True Blue Nebraska News Leadership. Tradition. True Blue
JUNE 2014
Preserving Traditions for Our Future As a member of the Nebraska FFA Foundation Board of Directors, there is nothing more refreshing to me than attending Nebraska’s State FFA Convention. It’s been 26 years since I stood at the podium as a Nebraska State FFA Officer. A lot has changed since then, but the traditions of the blue and gold stay the same.
recently released its final 2012 AgCensus results, which revealed that the average age of a principal farm operator is 58 years old. It’s important for us to understand that when the population reaches nine billion in 2050, today’s students will be feeding us.
We need to continue to foster the next generation of agriculture to meet the demands of this ever-expanding industry. There’s never been a more important time to support those students. That’s why I’ve made a commitment to Nebraska FFA and I ask you to do The ag industry as a whole has changed drastically. We’ve the same. Your gift of any size makes a difference in seen advances in technology, population growth and agricultural education. the need for increased food, great demand for qualified workers and increased regulations in production. At the 86th Nebraska FFA State Convention, I was rejuvenated in our FFA youth. These are clearly the future It’s evident that Nebraska’s FFA programs are adapting leaders in agriculture and I can’t help but think they’re on to these changes. But whenever I attend convention, I’m track to be successful. reminded that while agriculture is an evolving industry, the values and traditions of agricultural education are still Fill out and return the enclosed donation envelope or go relevant today. to www.neffafoundation.org/support_us to ignite future leaders in the ag industry today. I’m proud to see an even greater excitement for agriculture in our students. They still proudly wear the Thank you for your continued support of Nebraska FFA. blue corduroy jackets, stand proud in recognition for their accomplishments and hard work throughout the year Sincerely, and continue to grow as leaders through workshops and competitions. I am proud to say that FFA instilled in me leadership qualities and agricultural knowledge that benefits me daily. You and I need to make sure that we are taking care of this next generation of agriculturalists. The USDA
Judson Jesske President Nebraska FFA Foundation
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I Believe in the Future of Ag
Fundraising Campaign Raises Almost $430,000 I Believe in the Future of Ag is a fundraising campaign focused on building financial capacity for the future of FFA at both the local and state levels in Nebraska. In the 2013-2014 campaign, the Nebraska FFA Foundation continued its unique partnership with Husker Sports Marketing and formed a new partnership with Nebraska Radio Network to execute this statewide educational and fundraising campaign. In conjunction with the statewide campaign, local FFA Chapters and statewide sponsors, through their retail outlets, asked agricultural producers, customers, employees, FFA members and community leaders to contribute to the campaign at the local chapter level. Supporters could designate which chapter would receive their donation. For the 2013-2014 campaign, almost $200,000 was raised at the local level. The total campaign, both state and local components, raised over $430,000 to support FFA chapter programming and long-term capacity of FFA at the state level.
Stuart FFA members received recognition at State FFA Convention for raising the most money per FFA member. They will use their funds to purchase equipment to expand curriculum used in the classroom. They will also be building a greenhouse and animal lab The Nebraska FFA Foundation would like to thank the following statewide corporate to enhance supervised agricultural experience (SAE) opportunities. sponsors. Without their support and vision, this campaign would not be possible!
Aurora Cooperative Bayer CropScience CHS CoBank Country Partners Cooperative
Central Valley Ag DEKALB Farm Credit Services of America Frontier Cooperative Grainbridge
Lindsay Corporation Pinnacle Bank Producers Livestock Mycogen Seeds Nebraska Farm Bureau
The Scoular Company United Farmers Cooperative Valmont Winfield Solutions
The Nebraska FFA Foundation would also like to thank the following FFA Chapters for their support of the local component of the I Believe campaign. Local chapters received at least 112% return from their donations. Amherst Ashland-Greenwood Aurora Bloomfield Blue Hill Burwell Cedar Rapids Central City Chase County Creighton Crete Crofton David City Diller-Odell Elgin Fairbury Fillmore Central
Franklin Freeman Fullerton Gothenburg Hampton Hartington Heartland High Plains Schools Humphrey Lakeview Laurel-Concord Leigh Lexington Lindsay Holy Family Logan View Lyons-Decatur Northeast McCook
McCool Junction Minatare North Bend O’Neill Oakland-Craig Ord Pender Pierce Plainview Ravenna Rock County Sandhills Sandy Creek Schuyler Central Scribner-Snyder Southern Valley Southwest
Spalding St. Edward St. Paul Stuart Sutton Tekamah-Herman Tri-County Twin River Verdigre Wauneta-Palisade West Boyd West Central West Point Wheeler Central Wilber-Clatonia Wisner-Pilger
Get ready for the I Believe campaign for 2014-2015, as the Nebraska FFA Foundation will begin accepting donations for the 2014-15 campaign in September.
