In This Issue: Sacramento Scene Sacramento Scene: Governor Newsom’s Cautionary Message CATA Update August CATA Executive Committee Meeting Summary News & Views California FFA Foundation Chevy Truck Raffle The Fourth Circle of Agricultural Education 2022 NAAE Convention Dear Agricultural Education Teacher  Wilco FFA Forever Grants California Chapter Receives ‘Living to Serve’ Grant Made for Excellence and Advanced Leadership Academy Registration Opens Podcast Features FFA Alumni and Benefits of FFA National FFA News and Updates Special Incentives for "Selling" Cal Ag Plates

Sacramento Scene: Governor Newsom’s Cautionary Message By Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

Since the end of the legislative session on August 31, Governor Newsom has vetoed at least 18 bills, citing looming fiscal concerns. Veto messages from the Governor all contain a similar explanation: "With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined." (Newsom, 2022). Income tax revenue has been coming in at 11% below projected levels since the beginning of the year (Christopher, 2022). Lower than anticipated tax revenues are calculated at $4.4 billion thus far. Lost income tax and capital gains revenues are to blame for the shortfall.  Newsom has communicated that bills totaling $30 billion in one-time and ongoing funding have landed on his desk. The additional $30 billion was not part of the budget that was approved in June. The bills included program costs that were not budgeted (Nixon, 2022).  California's tax system relies on high-income earners, with the top 1% of California taxpayers contributing 49% of income tax in the state. Capital gain taxes on stock, homes and other investments contributed to the state's surplus income in recent years. Many of California's top earners did well during the pandemic, which increased state revenue. However, those earnings are starting to slow (Nixon, 2022).  Read more about California's current reserves and financial forecast.

August CATA Executive Committee Meeting Summary By Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) Executive Committee met on September 12, 2022. Below is a summary of the items discussed during the meeting.  Membership Total  CATA membership for the 2021-22 fiscal year was 978, which is a historic high for the organization.  2021/22 Budget Review  The Executive Committee did a final review of the 2021/22 CATA Budget. The budget was finalized after all expenses and receipts were settled from the CATA Summer Conference. CATA finished the fiscal year in the black and put money into reserves. It was noted that CATA is in good fiscal standing with enough funds in reserves to operate for several years if needed.  Highlights from the 2022 Summer Conference Survey Nearly 300 participants completed the 2022 CATA Conference Survey. Eight-eight percent of respondents rated the conference ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent.’ Conference attendance was at an all-time high for an in-person conference. Survey respondents indicated that changes to the schedule, specifically moving the Hall of Fame to the first session and dividing the New Teacher Introductions over multiple sessions, were welcome improvements.   The Executive Committee expressed the need for teachers to report and supply information on retiring teachers, so people get recognition for their service. However, the committee would also like to note that not all retiring teachers want to be recognized, and some explicitly request that their names not be publicized as retirees. Recommendations  It was recommended to the CATA Executive Director by the Executive Committee that legal representation be retained on behalf of the organization. It was noted that a firm representing the organization was a prudent strategic move due to the size and scope of the organization. Read More While an iconic American truck, in more recent years this particular 1952 Chevy has become a well-known fixture at many ag industry events. Now, thanks to a generous donation from American AgCredit, you have an opportunity to own a piece of American history. The California FFA Foundation is selling raffle tickets to win this 1952 Chevy truck. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at upcoming industry including: Blue Diamond Growers Annual Meeting - Modesto California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting - Monterey The Almond Conference - Sacramento World Ag Expo - Tulare You can also request tickets by completing this form. Tickets cannot be sold online. The drawing will take place during the 95th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference, March 16-19, 2023, in Ontario, California. You must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket and do not need to be present to win. For complete raffle rules, visit the official terms and condition.  The Fourth Circle of Agricultural Education By Dr. Kathryn Teixeira While debate on whether the three-circle model of agricultural education is relevant today, I think back to my time as an undergraduate student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Mr. Gerald Clark was an integral part of my decision to become a school-based agricultural education instructor. One of the most memorable classroom discussions I remember Mr. Clark leading centered around the three-circle model. As a class, we identified the three circles (Classroom, SAE, and FFA) but Mr. Clark told us about another very important circle—one that encompasses all of the other circles; The Fourth Circle of Agricultural Education: Community.  Alone, the three circles represent what happens within our agricultural programs; Classroom, SAE, and FFA. But how do we decide what we teach? What SAEs are successful in our areas? Who are the strongest supporters of the agricultural and FFA programs? The answer to each of these questions is the community. It’s been more than 15 years since I sat through that discussion, and it still resonates with me today. As I worked with the contributing authors for the most recent issue of NAAE’s The Agricultural Education Magazine, I was reminded more and more about the fourth circle. The people we surround ourselves with in agricultural education are the people who will help us lead a successful program. Our community members support school-based agricultural education programs by guest speaking in agriculture classes, helping coach CDEs, fundraising for and driving students to conferences, and supporting students who go on to college through scholarship programs. The success of the agricultural education program rests on the help from those around us.

