From The Council

Professional Growth Series Close Out Sale
The National Council for Agricultural Education is liquidating all of their instructional materials that are on inventory at the Curriculum Materials Service. Everything must go! Prices are only guaranteed while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis. All prices include shipping & handling. http://www.teamaged.org/council/index.php/professional-growth-series

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From FFA

We're rebuilding ffa.org, and we want to know what you'd like to see on the new site. Take this short seven question survey.

New Century Farmer Application Deadline Fast Approaching!
The deadline for New Century Farmer applications is almost here!  Fifty of the agriculture industry’s best are selected each year to be part of this week long experience.  Selected participants will partake in numerous learning sessions on topics ranging from farm succession, global agriculture, ag marketing and finance, to new and emerging farm machinery.  Additionally participants will take part in numerous field and operation tours and participate in an extensive team building experience.  This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is free for those students who are selected!

The New Century Farmer program will be July 19-23, 2010 in Johnston, IA.  Applicants must be:

• Enrolled or a recent graduate of an agriculture college or university
• Have a background in production agriculture
• Plan to return to production agriculture as a career after college   

Please contact Marty Tatman for any questions at mtatman@ffa.org.  Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2010 and can be found at www.ffa.org/ncfarmer.

The New Century Farmer program is sponsored by Pioneer – A DuPont Business, Rabo AgriFinance, and Case IH, with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Would you like to win a $50 gift certificate to FFA Unlimited? 
Do you have a great SAE Cooperative idea you would like to share with other chapters?  If your idea is selected as one of the best 10 ideas, you would win a $50 gift certificate to FFA unlimited.  Chapters selected will be recognized during the Proficiency luncheon at the 83rd National FFA Convention on Thursday, October 21, 2010 (no travel expenses provided).  If you would like to participate, please e-mail the information to proficiency@ffa.org .  Include a description of the SAE Cooperative in 500 words or less, school policies used to support the SAE Cooperative, training agreements if used, operational budget, key resources or other information that could be used to duplicate the SAE Cooperative at another school, See example below:

Example:
Description of SAE:
Students purchase products to retail to other students, community residents and school district personnel. Wholesale companies in the area donate products periodically and the school uses discounts to purchase tools and supplies. Students raise bedding plants from seed or plugs during the school year and seasonal crops such as poinsettias for the holidays. They sell plants throughout the school year to area consumers and on two weekends at the end of the year.

The cooperative sells shrubs, trees and related nursery plants used during the state Garden and Home Show to recoup the costs of participating in local events. Students learn how to market the items produced to minimize losses. Expenses are covered by the FFA chapter and under curriculum costs associated with training students to work in the shop.

Cooperative SAE  Title:
Spring Bedding Plant Sale

Other Comments (when available):
Tips:  The cooperative requires coordination and overall management from the FFA advisor. Loss of materials, damaged goods and turnover can be kept to a minimum with proper planning and instruction.

• Operational Procedures
• Budget
• School Policies
• Key Resources
• Training Agreements

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From NAAE

2010 Ag Discovery Program
The Ag Discovery Program application process has begun.  There is still time to apply.  The deadline for applications is April 10, 2010.

Ag-Discovery is an outreach program sponsored by USDA/APHIS and partnering universities to help students learn about careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, agribusiness and plant pathology. This 2 – 3 week program allows participants ages 12-17 to live on a college campus and learn about agricultural science from university professors, practicing veterinarians and professionals working for the U.S. Government. Students chosen to participate in Ag-Discovery will gain experience through hands-on labs, workshops, field trips and other group and team building activities.

For complete information on the Ag Discovery Programs, please visit our website at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery/

National Teach Ag Day Survey
We would like your feedback about National Teach Ag Day. Did you celebrate? How can we make it better? Please take this short 12 question survey.
http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/298706/1168/

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From ACTE

Exporting U.S. CTE Expertise
The International Consortium for the Export of Technical and Vocational Education and Training is hosting a special workshop, "Exporting U.S. CTE Expertise—Locating and Applying for Opportunities," at the 2010 National Policy Seminar. Download the flyer for more information or to register. More information on IETVET is available at www.ietvet.com.

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From the U.S. Department of Education

16 Finalists Announced in Phase 1 of Race to the Top Competition Finalists to Present in Mid-March; Winners Announced in Early April
The Dept. of Education announced that 15 states and the District of Columbia will advance as finalists for phase 1 of the Race to the Top competition. Race to the Top is the Department’s $4.35 billion effort to dramatically re-shape America’s educational system to better engage and prepare our students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace.
States competing for Race to the Top funds were asked to document past education reform successes, as well as outline plans to: extend reforms using college and career-ready standards and assessments; build a workforce of highly effective educators; create educational data systems to support student achievement; and turn around their lowest-performing schools.

The phase 1 finalists are:  Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana
Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.
"These states are an example for the country of what is possible when adults come together to do the right thing for children," Secretary Arne Duncan said.  Read the full news release

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From AgrowKnowledge

Agricultural Certifications
Careers in the various agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) require a wide spectrum of skills and knowledge. How can one demonstrate one’s skills and knowledge to an employer? While students attend and graduate from accredited colleges and universities the skills and knowledge possessed by each graduate vary.

In most areas of agriculture (AFNR) the methods of demonstrating knowledge and skills involve work experience, degrees from educational institutions, or product-based certificates. However some areas of agriculture (AFNR) provide certifications or accreditations.

AgrowKnowledge is developing some national certifications for introductory animal science, introductory plant science, biofuels, introductory agricultural biotechnology, geospatial technician, equine science and aquaculture.
To certify is to attest as meeting a standard, and in the educational arena, a certificate is a document certifying that one has fulfilled the requirements of a field. To see a list of some of the current certifications in agriculture check out the Special Projects - Certification section of our website.

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