Blue & Gold Gala Set New Record |
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The 7th annual Blue & Gold Gala, presented by Arizona Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services hit a record this year raising $529,014 to support agriculture education and the FFA in Arizona! This year a new attendance record was hit, with the amazing turnout of 688 attendees. It was an incredible night at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa for the "Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture."
The evening kicked off with the reception, silent auction and time to kick up your heels on the dance floor with the Josh Scott Band. There were more than 180 packages ranging from gift baskets, experiences, hotel packages, equipment and much more!
The wonderful Bobby Wuertz served as our illustrious emcee for the evening. We were pleased to recognize Salt River Project as the 2023 Blue & Gold Honoree and Ed Curry as the 2022 Agriculturalist of the Year. An incredible live auction and paddle raiser was led by professional auctioneer and past State FFA President, Anna Aja.
We are thrilled to announce the 8th annual Blue & Gold Gala will be held, January 27, 2024, presented by Arizona Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial. We are excited to return to the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa!
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Mark Your Calendars for the
8th annual Blue & Gold Gala!
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2023 Blue and Gold Award Presented to
Salt River Project
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For its years of commitment and support to the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation, Salt River Project (SRP) has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Blue & Gold Award. The award recognizes an individual, group or organization that best supports the Foundation, the Arizona FFA youth and agriculture education.
SRP has been a long-time supporter of FFA and agriculture education for more than 15 years. The grant they have provided to the Foundation has supported the FFA Scholarship Program, Blue & Gold Gala, Agricultural Mechanics Design & Fabrication Entrepreneur/Placement Proficiency Award, the State FFA Officer Program and general contributions. In addition, over the past two years the not-for-profit, community-based utility also has been a part of the Blue Jacket Legacy Program.
SRP’s rich history is deeply tied to Arizona’s agriculture industry. In 1903, the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association was formed by a group of local ranchers and farmers. After being selected as one of the nation’s first reclamation projects, Association members pledged their own land as collateral to secure a federal loan to construct Theodore Roosevelt Dam at the Tonto Basin site. For 120 years, SRP has been committed to Arizona residents, accomplishing historical milestones and receiving numerous awards. Read more of the SRP story...
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Arizona Association Awards
2022 Agriculturalist of the Year
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Ed Curry, an outstanding agriculturalist, community service leader and FFA supporter, is the recipient of the 2022 Arizona Association FFA Agriculturalist of the Year award. This award is given to a member of the agriculture community who has a strong spirit of leadership and has made a significant contribution to Arizona agriculture and the community. The Arizona FFA State Officers make the selection annually from nominations the FFA members and teachers submit from across the state.
Ed is a fourth-generation farmer from Pearce, Arizona. His father began growing chile in 1957 and Ed has taken it to the next level with his innovative development in genetics. Ed and his family run Curry Chile and Seed with 2,000 acres and four processing plants. They also have small acreage in Sonora, Mexico where they produce Chile for genetic improvement. He employees 25 full-time staff and seasonally 100 or more part-time. Curry Chile & Seed provides a selection of seed from a wide range of red and green chile varieties with their unique flavors in three heat levels - Mild, Medium, and Hot.
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Congratulations Ag Raffle Winners |
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We are proud to have Stotz Equipment, Kerrs Family Dairy, Marana Stockyards, Western Skies Advisory, Ron & Heather Rayner and Sonoran Associates as partners this year providing the amazing prizes for the Fundraising for Ag Education Raffle.
The winner of the Grand Prize, John Deere Utility Vehicle valued at $10,000 or store credit is Pat English
The 1st Place prize of $2,500 credit at Stotz Equipment in Arizona is Rebecca Rovey
The 2nd Place prize, Recteq Grill Package and Beef Ronald Braun
And the winner of the $500 shopping spree at Sportsmans Warehouse is Jackie Drysdale
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Congratulations
to the
Jackson Hole, WY
Gala Raffle Winner
Scott Van Der Toorn
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Register Today for the 9th annual
Bustin Clay for FFA Trap Shoot
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We are already 25% sold out for this action packed event! Don't wait to register for the 9th annual Bustin' Clay for FFA Trap Shoot presented by United Right of Way. This event will be held on April 22, 2023 at the Casa Grande Trap & Skeet.