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2022 NAAE Convention Viva, Las Vegas! It’s not too late to register for the 2022 NAAE Convention, which will be held November 29 through December 3 in Las Vegas. The convention offers networking and professional development opportunities unlike any other conference or convention—more than 60 innovative learning sessions will be presented by agricultural educators for agricultural educators. Members can register for the conference in advance by visiting www.naae.org/convention2022/registration.cfm.

Dear Agricultural Education Teacher  By Tim Klaiber

After thirty years of working in special education at Anderson Union High School in Anderson, California, Tim Klaiber reflects on the impact agricultural education programs have had on his students.  “Getting to know the teachers in our agricultural education department over these past 30 years has convinced me why students who tend to struggle elsewhere on campus, don’t within your realm. I believe it is two-fold. First, I believe you accept these students into your ranks as they are, but you put expectations on them as far as conduct. They seem to fall in line because they want to be a part of this “school within a school.” Secondly, I believe you offer a variety of activities such as animal raising, Christmas tree cutting and drive through BBQ fundraisers, hands-on activities at the school farm, applied learning classroom activities—all of which our IEP students do not feel overwhelmed by.” Mr. Klaiber shares about how his school’s agriculture department and special education department created a mutually beneficial partnership that encouraged students to thrive.  “Thank you for working diligently to provide for our students and helping our students to not only embrace the whole concept of the agricultural education program, but also giving them a home where they can grow and succeed!” This thoughtful tribute to agricultural educators is included in the September/October edition of the NAAE’s The Agricultural Education Magazine. Read the complete article here.

Wilco FFA Forever Grants

It’s not too late to apply for a Wilco FFA Forever grant to improve your chapter. FFA chapters do not need to be located near a Wilco store to apply; all California chapters are eligible. Selected projects will receive $250-$4,000 grants for projects that benefit the chapter and/or community. Past projects have included chapter equipment and facility investments like greenhouses and land labs, educational activities, and service projects. It only takes a few minutes to apply, but applications are closing soon. Apply by Friday, October 14, 2022.

APPLY TODAY!

California Chapter Receives ‘Living to Serve’ Grant

The National FFA Organization’s ‘Living to Serve’ Grant program provides middle and high school FFA chapters with up to $1,200 per semester to implement a service-learning project in their community. Through a competitive application process, California’s Temecula-St. Jeanne FFA Chapter was recently awarded funds to create a native plant garden to grow cultural awareness of the Pechanga Tribe of Indians' customs and traditions. Is there a need in your community that could be addressed by your FFA chapter? Applications are being accepted now through December 15 for the next funding cycle. Visit www.ffa.org/livingtoserve/grants/ for more information.

Made for Excellence and Advanced Leadership Academy Registration Opens

Mark your calendars, because registration is starting for California FFA’s Made for Excellence (MFE) and Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA). Registration is $100 per member. November 1: Register for conferences in Monterey, Sacramento, and Ontario November 3: Register for conferences in Modesto, Redding, and Visalia These two-day conferences are designed to engage sophomore (MFE) and junior (ALA) FFA members at their respective levels. MFA participants will spend the weekend learning about their personal values and understanding how to connect with others, while ALA participants will discover how to work with others and accomplish a shared goal. MORE INFO

Podcast Features FFA Alumni and Benefits of FFA

Check out the latest episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, featuring California FFA Foundation Executive Director of Development Katie Otto, sixth generation farmer and past California FFA State Officer Daniel Bays, and Almond Board of California Industry Relations Specialist Rebecca Bailey. The speakers discuss the positive difference FFA makes in the lives of youth and how the lessons learned in FFA programs prove valuable in the real world. LISTEN

National FFA News and Updates Compiled by Jason Ferreira, Hanford High School Ag Teacher and National FFA Teacher Ambassador

National FFA SAE Grants Do you know an FFA member that needs financial assistance to help start or expand their SAE project? This year, the National FFA Organization will be awarding 371 grants of $1,000 each to eligible FFA members. The application period is open now through Tuesday, November 15. Apply here. The National FFA is also seeking judges to review the grant applications. If you would like to participate as a judge, email saegrants@ffa.org.  #SpeakAg Showcase at National Convention & Expo #SpeakAg State Showcase will debut at the 2022 National FFA Convention & Expo. The showcase is a chance for members to create videos that promote agriculture and FFA in their states. Members may submit as many videos as they like. Click here to learn more about the program. For the 2023 National Convention & Expo, #SpeakAg Showcase will replace the Hall of States.