Save the Date 2
June 23, 11:00 a.m. August 30, 5:00 p.m. September 10, 11:00 a.m. April 8-10, 2015
20th Annual Nebraska FFA & 4-H Golf Classic | Indian Creek Golf Course, Omaha, NE Nebraska FFA Foundation Ice Cream Social | Nebraska State Fair Hospitality Suite, Grand Island, NE Nebraska FFA Tire Auction | Husker Harvest Days, Grand Island, NE 87th Nebraska FFA State Convention | Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE
Nebraska State FFA Convention Award Winners and Sponsors Included below are the student and chapter award winners from this year’s Nebraska FFA Convention. Congratulations to all! We also want to recognize and say thank you to all the sponsors who helped make convention and these awards possible.
2014 State Stars
Sponsored by Syngenta Star in Agribusiness Kayla Bouska, Stuart FFA Star in Placement Ben Rice, Norris FFA Star in Agriscience Brooke Pieke, Newman Grove FFA Star in Production Alyssa Hambleton, Fullerton FFA
2014 Leadership Skills Events Winners and Sponsors Creed Speaking Sponsored by CoBank Alexis Corman, Bridgeport FFA Junior Public Speaking Sponsored by CoBank Kane Wellnitz, Chadron FFA Cooperative Speaking Sponsored by Nebraska Cooperative Council Miles Stagemeyer, O’Neill FFA Natural Resources Speaking Sponsored by Farmers Ranchers Cooperative Madeline Epp, Aurora FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank Carson Messersmith, Gothenburg FFA Job Interview Sponsored by Central Valley Ag McKenzie Crowe, McCook FFA Senior Public Speaking Sponsored by Channel MacKenzie Lemmons, Randolph FFA Junior Parliamentary Procedure Sponsored by Nebraska FFA Alumni Pender FFA Senior Parliamentary Procedure Sponsored by Jack Nemec Chase County FFA Ag Demonstration Sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Ag Elba FFA Discovery Speaking Sponsored by the UNL FFA Alumni Halie Andreasen, St. Edward FFA
2014 State FFA Proficiency Winners and Sponsors Agricultural CommunicationsEntrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Farmer Katie Nolles, Rock County FFA
Agricultural Education – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by UNL Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Alexandra Cunningham, Bloomfield FFA Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Frank J. Fleecs Victor Osantowski, Franklin Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement Sponsored by Plains Equipment Group Trent Johnson, Bloomfield FFA Agricultural Processing – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by University of Nebraska, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Brittany Hanzlik, Stuart FFA Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by DEKALB & Asgrow Spencer Noble, Boone Central FFA
Cassidy Chapman, North Bend FFA Dairy Production – Placement Sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association Ben Rice, Norris FFA Diversified Agricultural Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Corn Board Chase Nelson, West Boyd FFA Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association Victoria Talcott, Palmyra FFA Diversified Crop Production – Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association Cody Kuester, West Point FFA Diversified Horticulture – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by CF Industries Courtni Kunz, Stuart FFA
Agricultural Sales – Placement Sponsored by DEKALB &Asgrow Kaitlyn Hanvey, Verdigre FFA
Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Corn Board Alyssa Hambleton, Fullterton FFA
Agricultural Services – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Maxwell Agri Service, LLC Nicholas Cole, McCook FFA
Electrical Technology – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Tri-State Transmission Trent Faltys, Schuyler FFA
Agriscience Research-Animals Systems – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Alicia Pierce, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller FFA
Emerging Agricultural Technology – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by SureFire Ag Derek Krieger, O’Neill FFA
Agriscience Research-Integrated Systems – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Frank J. Fleecs Jordan Paine, Southern Valley FFA Agriscience Research-Plant Systems – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by UNL Center for Plant Science Innovation & UNL Department of Agronomy & Horticulture Brooke Pieke, Newman Grove FFA Automotive Technology – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Nebraska FFA Alumni Austin Throener, West Point FFA Beef Production – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by Nebraska Cattleman Kodi Gehl, Wheeler Central FFA Beef Production – Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Cattleman Trevor Ramm, Stuart FFA Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by Associated Milk Producers, Inc.
Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by CHS Foundation Austin Jeffrey, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller FFA Equine Science – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by First National Bank Bailey Day, Wheeler Central FFA Equine Science – Placement Sponsored by Behlen Manufacturing Company Ashley Anderson, Norris FFA Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association Christina Hamling, St. Edward FFA Food Science and Technology – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Oxbow Animal Health Margo Erickson, Wheeler Central FFA
Forage Production – Entrepreneurship/ Placement
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State FFA Convention Award Winners and Sponsors (Cont.) Sponsored by Bayer CropScience Samantha Sattler, Stuart FFA Forest Management and Products – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Agribusiness Club Morgan McCormick, Verdigre FFA Fruit Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by James Arthur Vineyards and Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association Chelsea Sidel, David City FFA Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska FFA Alumni Council Wyat Overturf, Sutton FFA Grain Production – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by Nebraska Wheat Board Krayton Banzhaf, Cambridge FFA Grain Production – Placement Sponsored by Aurora Cooperative Derek Schulke, Imperial FFA Health and Human Services – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by NPP, LLC Kacie Gribble, Chambers FFA Home and/or Community Development – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Rural Radio Network Heidi Miller, Lyons-Decatur Northeast FFA Home and/or Occupational Safety Programming – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by ADM Whitney Coop, Lakeview FFA Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Norris FFA Boosters Melissa VanDerslice, Lakeview FFA Landscape Management – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Nursery & Landscape Association Kylie Brabec, Schuyler FFA Nursery Operations – Entrepreneurship/
Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Nursery & Landscape Association Kiley Schuerman, Wilber-Clatonia FFA Outdoor Recreation – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Cole Gibbens, West Holt FFA Poultry Production – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Smart Chicken- Tecumseh Poultry Amanda Hartman, Schuyler FFA Sheep Production – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers Association and Northeast Nebraska Sheep Breeders Association Erica Lewis, Wisner-Pilger FFA Small Animal Production and Care – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Wilbur-Clatonia FFA Alumni Jessica Schmidt, Gothenburg FFA Specialty Animal Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Morgan Trammer, Wilbur-Clatonia FFA Specialty Crop Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Sponsored by Ward Laboratories, Inc. Kayla Bouska, Stuart FFA Swine Production – Entrepreneurship Sponsored by Nebraska Pork Producers Association Tyler Haun, West Boyd FFA Swine Production – Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Pork Producers Association Gage Hoegermeyer, Logan View FFA
Placement Sponsored by Frank J. Fleecs Zach Settje, Central FFA Vegetable Production – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Bayer CropScience Kali Bohling, Logan View FFA Veterinary Medicine – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Greer Potadle, Tekamah-Herman FFA Wildlife Management – Entrepreneurship/ Placement Sponsored by Nebraska Pheasants Forever State Council Shelby Cammack, Tri County FFA
2014 Career Development Events Top Individuals & Teams Ag Biotechnology Sponsor: Hoegemeyer Hybrids Top Team: Johnson County Central FFA Top Individual: Victoria Whitmore, David City FFA Ag Communications Sponsor: Nebraska Rural Radio Network Top Team: Sandy Creek FFA Ag Communications - Writer Top Individual: Nathalie Ford, Sutton FFA Ag Communications - Electronic Media Specialist Top Individual: Alison Cloet, Sutton FFA Ag Communications - Designer Top Individual: Stephanie Paulsen, Arapahoe FFA Ag Issues Sponsor: Hoegemeyer Hybrids Top Team: Rock County FFA Ag Sales Sponsor: Farmers Cooperative, Dorchester Top Team: Sandy Creek FFA Top Individual: Erika Harms, Sandy Creek FFA
Turf Grass Management – Entrepreneurship/
State Officers Elected at Convention Nebraska State FFA Officers for 2014-15 were elected at the recent convention. They will represent Nebraska FFA and travel throughout the year meeting with FFA members, chapters and ag industry leaders. (Pictured from left to right)
Blair Hartman, Vice President.......................Imperial FFA Chapter Colton Flower, Secretary..........................Scottsbluff FFA Chapter Andrea Wach, Vice President...............Hayes Center FFA Chapter Paige Dexter, President..............................Chambers FFA Chapter Amanda Lambrecht, Vice President...................Blair FFA Chapter Brandon Nichols, Vice President............Bridgeport FFA Chapter Ben Rice, Secretary..............................................Norris FFA Chapter
