The Outlook

              Winter 2011
Oklahoma Outlook
Riley grew up in Woodward,
where he showed cattle through
4-H then joined FFA as a fresh-man
in high school. During his
sophomore year, he was elected
Reporter. As a junior, he was
elected vice-president and as a
senior, President. He then ran for
NW District VP and won. Two
years later he applied for national
office and was chosen to be
National President.
A Year to Remember
At that moment, Riley’s one
year term of office began. After
three days of team building, every-one
goes back to his or her home
state to finish the college semester
– in just three weeks. Then it was
back to Indianapolis for training,
which lasted several months, with
breaks for Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
A memorable moment from the
first few months was meeting with
U.S Secretary of Agriculture, Tom
Vilsack, who challenged the officer
team to bring a new perspective to
the next Farm Bill. “So this year,
our platform is to do just that: To
ask youth, state officers and advi-sors
what they think about the
farm bill, and how we could imple-ment
those things from a
non-biased perspective.” The team
will present their findings to
Secretary Vilsack in January.
“After D.C., our team went to
Japan for eleven days. While we
were there, we were advocates for
American agriculture, but we also
got to see a lot of global agriculture.
It was eye opening to see how
United States agriculture affects
global agriculture.”
The Japanese people were very
hospitable. “They welcomed us
with open arms. We were guests
there and they treated us like that.
I’ll always remember that. I
learned how to make an origami
swan. Where else would I learn
how to do that?”
After Japan, the team came
back home to participate in the
state conventions. Riley attended
conventions in eight states, includ-ing
Hawaii, California and
Oklahoma.
When all the state conventions
were done, the national officers
conducted national leadership con-ferences
for state officers. Then
they went back to Washington D.C.
to conduct the State Presidents’
Conference, which is “the longest
national FFA event in history. The
State President and one additional
delegate from each state come to
D.C. to determine the delegate
issues that will be discussed at the
next national convention.” With
the delegate issues determined, the
national officers go to work plan-ning
and preparing the other
aspects of the next convention.
The Value of FFA
Riley says that one of the best
things about FFA is it helps people
find their niche. “They become
confident in their skills and they
find a niche that they couldn’t find
before. They couldn’t find it in
school or in another organization
or in a club or in a sport, but they
find it here in FFA.”
“It gives people that chance to
succeed, and it’s teaching students
to advocate, not just for them-selves,
but for agriculture and
agricultural education. If we give
students that seed and we plant
that seed, foster it and water it,
then hopefully someday they can
plant those seeds in other people.”
“There are so many skill sets
that FFA members rely on, and
they build on throughout their FFA
career. That’s what’s great about
this organization that it keeps
building on those skills. It’s not just
for high school, it’s not just for col-lege,
it’s for life.”
You can read this interview in it’s entirety on our website: www.okffa.org
An Interview with Riley Pagett
A
Tanner Miller
Small Animal Production and Care
Entrepreneurship/Placement
Mulhall-Orlando FFA
Brenna Brawner
Equine Science
Entrepreneurship
Edmond FFA
Brenna’s SAE program revolves around eleven
Appaloosa horses that she breeds, conditions, trains,
shows, and sells.
Her proficiency lies in being able to see the potential
in horses, working these prospects into quiet, accom-plished
show horses, successfully breeding them, then
re-investing to do it all again. Attending 12-20 horse
shows a year gives Brenna the avenue to showcase the
improvements she has made to her show stock.
Brenna does much of her advertising on the Internet
because it is relatively inexpensive and its reach is
worldwide. She also works hard to build and maintain
relationships with horse owners and trainers when she
travels to shows.
Brenna’s horses have attained an extremely high
level of fitness because of proper feed and consistent
exercise. She was able to decrease exercise time by 40%
and went from winning one world championship in
2008 to winning three in 2010.
Upon graduation from high school, Brenna plans to
attend Oklahoma State University and earn an under-graduate
degree in animal science with an emphasis in
equine science. She then plans to complete studies in
veterinary medicine with a specialty in equine orthope-dic
surgery.
Tanner raises high quality Pembroke Welsh Corgis
to sell as quality pets and breeding stock. He started
his enterprise with two registered females and a regis-tered
male, knowing that any additional breeding
stock would have to be raised or purchased with
income from his own production.
In order to offer a happy, healthy puppy, Tanner
has a solid health program in place, with records to
document vaccinations. Puppies leave his kennel with
a shot record, a bag of food, and a registration certifi-cate
if applicable.
To date, Tanner has produced and marketed 30
Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies to five different states
using newspaper ads and the Internet to reach his cus-tomers.
A portion of Tanner’s income has been used to
modify his existing kennel facilities. He put insulation
in the ceiling and walls in order to have a more con-trolled
climate for the expectant females. This
precaution has also helped protect puppies from expo-sure
to temperature extremes that can be fatal.
Upon graduation from high school in May 2013,
Tanner plans to enter an undergraduate degree pro-gram
in Agricultural Education at Oklahoma State
University in Stillwater.
2011 National FFA Proficiency Awards
B State proficiency award applications are due February 15
Taylor Runyon
Food Science and Technology
Entrepreneurship/Placement
Atoka FFA
Ashlea Smith
Agricultural Sales
Entrepreneurship
Cushing FFA
Ashlea wanted an SAE that would be different
from any others her chapter was doing so she went to
a local retail garden center and asked the owners if
there was anything she could sell them. They asked
her to grow pansies for them to re-sell.
The owners of the garden center were so impressed
with Ashlea’s first crop of pansies, they awarded her
their entire pansy demand for the following year. She
is now their exclusive source of pansies, selling over
400 flats each year.
Soon after she agreed to grow pansies for the gar-den
center, she started selling sweet corn and other
produce at a roadside stand.
She has been selling corn for four years now. She
sells about 90% of her corn for a healthy profit. The
10% that doesn’t sell she donates to a local homeless
shelter.
Ashlea won first place in Oklahoma’s Agricultural
Sales proficiency in 2011. She has been very successful
in the Proficiency Award program on both the state
and national levels.
Ashlea is a freshman in the College of Agriculture
at Oklahoma State University, majoring in Pre-Med.
She is planning for a future in the pharmaceutical
field.
Taylor’s work with scientists at the Lane Research
Center and SOSU has given her the opportunity to be a
part of many worldwide agricultural food science
research projects and further her interest in this area.
The overall goal for Taylor’s SAE was to gain
knowledge about many different varieties of vegetables
and fruits and also gain experience and knowledge
about field and laboratory techniques.
Taylor’s research has been highlighted in her local
newspaper, at the Atoka County and Tulsa State Fairs
and through agricultural awareness programs she con-ducted
for the local elementary school.
Taylor has competed in the State and National FFA
Agriscience Fair competitions, winning her division on
the state level 3 times and placing 3rd in 2008 at the
national contest. She also received the State
Agriscience Student of the Year Award in 2010 and
was one of eight National Finalists for Agriscience
Student of the Year.
Taylor is currently attending St. Gregory’s
University, after which she will transfer to Oklahoma
State University to finish a major in agricultural engi-neering.
She hopes to continue her research though
college and develop a natural skin care product that
may help prevent skin cancer.
Oklahoma had 15 finalists at this year’s national convention.
Here are four that you should know.
There are 49 proficiency award areas, including a new area in Goat Production C
I remember my first day of eighth
grade just like it was yesterday. I was not worried
about any class on my schedule except for third hour.
I waited for the bell to ring, and then off I went. I was
making my way to the Ag Building. I knew without a
doubt this would be my favorite class. However, as I
got closer I began to get extremely nervous.
You see, my dad was going to be my teacher, and I
was so afraid that he would embarrass me in front of
my friends.
