• 2023 State CDE Schedule

**NEW** 2023 Annual Report Available

The 2023 version of the Annual Report is ready. The accuracy of the data collected is important for the State FFA Office to complete the Annual Report submitted on behalf of the state association to the National FFA. It is even more important to Kansas Agricultural Education to validate what is occurring in the local programs. Several times the data from previous surveys were reviewed to help an instructor with extended contract opportunities/challenges, assist the Foundation in sharing sponsorship opportunities, or develop a fact sheet showcasing the relevance of agricultural education/ FFA.

Remember ALL teachers in your agricultural education department will need to complete the survey by May 20th for your FFA chapter to be in Good Standing. There is only one survey - if you are the only teacher or the lead teacher in your program you will be directed to complete the entire survey. In programs where there is more than one instructor the other instructor(s) will be directed to the Teacher Status portion of the survey.

**NEW** State FFA Convention

To assist you in preparation for the 94th Kansas FFA State Convention - May 31-June 2, please find attached the following items - Tentative Schedule and Frequently Asked Questions.

Please note that both of these items are in a DRAFT form and will continually be updated as we finish signing contracts and receive confirmations to welcome members back to Manhattan and Convention. Additional information will be available on the Kansas FFA Convention page.

**NEW** 2023 Growmark Scholarships

The GROWMARK Foundation will provide a total of 55 $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing agriculture and business-related degrees or certificates at colleges, universities, and technical schools in the United States and Ontario, Canada. The application is live and closes on May 12, 2023. 

Scholarships will be awarded based on information collected in this application, including academic achievement, school, and community involvement, and essay responses. Selections will be made by an independent team of agribusiness and business professionals selected by GROWMARK, and their decision will be final. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the student's account at their respective school.

Additional Information & Application

**NEW** Earth Day Resources

Please find below some beef sustainability resources that may be handy as we approach Earth Day. Feel free to share with your students as beef farmers and ranchers continue to be dedicated to producing beef in a way that prioritizes the planet, people, animals, and progress. These were provided by the Kansas Beef Council.

**REMINDER** One Month Left: Grants for Growing Program

Just one month left to apply for the Grants for Growing (G4G) program. G4G is a competitive grant program for middle and high school FFA chapters that are developing and improving project-based or experiential learning opportunities for students. FFA chapters may apply for up to $5,000 through this program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. Learn more and apply by Monday, May 15.

Kansas FFA Numbers

Frequently questions are asked about the number of applications submitted. Thought it would be interesting to take a quick look at the most recent two school years, 5-years ago, and the highest number on record for the National Chapter and Proficiency applications.

*Winners

State CDE Room Block

Several have been asking about State CDEs and State Convention room blocks. Currently, the Four Points by Sheraton is offering a room block for State CDEs currently and will be creating a block for State FFA Convention. If you are interested in securing the block rate, please call or email Brista Colandrea to book reservations at 785-539-5311 or bcolandrea@hulsinghotels.com.

Four Points by Sheraton, 530 Richards Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Group Name: Future Farmers of America Apr2023

Dates: Check-In Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 3:00 PM and Check-Out Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Room Rate: $99.00 (Includes breakfast)

Cut-Off date: Friday, April 21, 2023 by 3:00 PM

Challenge of Champions Scholarship Opportunity

If your local fair is a member of the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Association, you are encouraged to select a young person to represent your fair in the Agricultural Challenge of Champions competition at the Kansas State Fair to compete for one of two $2,250 scholarships.

The intent of the Agricultural Challenge of Champions is to recognize an outstanding Kansas 4-H or FFA-oriented youth. Selection and nomination criteria are delegated to the County Fair Board but each contestant must be certified by their Extension Agent (4-H) or Agricultural Education Instructor (FFA).

One contestant can be entered by each county or consolidated county fair that is a current Kansas Fairs & Festivals Association member.

The contest tests the agricultural skills and knowledge of young people 16-19 years of age. The format includes identification of breeds of livestock, feed concentrates and/or roughages, retail meat cuts, common crops, common weeds, agronomic items, tractor parts written tests on farm equipment, management and general agriculture, and a five-minute impromptu presentation on agriculture.

Each local unit may determine its method for selecting youth to represent them at the state contest in September. Some counties may choose to host their own local Challenge of Champions Contests. For information and best management practices to host your local contest, contact Kelsey Nordyke, 620-222-1311, klnordyke@ksu.edu. Entries are due by August 15. Additional information can be found at https://bit.ly/3KtKz0E.

National FFA Board Approves Federal Priorities for 118th Congress

The National FFA Board of Directors has approved the 118th Congress Federal Priorities. The organization will use these pillars to support public policy initiatives important to agricultural education constituencies. While some of the initiatives remain similar to years past, the expanded language allows FFA to be more agile and accessible to engage National FFA and its membership on important matters.

State CDE/LDE Information & Registration

Please find updated guidelines on the Kansas FFA Career Development Events webpage. Any resources that aren’t currently there should be available shortly.

• Registration is open for CDEs, LDEs, and Agriscience Fair. Please remember, the cost is $10 per CDE team, not per individual, and there is no cost for LDEs taking place during State FFA Convention or Discussion Meet. If you have LDE teams/individuals participating at State FFA Convention, your chapter must be registered for the convention.
• Discussion Meet registration is included in the State CDE registration list due to the preliminaries happening during State CDEs.
• When registering students for Agriscience Fair, choose the appropriate category from the list of events. Students may only enter one individual project or one team project, not one project in each division.
• If your chapter has not provided a payment from last year’s state CDEs/Convention or is not in good standing with the state association, your registration will be removed.

Kansas FFA Today - The most current issue of Kansas FFA Today, along with the past two issues are archived on KSFFA.org/ Resources for Teachers/ About Kansas FFA