This event sells out quickly so don't delay! Grab your friends and assemble a team of 5 or join us as an individual and we can team you up with some great participants.
Special thank you to Farm Bureau Financial Services for providing the catering services, Arizona Pork Council and Arizona Center for Rural Leadership for the support of the lunch. Sponsors joining us this year include Ag West Farm Credit, Azelis, Empire CAT, Farm Bureau Insurance - Agent Steve Goucher, and Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona. There is still time to support the event through one of the many sponsorships available.
Sponsorship opportunities available include:
- Award Sponsors $200 (8 available)
- Trap Sponsor $300 (unliminted)
- Coffee/donut Sponsor $350
- Ammo Sponsors $500 (14 available)
- Double Barrel Sponsor - Includes a Trap Sponsorship & Team $600
We are seeking donations for the raffle. If you would like to donate a product or service, please click the link below to submit a donation or contact Meagan Kimmerle at [email protected].
Don't forget to grab your raffle tickets when you register. Must be present for the raffle. Purchase individual tickets or grab a bundle of six tickets which gives you a chance to win this incredible fire pit donated by Steve Goucher, Agent with Farm Bureau Financial Services.
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2023 Blue Jacket Legacy Program |
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We are proud to announce that the FFA Blue Jacket Legacy Program awarded 104 students with their very own FFA jackets this year! Over the past five years we have been able to award 555 FFA jackets to Arizona FFA members through this program! We could not do that without your generosity.
Your contribution of $80 per jacket will help us reach next year's goal of awarding over 100 FFA jackets. The sponsorship covers the cost of an FFA jacket, shipping expenses, as well as a special FFA patch inside each student's jacket.
Please consider donating a jacket to this program or renewing your jacket sponsorship by clicking the link below to submit your donation or you may send it directly to the office: Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation, PO Box 5310, Glendale, AZ 85312.
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Senior Society Honor Program |
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Honor a High School Senior with a one-time gift to the Arizona FFA Foundation through your donation of $19.28 per High School Senior, Arizona FFA member in good standing.
1928 is a significant year when the National FFA Organization was founded. Each honoree will receive a Senior Society FFA decal, recognized by having their name listed during a State FFA Leadership Conference conference session, and listed on the website from spring 2023 until spring 2024.
This is a great opportunity for friends, family, and alumni to recognize the 2023 seniors! Anyone can subnmit a 2023 Senior to recognize for their hardwork, dedicaiton and commitment to their education.
If you would like to honor a 2023 High School FFA Senior you may click the link below.
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Endowment Support Opportunities |
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The Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation currently has four endowments that we are are working on completing to fully endow scholarships in memory of these amazing men below that made an impact in agriculture education, FFA and the agriculture industry in Arizona. If you are interested in supporting one of the endowments below, we encourage you to make a contribution through the link or you may send a check to the Arizona Agricultural/Education Foundation at PO Box 5310, Glendale, AZ 85312.
If you are interested in establishing an endowment, you may set that up with a minimum contribution of $15,000 to provide a $50 perpetual scholarship. To learn more about endowment opportunities, please contact the office at 602-705-9211 or [email protected].
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Sisters and FFA
An interview with two sisters and their happenstance
tumble into Arizona Agriculture Education & Arizona FFA
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This month we connected with sisters Bethany Matos, State FFA Executive Secretary for the
Arizona Department of Education, and Ashley Masters, Biology, Agriscience Teacher & FFA Advisor at Dobson High School. We were able to interview them regarding their agriculture education backgrounds, their start in FFA, and the incredible impact these programs have made on their lives. When asked when these sisters got their start in FFA, their answers were very different, but their FFA outcome was the same, a passion for agriculture education. Click here to continue to read this insightful story.
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What are the benefits of giving to us through your will? Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime. You can modify your gift to address changes in your life. Under current tax law, there is no upper limit on the estate tax deduction for your charitable bequests.
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