DIRECTOR’S REMARKS
Growing up, showing livestock at the Missouri State Fair was the capstone event of our summer. It represented a year of careful breeding, raising, grooming, and training of the animals. It also meant countless days driving to fairs and hours hanging out with peers who were like family. Similarly, the Missouri State Fair is a yearly capstone event for Missouri Ag Ed. As our final events for the program year are wrapping up at the fair, I’ve stepped away to write this note. This seems a perfect time to share how your donations to the Missouri FFA Foundation has allowed for a spring and summer full of opportunities for learning, leading, serving, and connecting for the more than 36,000 people representing the Missouri Ag Ed family. Whether it was Area Officer Institute, Public Speaking Academy, FFA Camp, MVATA Summer Conference, State Day of Service or the Alumni & Supporters Reunion, there was something for almost everyone this summer! Heather Dimitt-Fletcher Missouri FFA Foundation Executive Director
SUMMER LEADERSHIP SERIES This summer was a perfect time for more than a thousand Missouri FFA members to strengthen their leadership skills. The Foundation thanks our industry partners who made FFA Camp, HYMAX Academy, HYPE, Public Speaking Academy and and Area Officer Institute possible! With weekly sessions from June through July, members attending FFA Camp enjoy recreational and educational activities while networking with other members and meeting agri-industry representatives. At the beginning of June, more than 100 members from across the state came together for the Area Officer Institute, a threeday training focused on learning team-building strategies, time management techniques, and presentation skills. Aimed at equipping FFA members in grades 9-12 in becoming strong presenters, the three-day Public Speaking Academy guides participants in organizing their thoughts, using language effectively, and analyzing audiences. For 100 FFA members who are rising sophomores, HYMAX Academy is key to becoming a better advocate for agriculture. At HYMAX, members complete hands-on challenges designed to improve their communication skills while digging into the issues facing agriculture today. Exclusively supported by Missouri Corn, HYPE continues the advocacy skill building started in HYMAX while introducing members to key agriculture and political leaders in the state. Follow us on social media where student stories from these programs are featured on Wednesdays.
June