That day we learned how to give a good firm
handshake and look the other person in the eye. We
faced our fears, stood in front of the class and talked
about ourselves.
From that point forward, I was hooked. I couldn’t
wait to get involved and get my very own official blue
and gold jacket!
FFA members, like many of you, I developed a
love for this organization at a very early age. And like
me, each of you has the opportunity to get involved
and to allow this organization to change your life for
the better – just as it did mine.
Your background, location, school size or financial
means does not matter. FFA has something to offer
each one of us!
Just like catching a firefly in a glass jar at night,
you need to take advantage of these opportunities
while they are in front of you.
Believe me when I say time truly does fly. So don’t
wish these moments away.
Spend extra time making sure you memorize your
speech word for word. Work your animals just a little
bit harder. Give an extra set of livestock judging rea-sons
to your Ag-Ed instructor. It’s the little things in
life that will make the biggest difference.
Strive to be the best you can be in this organization
and set your goals high! Always remember that noth-ing
is impossible with God on your side!
Your 2011-2012
Courtney Maye, State President
Courtney’s favorite place to D eat in Stillwater is Buffalo Wild Wings
In sixth grade, I was a banner carrier
for the high school marching band, and the band got
the opportunity to visit the Royal Gorge in Colorado.
It is the perfect spot for a thrill-ride called the Sky
Coaster. It swings you out over the gorge at a height
of 1,150 feet.
A few of the high school students ran to get on the
Sky Coaster. But I was petrified of heights. So I
devised a sure-proof game plan. I said I would do it if
my mom would do it with me. I knew there was no
way she would do it!
Unbelievably, she called my bluff and said we
should go! I was scared out of my wits when they har-nessed
me up and strapped me in. I was so scared
that I literally cried as they pulled us back. Ready to
launch, they yelled “3-2-1-FLY!”
FFA members, it required facing my fears to wit-ness
one of the most beautiful sights ever!
I set a goal my first year in the FFA to serve as a
state officer.
I knew there would be important steps and lots of
hard work along the way to accomplish this goal.
When December of my senior year rolled around, I
began filling out the application. I “experienced” the
Nominating Committee in February and prepared for
the state FFA convention during the first week of May.
Thoughts of “I can’t do this” and “I’m not qualified”
constantly entered my mind.
At the convention, I gave my three-minute cam-paign
speech and waited. I had made the first cut! I
then gave my one-minute runoff speech, but I had to
wait until the closing session of convention to hear the
results.
I worked my way through the 3-2-1 process. Emily
Beanland opened the envelope and yelled my name. I
flew from the stands. I flew up on the stage. I have
been flying high ever since that moment.
FFA members, I want you to know that you, too,
can fly if you set your goals high and work to achieve
them. So I encourage each of you to start with “3” by
setting your goals. Work hard to accomplish your goals
with “2.” And when you reach “1,” I know you will fly.
State Officers!
Joshua Conaway, Northwest District Vice President
Joshua is a mama’s boy and proud of it! E
The them e of this year’s conference was “Represent,”
specifically referring to how FFA members can better represent themselves,
their community and the Oklahoma FFA association.
The keynote address was delivered by FFA mentor and former state
president, Kelly Barnes, who told us, “My keynote focused on the “little
things” that make the big difference, for instance, how members act when
they are wearing their official dress and also when they are living a regular
everyday life of a student.
“How involved are they in the community and in the organization
through competitive events, leadership activities and their SAE?”
The title of Kelly’s speech was “Make it a Habit”. It centered on the idea
that “success is the result of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” He
challenged members to think about the seemingly small things they did on a
daily basis and asked the question, “If these habits are repeated on a daily
basis, what will be the result in 10, 20, 30 years?”
When Kelly’s speech concluded, the attendees were divided into four
groups for breakouts, led by the state officers, who challenged the students
“to represent themselves, their community and FFA by being positive role
models to other students through their actions.”
