September 2026
Edition #8
QUARTERLY IMPACT REPORT
DIRECTOR’S REMARKS
The summer was cooking for the Missouri FFA Foundation, and it wasn’t solely due to the temperature outside. The flurry started with Missouri FFA Leadership offerings such as Public Speaking Academy, HYMAX and HYPE-the agriculture advocacy institutes, area officer training, and FFA Camp. Then Missouri hosted the National Association of Agricultural Educators Region IV Conference. In late July, our state ag teachers’ association held their conference. Next was a week-long state officer training and the Missouri State Fair. The state fair offered a great opportunity for us to talk with all of you from throughout the state in one location while also being the location of two of my favorite activities, the Missouri FFA Alumni & Supporters Reunion and State Day of Service. Attendance was up at all events, suggesting that agricultural education is more important than ever! It’s you, our donors and sponsors who provide the support to make these activities happen. This report is a quick glimpse of everything you made possible. Thank YOU!! Heather Dimitt-Fletcher Missouri FFA Foundation Executive Director
LEARNING BY DOING SUMMER LEADERSHIP June offered Missouri FFA members numerous opportunities to grow as leaders, strengthen skills and build connections for future success. FFA Camp: Educational and recreational activities while building connections with fellow FFA members and agriculture industry representatives. Area Officer Institute (AOI):Area officers from across the state participated in two days of training focused on teamwork, time management, and presentation skills. Public Speaking Academy (PSA): Members strengthened their public speaking skills through lessons in organization, effective language, and audience analysis. HYMAX Academy: A hundred rising sophomores participated in handson activities designed to strengthen communication and advocacy skills while exploring issues facing agriculture and developing their SAE projects. HYPE: Exclusively supported by Missouri Corn, HYPE invites thirty of Missouri FFA’s top incoming seniors to intend a weekend institute focused on building advocacy skills and discussing agricultural issues with Missouri legislators.
June
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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF AG
HORIZON & RISING SUN GRANTS
Fourteen high school agriculture education programs across the state received $294,297 f rom the Missouri FFA Foundation as a part of our Horizon/Rising Sun Grants program. Greenhouses, ag mech and fabrication shops, food science labs, and skid steer certif ication lessons were a handful of projects supported by these grants. Combined with matches f rom local communnities, these projects represent $638,635 invested in agriculture education in Missouri.
SUPPORTING TEACHERS
NAAE REGION IV CONFERENCE
The Missouri FFA Foundation helped sponsor the 2026 NAAE Region IV Conference in Branson, Missouri, bringing together agricultural educators and professionals f rom a multi-state region. The conference provided opportunities for networking, professional development, and learning experiences such as tours of the College of the Ozarks Farm and the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. Through supporting events like this, the Missouri FFA Foundation helps strengthen teachers’ knowledge agricultural, fosters relationships across agriculture education and strengthens connections between teachers and agriindustry professionals.
HERE BY THE OWL
MVATA TEACHER CONFERENCE
MVATA: The Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers’ Association held its annual state conference at the end of July. During the conference, teachers attended workshops to increase their agri-industry knowledge and instructional strategy repertoire. With funding from the Foundation, trainers from the National Association of Agricultural Educators also facilitated intensive seminars in agriscience, early-career skill development, teacher resiliency, and instructional mentoring. An awards ceremony was also held to honor outstanding programs and instructors. The Foundation is grateful to the sponsors and donors who make this professional development opportunity possible.
July
INVESTING IN FUTURE LEADERS STATE OFFICER ADVOCACY TRAINING
August
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In their summer training, the Missouri FFA State Officers focused on developing a stronger understanding of how they can advocate for agricultural education and the agriculture industry as whole. Through hands-on activities, teamwork, and practice, officers gained the tools and confidence needed to represent Missouri FFA.
LIVING TO SERVE
ALUMNI SUPPORTS REUNION STATE DAY OF SERVICE
State Day of Service: The Foundation is proud to support the Missouri FFA Association’s State Day of Service, a meal-packing event held at the Missouri State Fair in conjunction with Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids. This year, with the help of 95 chapters, 752 FFA members, and 75 volunteers, over 250,000 meals were packed in recognition of the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary!
NETWORKING
ALUMNI & SUPPORTERS REUNION
The third annual Alumni & Supporters Reunion hosted by the Missouri FFA Foundation was a huge success! The reunion was held during the Missouri State Fair at the Taylor Woods Youth Building. More than 90 people from across the state joined together to catch up with friends and colleagues, share a delicious meal, and bid on buzz worthy silent auction items.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US! @Missouri FFA Foundation @missouriffafoundation Make a Donation: https://donorbox.org/moffafoundation Scan to Download Missouri Ag Ed Savings Pass: