Governor Kehoe Proclaims National FFA Week

 On Monday, February 10th, on behalf of more than 27,000 members of Missouri FFA, Governor Mike Kehoe proclaimed Feb. 15-22, 2025, to be National FFA Week in Missouri.

Governor Kehoe drove a John Deere tractor to the Capitol in honor of the FFA tradition of students driving their tractor to school during National FFA Week. Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn, a fifth-generation farmer, joined in the tradition this year.

Missouri FFA President Andi Belt from the North Shelby FFA Chapter received the FFA Week proclamation on behalf of the 2024-2025 Missouri FFA State Officer team.

“Agriculture is near and dear to my heart and our state’s leading economic driver,” Governor Mike Kehoe said. “As first-generation farmers, Claudia and I are proud to support Missouri FFA members and recognize National FFA Week. These students will take Missouri’s agriculture industry to new heights and I am excited about what they will accomplish in the future.”

In 1928, 33 young men met at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Mo., and began the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA). Today, the organization’s official name is the National FFA Organization, which 97 years later is represented by 9,235 FFA chapters and 1,027,173 members nationwide. 

“This event is one of our favorites each year,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “I love spending the day with FFA members from across the state who are the future leaders in agriculture. It was fun to join Governor Kehoe today to celebrate this time-honored tradition to celebrate National FFA Week.”

Missouri FFA continues to help the next generation rise to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population. FFA allows members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. Missouri is home to 365 chapters and more than 27,000 members, ranking eleventh nationally for membership.

“Career and technical student organizations like FFA are helping grow the leaders of tomorrow,” Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Karla Eslinger said. “FFA students participate in real-world learning opportunities and develop employability skills that business and industry partners want to see in the next generation of Missouri’s workforce.”

To learn more about the Missouri FFA Association, visit MissouriFFA.org.

 

 

Bill Cottrell Recognized by Legislature; Plans to Attempt Missouri River Canoe Trip for 70th Birthday

Worth County grad Bill Cottrell has had a love of canoeing from shortly after he graduated from Missouri and got his first teaching job, at Farmington (IA). It was there that he took 15 kids on a trip and discovered a passion for canoeing. He has made plenty of canoeing trips since then.

Cottrell was a graduate with the Class of 1971. His favorite Bull Reece story growing up was during one year, when he wanted to go out for track, but couldn’t come to practice because of farming chores. So Bull Reece made a deal with him – if he ran to school along the roads, which were five miles away from Grant City, then he could still do track. He ran the 3200 for Worth County and the Bull would needle him, asking him if he could pick up the pace just a little bit from the pace he ran to school with. If the Bull was not happy with him, he would mispronounce his name on purpose, which would really get his attention. “I had nothing but respect for him,” said Cottrell.

Bill graduated from the University of Missouri, got his first job out of school at Farmington, and taught there until 1978. He returned to Worth County, where he had an opportunity to start farming and he substitute taught at Worth County under Doyle Bounds. After the farm crisis hit, he got back into teaching and went to Scotland County, where he taught Agricultural Education from 1984 to 2006, when he retired.

Mr. Cottrell said that his goal was to provide kids with opportunities to succeed in agriculture. He said his greatest accomplishment was seeing his two sons get their American FFA Degrees. The family tradition continues, as his grandson recently went to State FFA as a freshman. He was also involved in Boy Scouts, and one of his sons became an Eagle Scout. He has two sons and five grandchildren.

He always had time to do canoeing, and one time took a group of 18 boy scouts canoeing. He has built two canoes; one of them wasn’t big enough, so he built one bigger.

For Bill, who has always been a workaholic, work was not over when he retired from teaching, and he took a job at Christiansen Farms, a hog farm, and later Seaboard Farms when they bought Christiansen out. His job was to ensure that the hogs did not get contagious diseases. 

He said the biggest change was the willingness of kids to challenge themselves, which he said had gotten worse from the time he started to the time he finished teaching. He said it was not as bad in the rural schools.

For his accomplishments, State Rep. Mazzie Boyd successfully got a resolution passed in the Missouri House honoring him for his accomplishments. He plans to take a canoe trip down the Missouri River, starting on May 17th, for his 70th birthday. He plans to camp out all the way and make the entire 2,400 mile trip from Three Forks to St. Louis. Only seven to eight people do it successfully each year. The estimated time needed to make the trip is around 90 days. 

Missouri State Fair Set for August 13th to 23rd

The Missouri State Fair will not feature concerts at the grandstands this year, but the annual event will continue as it has since 1901. With many county fairs within the state and state fairs in surrounding states being canceled, many anticipated the same would occur in Missouri. The only time the state fair had ever been canceled was in 1943 and 1944 as a result of World War II. On Thursday, June 11, 2020, Governor Mike Parson surprised many when he publicly announced the Missouri State Fair will continue while acknowledging it will look different compared to previous years.