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State FFA Convention Award Winners and Sponsors (Cont.) Ag Technology & Mechanics Sponsor: Frank J. Fleecs Top Team: Laurel-Concord FFA Top Individual: Connor Cross, Laurel-Concord FFA
Jr. Livestock Selection Sponsor: The Beel Brothers, LLC, and Midwest Veterinary Services, Inc. Top Team: Gothenburg FFA Top Individual: Chase Samuelson, Palmer FFA
AgriScience Sponsor: Producers Hybrid Top Team: Sumner-Eddyville-Miller FFA Top Individual: Schuyler Defreece, Johnson County Central FFA
Sr. Livestock Selection Sponsor: Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association Top Team: West Point FFA Top Individual: Ryan Schroeder, Wisner-Pilger FFA
Agronomy Sponsor: Ward Laboratories, Inc. Top Team: Pawnee City FFA Top Individual: Collin Thompson, EustisFarnam FFA Farm Business Management Sponsor: T-L Irrigation Company Top Team: Pawnee City FFA Top Individual: Hayden Meyer, Pawnee City FFA Floriculture Sponsor: Frank J. Fleecs Top Team: West Holt FFA Top Individual: Matt Eller, Schuyler Central FFA Food Science Sponsor: Oxbow Animal Health Top Team: Superior FFA Top Individual: Samantha Teten, Johnson County Central FFA
Meats Evaluation & Identification Sponsor: Cargill Meat Solutions Top Team: Eustis-Farnam FFA Top Individual: Caetlen Gyhra, Pawnee City FFA Natural Resources Sponsor: Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Top Team: Crofton FFA Top Individual: Justin Lee, Boone Central FFA Marketing Plan Sponsor: Frank J. Fleecs Top Team: Chase County FFA
Sponsor: Omaha Agri-business Club, Purina, FC Stone, Nebraska FFA Alumni Council, Nebraska Pork Producers & Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Poultry & Egg Division Top Team: Gothenburg FFA Welding Sponsor: Duo Lift Mfg. Co., Inc., and Matheson Top Team: Gordon-Rushville FFA Welding-MIG Top Individual: William Wessels, Alma FFA Welding-ARC Top Individual: Trent Dolezal, North Bend FFA Welding-OXY-A Top Individual: Garrett Shadbolt, GordonRushville FFA Veterinary Science Sponsor: Oxbow Animal Health Top Team: West Point FFA Top Individual: Kristy Hansen, West Point FFA
Nursery & Landscape Management Sponsor: STIHL Outdoor Power Equipment Top Team: West Holt FFA Top Individual: Paige Mitchell, West Holt FFA Livestock Management
Moore Receives Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award The Nebraska FFA Foundation was excited to present the Gary Scharf Helping Hand award to Jeff Moore at the Nebraska FFA Convention in Lincoln this April. Moore, nominated by Tony and Jane Badertscher, was selected to receive this award because of his passion for his family, students and the FFA chapter and his commitment to his students and the Holdrege community. When the Badertschers’ son Braden was diagnosed with cancer, Moore organized a benefit for the family and provided mentoring and coaching to Braden during his cancer treatments. The Badertschers’ said that their son “was an active member of the Holdrege FFA Chapter, but the time and effort Jeff donated to this cause was more than anyone could ask of their advisor.” Braden was not able to travel to Washington Leadership Conference last summer and Moore made a special effort to stop by the hospital where Braden was receiving treatment with the group of students before they went to the airport. When they arrived at the conference and heard that Braden had passed, Moore quickly made travel arrangements for every member on the trip. He was there to support the kids during a difficult time. The Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award recognizes a Nebraska agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for what he or she has done in helping others, specifically in the school and
Jeff Moore, left, received the Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award from Christin Kamm, Nebraska FFA Foundation Board member at State FFA Convention in April.
community, outside of agricultural education and FFA. The annual award is named for Gary Scharf, who was a victim of an Omaha mall shooting in December 2007. Scharf grew up on a family farm outside of Curtis, Neb., and worked in the agricultural chemical industry. He made significant contributions to Nebraska’s agricultural and FFA community through his years of service on the Nebraska FFA Foundation Board, including a year as Board President.
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Sponsor Recognition The Nebraska FFA Foundation would like to thank corporate sponsors who have partnered to support the mission of the Nebraska FFA Foundation. The companies listed below have partnered with Nebraska FFA and the Nebraska FFA Foundation by donating at least $5,000. Thank you for your continued support to programs that develop the agriculture youth of Nebraska.
