Lessons from Lonesome Dove

On the coffee table in our living room is a book of photos from the TV miniseries Lonesome Dove. (Incidentally, I have read the book and watched the miniseries many times.) Many say the author, the late Larry McMurtry wrote one of the best western portrayals of people and ideals. It’s definitely one of the best, in my humble opinion.


In case you haven’t read the book or seen the miniseries (and I’d encourage you to do that!), the two main characters, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call, are retired Texas Rangers who live in Lonesome Dove, Texas. They leave their home for one last adventure, to push cattle up to Montana. Cowboys of various skills, an old cook, a piano player and two pigs, accompany them. As you can imagine, it was quite the journey.  


As agriculture teachers, we can learn a lot from this miniseries. For example:


Vision – Woodrow Call got it in his head that Montana was the place to be. So he set a goal to accomplish it and did not let anything get in his way. As teachers, we need to set clearly defined goals and use our skills to work toward them.


Mentorship – Young Newt has a tremendous amount of potential but needs guidance along the way.  You probably know young ag teachers who could benefit from your knowledge and experience.


Loyalty – Pea Eye is not the brightest of the Hat Creek outfit, but give him an order, and he will see it through until it’s done.  We need to show the same kind of loyalty to make sure we get the job done.


Consequences – Jake Spoon falls in with a bad bunch of murdering horse thieves, which makes him one by association. I truly believe that ag teachers are held to a higher standard than other teachers. Let’s make sure that we keep our associations with others above board.


Remember Gus’s final words to his friend before he passed?  He said, “Well Woodrow, it’s been quite a party.” I hope when your ag teaching career concludes, you too can look back and say, “It’s been quite a party!”  


Best of luck and call on me anytime I can be of service to you.


Bill Newsom

NAAE President-Elect

2023 Annual Report 

The 2023 NAAE Annual Report is now available! Join us in reflecting on and celebrating our 2023 accomplishments.

2023 Annual Report

2024 NAAE Regional Conferences

Attending a regional conferences is great way to connect with other agricultural educators, get involved in the organization and stay up to date on the latest news, events, and professional opportunities. For the most up to date information related to regional conferences, including agendas and registration information, click here.

Region I Conference

(AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, 

NV, OR, UT, WA, WY)

May 28-31, 2024

San Diego, California


Region II Conference

(AK, CO, KS, LA, NM, OK, TX)

June 17-20, 2024

Topeka, Kansas


Region III Conference 

(IA, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI)

June 17-19, 2024

Dickinson, North Dakota

Region IV Conference

(IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, OH)

June 25-27, 2024

Westfield, Indiana


Region V Conference

(AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, 

PR, SC, TN, VI)

June 23-26, 2024

Warner Robins, Georgia


Region VI Conference

(CT, DE, ME, MA, MD, NH, NJ, 

NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV)

March 22-24, 2024

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

2024 NAAE Award Applications Now Live!

The 2024 NAAE Award Applications are now live! NAAE maintains an extensive awards program to recognize the accomplishments of our many talented and dedicated members. We have awards for agricultural educators in every stage of their careers, from scholarships to lifetime achievement. Applications are due May 15, 2024. Visit our website to learn more.

NAAE Awards and Scholarships

See you in San Antonio, Texas! Save the Date for the 2024 NAAE Convention!

We invite you to join us in San Antonio, Texas this year for the 2024 NAAE Convention! This year's convention will take place December 3-7. More details coming soon!

2024 National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy

Are you ready to develop professionally and change your teaching? We're now accepting applications for the 2024 National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. Visit our website to learn more! Applications are due March 15, 2024.

2024 National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy

NAAE President-Elect Bill Newsom Interviewed on RFD-TV

NAAE President-Elect Bill Newsom was on RFDTV's Market Day Report this morning from his classroom in Munford, Tennessee. While on air, Bill discussed the many programs that NAAE offers its members at every stage of their careers and the spark that he feels as an agricultural educator.

Watch Bill Newsom's Interview

State Teach Ag Results (STAR) Updates

39 of the 39 STAR (State Teach Ag Results) Program calls took place from December through February. States developed plans to recruit and retain highly qualified and diverse agricultural educators. Strategies are structured to focus on three pillars: 


  1. Recruitment strategies 
  2. Preservice engagement and retention 
  3. Current teacher retention and engagement


Over 310 attendees have interacted on the STAR calls to organize recruitment, retention, and recognition efforts, totaling 59 hours. 


Interested in becoming a STAR state? Contact Ashley Rogers.

My Local Cooperative Media Library

Visit the NAAE My Local Cooperative Media Library for a variety of resources related to cooperative education! Offerings include career profile videos and graphics, the My Local Cooperative Interactive Notebook, and more!

My Local Cooperative Media Library

My Local Cooperative is an initiative of the National Association of Agricultural Educators with funding support from the CHS Foundation.

Calendar


March 15 - National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy Applications are due


March 17-20 - National Policy Seminar and Agricultural Education Strand (Alexandria, Virginia)


March 22-24 - Region VI Conference (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)


May 15 - NAAE Award Applications Due

The National Association of Agricultural Educators is a federation of state agricultural educators' associations with more than 9,500 members. NAAE members are involved in school-based agricultural education at any level, from middle school through postsecondary, and state and national agricultural education leadership.


NAAE is committed to advancing, in our organization and communities, inclusion, diversity and equity. The choice to create a just and equitable organization is not accidental. We intentionally prioritize fostering an inclusive environment that ensures people are respected and valued. We are committed to creating and supporting programs and policies that build an organization that values open communication and is respectful of differences.

National Association of Agricultural Educators

www.naae.org | #TeachAg | naae@uky.edu

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