"The Missouri State Fair will not be canceled on my watch," said Governor Parson. "This will look different, but we will have a fair."

Shortly after the Governor's announcement, the Missouri State Fair issued a news release.

"Our hearts broke as we watched COVID-19 cancel fairs, festivals and expositions around the world. We know the countless hours our exhibitors and fair families have put into taking care of their livestock and 4-H and FFA projects. Our priority continues to be the promotion of excellence in Missouri agriculture and our future agriculture leaders," stated the release.

Missouri Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Mike Deering referred to the state fair as a youth leadership development event for young people in rural and urban areas alike.

"Many youth throughout the state exhibit livestock and other projects at the Missouri State Fair teaching them many valuable skills, including responsibility, work ethic and respect. We applaud the Governor, Missouri State Fair Commission, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn and all involved for standing up for the youth and ensuring they have the opportunity to exhibit their projects," said Deering. "Beyond those who exhibit projects, many visitors to the state fair get a firsthand look at agriculture and learn a lot about how they are connected to agriculture even if they live in downtown St. Louis."

Chase Thummel Wins Beef Proficiency at State FFA

Chase Thummel won the Beef Proficiency Placement award at state FFA contest this year. He is the son of Jeff and Debbie Thummel of Sheridan. Many students are going to state contests at this time of year. The FBLA will be going to state as well.

Cut to the Chase: Entertaining videos with a positive message

By Chris Fennewald

Today’s youth Twitter and Skype, Facebook with friends, and text on their phones at lightning speed. They also create good videos. This YouTube crowd created videos for Farm Bureau in a first-ever video contest asking FFA chapters to tell the story of agriculture in their own unique way.

The winning results were shown at the state FFA convention in April, and they were unique. FFAers continue to shine a bright future on agriculture.

These days, the U.S. public seems more concerned about how their food is produced and less concerned about the farm families who produce it. New generations of consumers far removed from the farm have lost track of agriculture. Their image of the red barn and barnyard persists. As consumers have progressed in their food choices, farmers have progressed in their farm practices. Red barns and barnyards are out, satellites and micronutrients are in.

Enter our modern FFA students, armed with computer savvy, smartphones and video cameras. They understand the today’s farm-to-food connection and are proud to share it.

This year’s winning video entry came from the Trenton FFA chapter. The video opens with a professional dog breeder explaining how the strict regulations proposed in Proposition B would shut her and other breeders down. The video cuts to students explaining why they are involved in agriculture.

A video from the Jackson chapter begins with full plates of food, cutting to an empty plate, then asking and later answering the question, “Why do we need agriculture?”

Beginning with the words “I believe...”, students from the McDonald County chapter use the FFA creed to tell their story. Every FFA student knows the creed. Although it was written in 1930, its meaning is as contemporary today as it was then.

The last paragraph of the creed states: “I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”

The creed’s author, E.M. Tiffany, knew nothing about smartphones and the Internet, but he did understand the impact of youth.

FFA students, armed with technology, are influencing not only their rural communities but anyone with online access. They realize their future in the industry does not include red barns and barnyards. They have the means to shape consumers’ perceptions of agriculture more than any generation before them. Encourage them to speak out for agriculture to preserve their place in it.

To see the six finalists in the FFA video contest go to mofb.org and click on the FFA icon on the left.

(Chris Fennewald, of Jefferson City, Mo., is editor of publications for Missouri Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization.)

Director of Ag Announces Grants for 4-H, FFA Youth Programs

Director of Agriculture, Dr. Jon Hagler announced the recipients of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Building Our American Communities grant program. Twenty-seven Missouri 4-H clubs and 14 chapters of the National FFA Organization received grants for 2011.

Youth organizations throughout Missouri submitted proposals for their projects for consideration for the grants, which range from $100 to $500. The Building Our American Communities program has been supporting youth projects in Missouri since the 1970s.

"The Building Our American Communities program is an outstanding opportunity for young people to be involved in their hometowns and to truly make a difference in those communities," said Director Hagler. "Young people are the future of Missouri's agriculture industry and I am proud to see their initiative and commitment to service featured in each of these projects."

Grants were awarded to 4-H clubs in Gasconade, St. François, Pulaski, Vernon, Barton, Cole, Morgan, Nodaway, Livingston, Audrain and Pike counties and within the City of St. Louis. FFA chapters receiving grants included programs in Eugene, Russellville, Jefferson City, Stover, Farmington, Perryville, Liberal, Lamar, Ozark, Barnard, Tina, Chillicothe, Mexico and Bowling Green.

