GRISWOLD, Iowa — Kevin Blair has taught vocational agriculture in Iowa high schools for more than 30 years.

“We don’t teach farming anymore,” Blair says. “We teach ag education.”

MARSHALL, Mo. — Marshall FFA members remember the moment when the organization’s award for top chapter in the nation, the Model of Excellence Award, was announced at the 91st National FFA Convention last fall in Indianapolis.

Jacob Hall, a senior who served on the National Model of Excellence presentation team for the chapter, knew Marshall had won top chapter the year before, so he didn’t expect them to win again. But then the moment came — recognition for all the long days and planning and brainstorming.

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Few high school students know every inch of cows, sheep, goats and hogs as thoroughly as five Taylorville High School students. Their intensive study paid off with a national judging title in January and plans to compete in Scotland in July.

Hours of study with three determined agriculture and FFA teachers helped the Taylorville FFA Livestock Judging team win the competition at the National Western Roundup in Denver in January.

Back around 1990 or so, I started volunteering for an FFA Career Development Event (CDE), the Marketing Plan Competition. Teams of students develop and present marketing plans for various ag-related businesses in their local communities.

The Marketing Plan CDE helps develop teamwork, highlights the importance of communication and presentations skills, and opens a completely new world of business opportunities that young people might choose from.

Editor’s note: John Schubbe of Peotone, Illinois, Tyler Tessman of Audubon, Iowa, Taylor Case of Russellville, Missouri, Cori Lee of Marysville, Ohio, and Marie Hamlin of Roberts, Wisconsin, have been named state winners of the 2019 Growmark essay contest for FFA members.

The theme of this year’s contest was “What does the future of agriculture look like to you, and what skills will you need to play a part in it?”

Editor’s note: Taylor Case of Russellville, Missouri, John Schubbe of Peotone, Illinois, Tyler Tessman of Audubon, Iowa, Cori Lee of Marysville, Ohio, and Marie Hamlin of Roberts, Wisconsin, have been named state winners of the 2019 Growmark essay contest for FFA members.

The theme of this year’s contest was “What does the future of agriculture look like to you, and what skills will you need to play a part in it?”

Editor’s note: John Schubbe of Peotone, Illinois, Tyler Tessman of Audubon, Iowa, Taylor Case of Russellville, Missouri, Cori Lee of Marysville, Ohio, and Marie Hamlin of Roberts, Wisconsin, have been named state winners of the 2019 Growmark essay contest for FFA members.

The theme of this year’s contest was “What does the future of agriculture look like to you, and what skills will you need to play a part in it?”