“We encouraged FFA members to become ambassadors for the FFA in
their communities by getting involved in community outreach and seeking
out members of the community to get involved in FFA activities.”
“Finally we looked at the FFA as a whole, looking for some new ways
members can get involved as individuals, and what can they do to get their
chapter members involved.”
Over 2000 chapter officers attended this year’s COLT Conferences.
Chapter Officer Leadership Training
The 2012 COLT Conference F will feature a keynote address by
What did you learn today?
• How to represent my chapter and FFA to the best of my abilities
• That the way we present ourselves to others reflects on the FFA
• How we represent ourselves makes a big difference in our community
What will you do differently after this training?
• Work hard to be excellent
• Have a lot of integrity
• Be a better role model and be more helpful to the younger members
• Do more with my community
• Get the officer team to work together to make a better chapter
Highlights from Kelly’s keynote:
Success in the FFA is not measured by the amount of awards you win
but by the person you become in the process.
No one ever looked back on graduation night and said to themselves,
I wish I had done less, not tried as hard or been less of a role model.
Those of us with the ability to achieve success and prosper also have
the duty to reach down and pull others up in the process.
Represent . . .
Your Image, Our Image, The Image
state senator and former state FFA president, Josh Brecheen. G
Influence
“For influence, you need to be involved and active.
You need to have weekly duties where you are helping
to grow the chapter and helping other members get
involved. Ask yourself, “What have I done as an offi-cer?
What has been my activity? Who have I met with,
what meetings have I gone to, what meetings have I
coordinated?”
Spirit
“For spirit, you need to make sure the FFA class-room
looks good. You need to make sure the FFA is
doing community visual things like adopting a high-way
or making a welcome sign outside of town. You
need to be enthusiastic about the FFA.
“It’s both personal as well as public. Am I someone
who others enjoy being around? Am I a person with a
smile on my face and love in my heart? Am I sharing
those good feelings with others? Am I communicating
with others the good things that my chapter is doing?”
Class
“For class, you need to make sure that you are
stand-up person, that you are a positive leader in the
jacket and out of the jacket.” Class is about remember-ing
that whenever you wear your FFA jacket, you are
representing FFA to the world. It’s about “being hon-est,
staying away from drugs and alcohol ... having a
strong work ethic, looking good in your FFA jacket.“
Being sure that “the language you use with others is
clean, powerful and positive.”
Legacy
If you do all these things and do them right, you
will create “a legacy of excellence in your chapter.
Chapter officers can actively create that by not being
so concerned about everything good happening their
year.” Sometimes you just plant the seed, but the fruits
of your labor may not be obvious for several years.
That’s your legacy.
Rhett Laubach is a leadership mentor and consultant. He
went to high school in Laverne, Oklahoma, where he served as
FFA Chapter Reporter twice, Chapter President, NW District
VP, then State President. These days, he teaches leadership
across the country and continues to work with FFA on the
state and national level.
Are leaders born or made?
“Leaders are born and then unmade. A lot of the
major things that you need to have to be influential
with people are things you were born with. Look at
children. Children are happy, they’re creative, imagi-native,
friendly and trustworthy.
“But as we grow up we lose our creativity, we lose
our imagination, our ability to take risks, to talk to a
stranger, sometimes even to just enjoy the day. Those
are fundamental things that get switched off, because
life switches them off. And that diminishes our ability
to be influential with people.”
How do we regain those fundamentals?
You need to work on your influence – make it posi-tive.
You need to work on your spirit, make it energetic,
joyful, engaging, and friendly. You need to work on
your class – your etiquette, integrity, classiness, being
a classy person. These three will feed in to the fourth
one, which is legacy – having a legacy of influence.”
Rhett’s latest book,
“Leaders In Gear” includes
230 specific tips for better
leadership. It is available at
www.yournextspeaker.com.
Leadership Fundamentals
An Interview with Rhett Laubach
You can read this interview H in it’s entirety on our website: www.okffa.org