The grants were awarded to fund specific projects in each of the local areas. Projects selected for funding are expected to benefit rural communities and promote community development. 4-H clubs and FFA chapters awarded 2011 grants must complete their projects no later than Sept. 1, 2011.

Projects may include improvements to existing facilities, grounds or buildings that are used by various groups or organizations in the applicant's community. Previously funded projects have included landscape and beautification projects, safety improvements for local fairgrounds and small renovations on damaged and aged public use structures.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture or visit mda.mo.gov.

Sen. Brad Lager Visits with State FFA Officers from Northwest Missouri

12^th District State Sen. Brad Lager visited with the Missouri State FFA officers during legislative session this week in recognition of National FFA Week. State FFA President Jon Black of Chillicothe and State Vice President Colton Lee of East Buchanan traveled to the Capitol and visited with Sen. Lager to discuss issues facing the agriculture industry and their experience as leaders of the Missouri State FFA.

“Agriculture is the most important industry in our state and I am proud that young people like Jon and Colton are making a commitment to continuing their agriculture education and joining Missouri’s most important industry,” said Sen. Lager. “I am also proud that Jon and Colton have chosen to take upon such important leadership roles to lead the young people who are the future of our agriculture industry.”

Jon Black is a 2010 graduate of Chillicothe High School and was a member of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter. Jon’s Supervised Agriculture Experience Program (SAEP) consisted of a herd of registered Hereford cattle from which he raised seed stock and commercial calves. Jon is attending North Central Missouri College and plans to transfer to the University of Missouri-Columbia and major in Agriculture Business. After graduation he plans to enter a career in the agriculture industry.

Colton Lee is a class of 2010 graduate from the East Buchanan High School in Gower, Missouri and was an active member of the East Buchanan FFA Chapter. His SAEP consisted of raising two acres of pumpkins along with two hundred mums. Colton is a current student at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Agriculture Systems Management.

For any questions, please contact Rich Germinder at 573-751-1415.

