Mid March Update
Here is a planning guide for State Convention with all of the rules for each of the contests.
Click Here to download Version 2.1 with Sales and Service CDE rules added.
Practice tests are available on MagNet under the CDE Folder. Click Here
For the most up to date information about State FFA Convention, you can go to the montanaffa.org. You can find where to register for the virtual convention components, as well as view volunteer opportunities to judge and sign up for the "Countdown to Convention" activities.
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If you have any students who are interested in teaching agriculture and are planning to attending college this fall please let me know. The STAR team is planning on having a virtual signing day during state FFA this spring and would like to recognize those students personally.
Deadline to sign up your students is March 25.
Please send any students names to eric.tilleman@mt.gov.
Teach Ag Campaign Resources
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WHO:
Calling all outstanding and innovative High School Agriscience Teachers interested in learning how to ‘STEM Up' your plant science course with concepts and careers related to horticulture and floriculture.
What?
STEM it Up 3.0 is an in-depth, hands-on professional development program designed to
emphasize the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) concepts in the
horticulture and floriculture curricula. Using an inquiry-based approach, this opportunity
includes laboratory investigations, curriculum development, and cooperative learning
activities focused on STEM concepts in school-based agricultural education plant science
courses. Participants engage with the lesson content that is modeled by the instructors.
When:
June 16 - 18, 2021 with 6 monthly follow up sessions July – December
How:
Given the continued challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will meet virtually
using Zoom as our conference instructional meeting space.
Investment:
Agriscience Teachers who are selected to participate, will be required to attend all three
days in June and six follow up sessions in the fall of 2021 as they prepare to implement a
plant science unit of instruction to teach in their course during the fall of 2021. There is no
cost to participate, and several resources and materials will be provided at the completion
of the program.
Application: CLICK HERE
Check out this VIDEO!
Deadline for applications is March 31, 2021
Contact:
Dr. Catherine DiBenedetto
Clemson University
Agricultural Sciences Department
(864) 656-0296
cdibene@clemson.edu
FFA Grants for Growing
With today’s economic challenges that many of our educators and schools are facing, FFA would like to encourage you to share with your chapters the Grants for Growing (G4G) funding opportunity. The grant provides middle/high school FFA chapters up to $5,000 to support the development or improvement of project-based or experiential learning opportunities for students. The application closes on May 15. For more information and to access the application visit the National FFA website.
Living to Serve Day of Service Mini-Grant
Does your state have Middle School, High School or Alumni & Supporters FFA chapters that are nurturing servant-leaders? If so, chapters can apply for up to $400 to support a day of service event anytime of the year! The application is open year-round, and applications are reviewed and awarded by the 15th of each month. For more information and to access the application visit the National FFA website.
SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Are you handy with tools, task-oriented and enthusiastic about working with youth? The Assistant Director serves as the primary caretaker of the Arrowpeak Lodge facility and director of camp life during summer camps.
Applicants for the positions will:
- Have great leadership skills.
- Be well organized and efficient.
- Be problem solvers.
- Have great communication.
- Work well as part of a team.
The Assistant Director works closely with the Education Coordinator, Summer Camp Advisor and Caretaker.
Job Type: FULL TIME SEASONAL
Compensation: $255/day, Lodging, food, & gas provided (Not included in wage & lodging only during duration of camp)
Start Date: APRIL 1, 2021 (Weather dependent)
Apply Now
Please contact Violet with questions or for more information: Office: 406-452-6406, cell: 406-564-6025, email: vgreen@montanafarmersunion.com.
SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR
Our Camp Counselors ROCK. Take advantage of a great opportunity to spend most of your summer in the Highwood Mountains, and create lifelong friendships serving as a role model for other youth. Camp Counselors live and breathe camp life, spending lots of time with kids and having a lot of fun along the way.
Good candidates for a Camp Counselor will:
- Be former campers themselves! You don’t have to have experience at Montana Farmers Union Camps, but need to have some knowledge of what a summer camp experience is all about.
- Love to try new things: Color runs, rock climbing, dancing, crafting, you name it!
- Be a good leader. Your campers will be looking up to you.
- Have solid communication skills. Camp Counselors work closely with the Camp Advisor and Assistant Director
Have questions? Contact Violet at vgreen@montanafarmersunion.com.
CAMP CARETAKER
We are looking for a jack-of-all-trades! The Camp Caretaker helps maintain a clean and safe environment for all who enjoy Arrowpeak Camp. The Caretaker is an integral part of operations running smoothly and serves as an ambassador of Montana Farmers Union while on duty.
Applicants for this position will have the skills and abilities necessary to maintain and oversee:
- General camp operations.
- Water/sewer systems.
- The state of buildings and furnishings.
- Inventory of supplies.
- Repairs, equipment.
- Events as needed.
- Outdoor features & landscaping.
- Other areas.
The Camp Caretaker works closely with the Education Coordinator, Camp Assistant Director and Camp Advisor.
Job Type: FULL TIME SEASONAL
Compensation: $225/day, Lodging, some food & gas provided (Not included in wage)
Start Date: APRIL 1, 2021 (Weather dependent)
Apply Now
Please call Violet with questions or for more information: Office: 406-452-6406, cell: 406-564-6025, email: vgreen@montanafarmersunion.com.
While the format may be different, Montana Farm Bureau Foundation is excited to announce that our annual Youth Speech Contest will return for 2021. The contest will be held virtually during the 2021 FFA State Hybrid Convention on April 8, 2021, from 9:00 am-12:00 noon. One of our Foundation's most important goals is to aid in the agricultural education and the leadership development of Montana's youth.
This speech contest fits that goal very well and we are offering great prizes to make this an exciting opportunity. We know that FFA has similar contests for high school students and we want to complement, rather than compete, with those contests.
Our Youth Speech Contest will be open to students in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade, who are not able to participate in the State FFA Prepared Speech Contest. Contestants must submit a transcript of their speech by April 1, 2021. Those will be judged prior to the Hybrid Convention and the top 20 contestants will be invited to compete by presenting their speech virtually on April 8.
Speech topic: School closures, restrictions and the cancellation of many extracurricular events due to the COVID‐19 pandemic have been particularly hard on United States students. What have been some of the biggest impacts of the pandemic on your peers, your school or your local community; how can you work to make a positive impact on those around you?
The speech contest is open to students currently in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade. Your prepared speech needs to be between 2.5 to 4 minutes in length. FFA members, 4‐H members and any other students in Montana are eligible to enter the contest.
Prizes: 1st place = $400, 2nd = $300, 3rd = $200, 4th = $100 and 5th = $50.
Registration and a copy of your speech must be received by the Montana Farm Bureau Federation office
by April 1, 2021.
For questions, more information, or for a registration form, contact Scott Kulbeck at scottk@mfbf.org or 406‐587‐3153.
For questions, please contact:
Eric Tilleman, Agricultural Education Specialist - 406.444.4451
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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