Happy New Year from NAAE!

I hope you are well rejuvenated after a richly deserved winter break. As we kick off the new year, I wanted to take a moment to welcome you all back and express my gratitude for your dedication to agricultural education. Winter break is always a special time for educators, as it allows us to recharge our batteries and spend quality time with our loved ones. I hope you were able to make the most of this break and create lasting memories with your family and friends. It's important to prioritize our health and well-being, especially considering the demanding nature of our profession.


As we dive into the upcoming months, I want to remind you to take time for yourself. We all know that this time of year can be particularly busy. I like to call it the Ag Teacher Spartan with preparations for district competitions, state contests, state degrees, American degrees, proficiency awards, star awards, National Chapter applications. Alongside these responsibilities, we must not forget our day-to-day tasks such as grading, lesson planning, parent meetings, and more. It can be overwhelming, but remember that you are not alone. Lean on your fellow educators for support and share your experiences with one another.


The rewards of our hard work are immeasurable. Whether it's witnessing the smiles on our students' faces as they receive their state degrees or seeing them take the stage to celebrate their achievements, these moments remind us why we chose this profession. The impact we have on their lives and the lifelong friendships they form are invaluable.


As we navigate through the challenges and joys that lie ahead, let us continue to support one another and celebrate our successes. Our dedication to agricultural education is what drives us, and together, we can achieve great things.


Thank you for your commitment to our profession, and I wish you all a successful and fulfilling year ahead.


Eric Tilleman

2023-2024 NAAE President

NAAE Facilitator Training Academy

NAAE facilitators from across the nation met January 12-13 in Lexington, Kentucky to engage in facilitator preparation for NAAE programs. NAAE Facilitators engaged in teamwork practices, content creation, and refined their facilitation skillsets. 


Our facilitators are trained to lead various NAAE professional development events such as the Future Agriscience Teacher Symposium, Agriscience Inquiry Institutes, the eXcellence in Leadership for Retention (XLR8), Teachers Turn the Key, and other professional development offered through NAAE. The 2024 NAAE Facilitator Training Academy was presented by NAAE mentor facilitators and Oregon agricultural educators J.D. Cant and Wes Crawford.

Mark Anderson, PA

Jacob Ball, KY

David Black, KY

Wes Crawford, OR

Beth Dickenson, OR

Jason Ferreira, CA

Nikki Fideldy-Doll, ND

Mary Elizabeth Foote, NY

Jessica Grundy, UT

Jeremy Hall, KY

John Hammond, KY

Farrah Johnson, FL

Rachel Knight, NM

Charlie Mann, NV

Sherisa Nailor, PA

Kim O'Byrne, NM

JoAnn Pfeiffer, OH

Krista Pontius, PA

Rachel Sauvola, WI

Scott Stone, MO

Troy Talford, WI

Chad Warnick, UT

Brian Welch, KY

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 17-29, 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

ACTE National Policy Seminar and Agricultural Education Strand

Save the date for the 2024 ACTE National Policy Seminar and Agricultural Education Strand, held March 17-20 in Arlington, Virginia. NAAE will again pay the registration fee of one representative per state to attend. Representative must be a current 2023-2024 NAAE active member. Registration will need to be completed through our NAAE registration link.

2024 National Policy Seminar Registration

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

Take a Virtual Tour of a Cooperative

Let's take a tour!


Whether an agricultural cooperative’s members deal in grain, dairy, fruits, or any other ag product, the goal is the same. To pool resources and combine product to have a better market share. Similarly, you will find many of the same careers within agricultural cooperatives, no matter what product they focus on.

My Local Cooperative Virtual Tour

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

Calendar


February 1 - NAAE Committee Leadership Training @ 6:30 pm EST


February 9-11 - NAAE Board of Directors Meeting (Lexington, Kentucky)


February 15 - NPS Ag Ed Strand Registration Due


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


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

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

(859) 967-2892 or (800) 509-0204


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