State FFA Results Told; Cody Mullock wins 1st, Four get Highest Honors

Cody Mullock of the Worth Co FFA Chapter, Parnell, Mo., was named the state winner of the FFA Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication Entrepreneurship and Placement Award at the 80th Missouri FFA Convention. Mullock, a graduate of Worth Co R-III High School, is the son of Kenneth and Coleen Mullock. His FFA advisor is Celia Brammer.
Mullock has participated in numerous FFA events and activities including national convention in 2004 and 2006, and Washington Leadership Conference in 2006. He also has served as chapter treasurer and in 2007 was awarded the State FFA Degree.
Mullock said he has wanted to be a welder since he was 10-years-old. He started his Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) four years ago at Mullock Farms working as a machine operator. Mullock began learning welding at the farm shop. His first projects were simple repair jobs done with a stick welder, but he soon learned mig welding and spent many hours in the shop practicing laying uniform beads. Always striving to learn new welding skills, Mullock said that he then learned how to use an oxy-acetylene torch, a band saw, a lathe and how to read blue prints. His welding skills have earned him a blue ribbon at the Missouri State Fair.
In 2006 Fletchall Pipe and Steel hired Mullock as a welder and fabricator. Mullock said that in his position he utilizes his skills to repair machinery and work on new projects like designing tools and equipment. Mullock said he is always thinking of ways to improve Fletchall's products. "It has taken several years and a great deal of practice, but I have become a very skilled welder," reflected Mullock.
In March 2008 Mullock graduated from Tulsa Welding School as a Certified Master Welder. He has plans to be a journeyman welder and work for a large corporation.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication and Entrepreneurship and Placement Combined Award are two of 47 proficiency awards presented at state level. Ahrens Steel and Welding Supply sponsored this award.
Local FFA Member Receives State's Highest FFA Honor
Tom Davidson, Connor Dignan, Logan Dignan and Allison Hunt received the State FFA Degree, the highest degree members can receive at the state level. The Worth County chapter members were ones of 724 degree recipients receiving the honor during the State Degree Ceremony at the 80th Missouri FFA Convention. The annual convention was held April 17–18 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.
Awarding of the degree is based on a member's Supervised Agricultural Experience Program in agribusiness or production agriculture, and leadership ability as demonstrated through involvement in FFA, school and community activities. The State Degree award charms are sponsored by MFA Inc., Columbia.
Agricultural Education Supervisor Jim Bellis noted that the number of State Degree Recipients is up and the highest ever. "FFA membership and the number of State FFA Degree recipients have reached an all time record high. The State FFA Degree is the highest recognition a state can award, representing 3 percent of the total Missouri FFA membership per year," said Bellis.
"Schools, communities and youth continually recognize the outstanding leadership opportunities through FFA and want to be a part," added Bellis.
Members Excel Musically at State FFA Convention
Four Worth County FFA Chapter members were selected to sing in the State FFA Choir. The choir performed at the two sessions held on Friday, April 18 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. Connor Dignan, Logan Dignan, Allison Hunt and Austin Thummel were chosen out of members across the state on an individual basis to make up the State FFA Choir.
Choir members sang various songs including "God Bless America", "Find the Cost of Freedom" and several others. Connor Dignan auditioned and was selected to sing a solo during the choir’s performance of "Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land".
In addition to members being chosen to sing in the State Choir, two Worth County FFA members were chosen to be a part of the State FFA Talent. Tyler Garrett and Allison Hunt sent in an audition tape months prior to the convention and were selected to sing a duet in front of thousands on stage during the 3rd Session of convention. Tyler Garrett played the guitar while Allison Hunt provided the vocals to the Sugarland song "Stay".
Worth County FFA Members serve in the Courtesy Corp
David Baker, Brandi Force, Haley Green, Michelle Lynch and Jake Rush served as Courtesy Corp members during the 2008 State FFA Convention. The members helped organize chairs and nametags for the 3rd Session of Convention. The five members also helped to usher recipients back stage in order to receive their awards. Volunteer groups from various chapters throughout the state serve as Courtesy Corp and Ushers annually during State FFA Convention.
Worth County Members Attend 2008
State FFA Convention
Fifteen Worth County FFA Members traveled to Columbia, MO for the 80th Annual Missouri FFA Convention held at the Hearnes Center April 17-18th. More than 7,500 FFA members, who represent the 311 chapters in Missouri, take part in leadership activities, career development events, award programs and convention sessions. Participants also include adults representing industry; the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; school administrators; the press; parents; and guests.
The State FFA Officers plan and conduct the convention sessions, including the business meetings, award programs, entertainment and inspirational activities. The 622 delegates, two from each chapter, transact business. Lucas Harding and Erik Groven represented the Worth County FFA Chapter as voting delegates during the business session.
The MU Agricultural Education faculty coordinates the career development events. Members from the Worth County FFA Livestock team competed at state convention. Members included: Haley Green, Jake Rush and Austin Thummel. Worth County also had an Agricultural Mechanics team compete at the state level. Members of this team include: Erik Groven, Lucas Harding and Aaron Summers. In addition to those teams’ competing, chapter member David Baker also represented Worth County. David placed first at the District level in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, this qualified David for state competition.
Michelle Lynch attended the ‘Change Lives – Teach Agricultural Education’ workshop during State Convention. This workshop was designed for high school juniors and seniors that have an interest in becoming an agriculture teacher. Michelle got to participate in hands-on, high energy activities that demonstrate the rewards and benefits of becoming an agricultural education teacher.
The hard work and achievements of many young people who represent the broad field of agriculture, food, fiber and natural resource industry were recognized. The theme for this year’s convention was "Blue Jackets – Bright Futures." This year’s National FFA Officer Address by President Zack Kinne was extra special. Kinne, from Eagleville, is only the second National FFA president to be from Missouri. He is a North Harrison High School graduate and a junior at the University of Missouri – Columbia. Kinne was elected as National FFA president in October at the national convention in Indianapolis. During his term as president, Kinne will travel over 100,000 miles, visit over 40 states, be part of an international tour of Japan, and meet leaders in education, business and government. Kinne spoke at Friday evening’s session.
The Missouri FFA Association has 24,137 members, the largest ever Missouri membership. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Baker Named Region II FFA Reporter

David Baker, Worth County FFA member, was selected to be the Area II FFA Reporter. David is currently serving as the Worth County FFA Reporter. His term as an Area Officer will be for the 2008-2009 school year. David interviewed in front of chapter members from across the Area and before Ag teachers from Area I. David will work as an integral part of the Area Officer team, assisting in the many Area level activities. David is joined by seven other Area Officers.
Front row, left to right:
Chaplain Tiffany Dejong, Pattonsburg; Secretary Megan Chadwick, Gallatin; Treasurer Kourtney Messmer, Albany; Sentinel Stephanie Carpenter, Braymer
Back row, left to right:
Parliamentarian Alan Vassmer, Polo; Reporter David Baker, Worth County; Vice President Neil Robinson, Maysville; President Tyler Dietzschold, Chillicothe