UNPREDICTABLE CHANGES AND NEW ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES.” — David T. Conley – Getting Ready for College, Career and the Common Core + members are impacted by state officers. These teams also reach corporate and government influencers. State Officers Integrity Knowledge 1 MILLION+ LEADERSHIP SKILLS CAN’T WAIT. Often, people receive leadership training as adults, as part of their workplaces or to advance in their careers. But what if those skills were learned earlier; what if they were part of our educational fabric? FFA members receive leadership coaching, support and a multitude of experiences. The result? Natural leaders who are critical thinkers, strong communicators and have a clear sense of purpose. 51,780 FFA members, ag students, local businesses and community leaders are inspired to build stronger communities. Local-Level Officers INFINITE impressions are made by FFA members who lead by example and intelligently advocate for the industry of agriculture. 669,989 National FFA Members Proud To Support FFA Proud to Support Future Farmers of America Your Local John Deere Dealer Since 1937. Locations in NE: Bloomfield, Hartington, Wayne Four Locations in SD and One in Wyoming (605)589-3362 208 30320 Ford Ave. • Tyndall, SD HOXENG CROP INSURANCE LLC Gerstner OIL CO. Petrolium Fuels And lubricAnts distributor 3004 East Highway 50 Yankton, SD 57078 For Your Crop Insurance Needs Proud supporter of the Future Farmers of America Tyler Hoxeng Cell: 605-661-7241 FFA Proud! We Celebrate & Honor FFA 204 West 4th Street, Yankton, SD (605) 665-3611 Dave Hoxeng 44867 303rd St., Volin, SD 57072 Office: 605-267-2767 Cell: 605-661-1136 We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer Phone: 605-665-5568 • Wats: 1-800-456-0744 M.T. & R.C. Smith MPCI & Crop Hail 38 Years Of Crop Insurance Experience We Proudly Support FFA 319 Walnut Street, Yankton SD 605-665-5884 • missourivalleyshopper.com Proud to Support FFA! Your Channel Seedsmen Scott & Frank Nedved: 605-660-5353 www.n2seed.com