Premier Sponsors
University of Nebraska–Lincoln, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
6-Star Sponsors
5-Star Sponsors
MEMBER FDIC
FVC
Frenchman Valley Coop fvcoop.com
Your Premier Service Provider
4-Star Sponsors Nebraska Pork Producers Association Nebraska Department of Agricutlure Plains Equipment Group BASF The Chemical Company Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc.
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Nebraska Radio Network Butler Ag Equipment Crop Production Services Del Peterson and Associates Heartland Ag
Helena Chemical Co. John Deere Syngenta The Andersons
Past State Officer Update: A
25 Year Reunion Donelle (Johnson) Wolters is a curriculum writer. She lives in Atwood, Kansas with her husband Matt. Eric Thurber is the founder and CEO of ThreeBridge Wealth Advisors, an investment firm in Silicon Valley. He lives in San Francisco.
Above, the 1988-89 State FFA Officer Team shares a laugh on-stage after performing opening ceremonies with the 2013-14 State Officer Team at the 86th Nebraska FFA Convention. The team was honored this year - 25 years after they stood at the podium as State FFA Officers. We were able to catch up with them during the Celebration of 86 Years of Nebraska FFA. Here’s where they are now:
(Pictured left to right) Nancy (Kelly) Maier is the owner of Pinnacle Writing LLC. She lives in Hartford, Wisconsin with her husband Jay and their two daughters. Gary Todd is a farmer near Union. He lives near Union with his wife Kelly and their two daughters.
Deb (Hostert) Hoge works in communication and fundraising at Pius X High School. She lives in Lincoln with her husband Wayne and their son and daughter. Barb (Buresh) Bonifas is the Alternative Education Coordinator and Guidance Counselor at Aurora High School. She lives in Aurora with her husband, Greg and their two sons and one daughter. Blake Johnson is a farmer at Bunker Hill Farms. He lives in Holdrege with his wife Holly and their three sons.
(Not pictured) Julie (Classen) Ochsner lives in Kersey, Colorado with her husband Kevin and their two daughters and one son. Tracy (Rieckman) Popp lives in Broken Bow.
It’s Easy to Find a Reason to Contribute! If you believe in FFA, it’s easy to find a reason to contribute to Nebraska FFA. There are many ways to support the Nebraska FFA Foundation including: General Fund You can provide support for the Foundation’s year-round efforts to support agricultural education, sustain relationships with current supporters and broaden our base of support among individuals and organizations. Leadership Gifts Your support in the form of a leadership gift helps the Foundation grow FFA in more communities, get students connected to the
ag industry and supports ag teachers and Nebraska FFA Association staff. Blue & Gold Society You can support Nebraska FFA through a planned gift. These gifts are used to meet various needs at the state and local levels. Supporters who want to make an impact with a planned gift will be recognized as members of the Blue & Gold Society. For more information on giving to the Nebraska FFA Foundation, contact Stacey Agnew at 402-472-5846 or stacey@neffafoundation.org.
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2013 – 2014
Board of Directors Seth Derner, Treasurer Vivayic, Inc. AnnaLisa Estrela Ashland-Greenwood Public School Represents the Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association Jill Goedeken Represents the Nebraska FFA Alumni Association Katie Gutzmann Hoegemeyer Hybrids Craig Head Nebraska Farm Bureau Karl Hensley Central Valley Ag Rich Herink First National Bank – Lincoln Mark Holoubek Seitec Genetics & Farmer Dann Husmann University of Nebraska–Lincoln Judson Jesske, President Farm Credit Services of America Blake Johnson Bunker Hill Farms Robin Jirovsky, Secretary Nebraska FFA Association Represents the Nebraska FFA Association Christin Kamm Nebraska Department of Agriculture Rick Keith Producers Livestock Kent Kirchhoff, Vice President Plains Equipment Group Matt Kreifels Nebraska Department of Education & University of Nebraska–Lincoln Represents the Nebraska FFA Association Jack Nemec Retired Ken Smedra Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. Tom Volk DEKALB & Asgrow
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PO Box 94942 Lincoln, NE 68509-4942 neffafoundation.org
In This Issue
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2013-14 I Believe in the Future of Ag Campaign Raises Almost $430,000
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2014 State FFA Convention Results
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Past State Officer Update: 25 Year Reunion