DIRECTOR’S REMARKS It’s finally March! For almost everyone I’ve talked to the past month, leaving winter and entering spring couldn’t happen fast enough. As the days lengthen and the temperature warms up, the land will come alive around us. If your calendar looks anything like ours at the Missouri FFA Foundation, your days are about to be as busy as the bees that will soon be buzzing around. That doesn’t mean the winter has been quiet here though. From grants to local classrooms and FFA members to recognition of outstanding teachers to opportunities for networking and skill development, this quarter’s edition of the impact report, will share ways your financial support of the foundation has been a wise investment.
Heather Dimitt-Fletcher Missouri FFA Foundation Executive Director
LEARNING BY DOING GRANTS We ended 2024 by awarding 16 Learning by Doing Grants to agricultural education programs across the state. Of these grants designed to help Missouri agriculture education teachers enhance learning opportunities for students, 13 focused on workforce development and 3 were for technology enhancements. Microscopes and AI simulators for Veterinary Science classes, soil testers for precision agriculture lessons, and greenhouse cool cells and germination equipment for plant science classes were a few of the types of projects funded.
GREENHAND MOTIVATIONAL
CONFERENCES
In January, Missouri FFA State Officers traveled across the state conducting Greenhand Motivational Conferences! New members zipped up their blue corduroy jackets for one of their first statewide FFA events. More than 2,000 attendees discovered opportunities available for them in FFA, were encourage to be positive role models, gained skills to be active team members and to make a positive difference in their lives, schools and communities. Check out a video of one member’s experience on our socials!
December
January