Sarah Osborn Welty, NAAE President

As a professional organization, NAAE is dedicated to the growth of agricultural education and the organizations of which if is composed. We are dedicated to the Team AgEd concept. What exactly is Team AgEd and what does it do? In simplest terms, Team AgEd is composed of all agricultural education organizations and it works together to make happen what each individual organization can’t do alone.

The “players” in Team AgEd include: American Association for Agricultural Education, National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education, National Association of Agricultural Educators, National Farm and Ranch Business Management Education Association, Agricultural Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education, National Young Farmer
Education Association, Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organization, National FFA Organization, National FFA Alumni, National FFA Foundation, and The National Council for Agricultural Education.

The Team AgEd concept sets the stage for collaborations between groups and will propel agricultural education initiatives forward for the benefit of those we serve.

Does Team AgEd have an office? As a matter of fact, it does not. Team AgEd is a concept, not a location. In fact, the headquarters for each of these organizations are located throughout the United States in locations that best allow them to conduct their business and meet their member’s needs.

This brings me to my next point. Where should NAAE be located to best meet the needs of our members? Your NAAE board of directors has spent many hours deliberating this very topic. Our thoughts culminated at a special board meeting conducted during the National FFA Convention in October 2002. The NAAE board of directors requested proposals from any organization or institution wishing to discuss with us the possibility of locating our NAAE office with them. We received eight proposals and then invited three finalists make presentations before the NAAE board. After listening to the three presentations, the board determined that our best avenue for operation existed in Lexington, Kentucky in collaboration with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. The NAAE mission and vision focuses on professional development, advocacy, and leadership for agriculture education. Moving our headquarters to UK allows NAAE the financial savings and availability of quality employees dedicated to agricultural education and its advancement to do just that. The NAAE relocation to Lexington, Kentucky will be finalized in July 2003.

The possibilities with the new location are endless. This move will allow NAAE the ability to collaborate with the members of Team AgEd for everyone’s success. This was a major decision and one that did not occur without much thought and deliberation. The board of directors appreciates the hours put in by other entities on NAAE’s behalf. We look forward to answering your questions concerning our new location.

NAAE is moving forward toward our mission of better serving our members with professional development, advocacy, and leadership for the profession. NAAE is a TeamAgEd player and believes that Together, Everyone Achieves More!