State FFA Leadership Conference
Career & Education Expo
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Can you believe the 93rd State FFA Leadership Conference is just a few months away! More than 1,500 students and guests will be decending upon Tucson, June 9-11, 2022 for Breakthrough!
We are thrilled to be back at the University of Arizona, Centennial Hall after a few years away, where the general sessions will be held. The beautiful Westin La Paloma will once again serve as the host hotel for the confernece where the Career Fair, workshops and other competitions will be held throughout the conference.
This year the Foundation has the pleasure to coordinate the Career Fair and we can't wait to open those doors on the morning of June 9th to showcase the many companies, associations, educational institutes and careers. This is a great opportunitiy for companies and associations to showcase their industry, internship and career opportunities to FFA members as they look to their future. The Career Fair will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 8:00 am to Noon in the Pavillion at Westin La Paloma. We are thrilled to already have 10 tables reserved and registrations are coming in daily. Early registration ends May 15th for the discount exhibitor rate so don't wait to register! Foundation Sponsors that have contributed $2,500 or more tthis past year will have a complimentary booth as part of the Star Program. For more information you may visit https://azffafoundation.org/ffa-leadership-conference
One of the unique programs held during the State FFA Leadership Conference is the Day of Service. Three hundred FFA members from around the state gathered last year to prepare and package 30,000 meals for local food banks in the Tucson area. As students of agriculture, the FFA members certainly know the value of the production of America’s food and fiber. This program helps them to see the other side of the food equation, where far too many Americans go to bed hungry every night. More importantly, it allows them to see how a solution to a global problem is ultimately addressed at the local level, working side-by-side with their friends and neighbors.
We are looking for support for the Day of Service Program, conference photogrpaher, Meet & Greet Reception for the proficiency and scholarship recipients and the Foundation Reception for the guests, donors, alumni, parents and others. If you would like to be a part of supporting the State FFA Leadership Conference, please contact Rochell at rochell@azffafoundation.org or 602-705-9211. You can also find more details about the program opportunities by clicking on the button below.
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Foundation Board Feature - Doug Norton |
Growing up in Duncan, AZ, Doug Norton had many opportunities to experience production agriculture on his own family’s farm and throughout the Duncan valley. When he made it to high school, he readily recognized the blue jackets being worn by many of the student as his older brother had been involved in FFA. When it came time for him to select his extracurricular activities at school, he chose FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). But that was in no way a reflection of his feelings toward agriculture nor the deep level of respect he had for those agricultural producers who, with faith, work the land.
After High School, Doug went to two separate years of school at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, AZ. Those two years bookended two years spent in South Korea as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that were life changing years for him in so many respects. After returning and transferring to ASU to pursue a degree in Economics, he took a job at Bank of America, first in their retail branch system and then in their commercial account service department. After 5 years at Bank of America, Doug took a job with Farm Credit Services Southwest in Tempe. He was familiar with this company because his parents had been customers of Farm Credit in the past.
Now called Farm Credit West, he has been with this same company for 23 years with most of the time serving as the relationship manager in their Tempe, Safford, and Prescott offices. During that period of time, he earned a master’s degree in Agribusiness from ASU. For the last 4 years, he has functioned as branch manager of the Tempe branch serving customers in Maricopa, Pinal, La Paz, and Mohave Counties. Doug shared “My career has been beyond rewarding and allows me to support the industry that is so vital to our communities, our state, nation, and the world. My respect for the individual producer and the industry as a whole has only grown deeper since my years hoeing weeds from the cotton fields in Duncan."
Doug has been married to the most wonderful companion, Christianne, for 25 years and they have four children that have enriched their lives beyond measure. When not crunching the numbers at work, Doug enjoys spending time with his family, reading books, and hiking the Grand Canyon.
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FFA is Aiming High in April |
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Get ready to aim high for the 8th Bustin Clay for FFA Trap Shoot, presented by United Right-Of-Way! We only have one team slot available and a couple individual registrations.
Grab your friends and colleagues and join us for a fun day outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather at the Casa Grande Trap and Skeet on April 23, 2022.
Sponsorship opportunities available include:
- Ammo Sponsorship
- Trap Sponsorship
- Lunch Sponsorship
- Double Barrel
Includes trap sponsorship & team of 5 (only one remaining)
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The Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation has an opportunity available for you to honor and recognize a graduating Senior this year! This is a great way to add some excitement and recognition for their accomplishments and the year they have completed. Through a one-time gift of $19.28 to the Arizona FFA Foundation, per High School Senior FFA member, they will become part of the 1928 Senior Society. The year 1928 is significant as that was the year National FFA was founded!
Each inductee will:
- Receive a 1928 Senior Society FFA decal
- Be recognized by having their name listed in the State FFA Leadership Conference app in June
- Be recognized on screen with the 1928 Senior Society list during the State FFA Leadership Conference in June.
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Be listed on the 1928 Senior Society page of the Foundation website until spring 2023. https://azffafoundation.org/1928-senior-society
This is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, FFA Alumni Chapters, FFA Chapters and many others to recognize the seniors as you approach banquet and graduation! Make your donation no later than May 15, 2022, to recognize your graduating Senior!
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FFA Award & Program Sponsorship
Opportunties Available
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Through Career and Leadership Development Events, participating FFA members are challenged to develop critical thinking and effective decision-making skills. They also foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement.
The proficiency award program honors FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.
There are several opportunities available to sponsor a Career or Leadership Development Event or Proficiency Award for the 2022-2023 academic year. If you or your company would like to learn more about the sponsorship opportunities please contact Rochell Planty at rochell@azffafoundation or 602-705-9211 for more information.
Here are some of the opportunities available:
Proficiency Awards
Ag Sales Entrepreneurship
Poultry Production
Specialty Crop Production
Turf Grass Management
Career Development Events
Agriculture Communications CDE
Agriscience Fair Awards
Agronomy CDE
Agricultural Communications CDE
Agricultural Mechanics CDE
Agricultural Sales CDE (Co-Support)
Aquaculture CDE
Chapter Display CDE
Entomologyy CDE
Food Science and Technology CDE
Forestry CDE
Poultry CDE
Range Management CDE
Tool ID Advanced Division CDE
Veterinary Science CDE
Wildlife CDE
Leadership Development Events
Conduct of Meetings LDE Awards (Co-Support)
Marketing Plan LDE
Novice Extemporaneous Public Speaking
Parliamentary Procedure LDE Awards (Co-Support)
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If you attended February’s annual gala celebration, you couldn’t have helped notice the tremendous amount of money raised in our live auction. You may have even made a winning bid yourself! While those funds were current gifts (and current payments!), planned gifts of securities, real estate, or even life insurance can provide an even brighter future for Arizona FFA members.
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