, 1991

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M Blossoming Horticulture Businesses

Desert Storm Calls on FFA f^t--' Advisors

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Now that medical specialists are in demand more than ever, there's never been a better time to consider Army Reserve Specialized Training. The Army Reserve can train you in one of a wide variety of medical specialties from Respiratory Specialist, to Practical Nurse, to Pharmacy Specialist. You'll serve part-time, near home, usually one weekend a month, plus two weeks a year. Starting out can be easier than ever, too, through one of our financial assistance programs. Our new Specialized Training for Army Readiness (STAR) program is a great example. If you qualify, we'll help pay for your tuition, books and fees at a local. Army-approved civilian school of your choice.

Think about it. Then, think about us. See your Army Reserve Recruiter today. Or callI-800-USA-ARMY FFA NewHoriTons OFFICIAL MA6AZINE OF THE NATIONAL FFA OICANIZATION

June-July, 1991 Volume 39 Numbers

12 24 Stars Over Troubled Waters Quality Counts FFA Star Farmers and Agribusinessmen Agricultural electrification winner Matt travel to Europe and see the other side of Shantz and his father believe that quality the international trade issue. service never goes out of style. 14 30 power Plants Two FFA members blossom in the FFA members tell how computers have floriculture business. helped them lighten their workload.

COVER STORY ~^wm V rain ovNHMMi w i^n)vnP^9->c.inMNH Cb«^HIi|H^^^^^^^^FT^^^^^^| 20 Sandy's Plants, Family Business On the cover, Mitzie McDougle of

Mechanicsville, Virginia, is helping the family nursery business grow. Her brother,

Ryan, is the eastern region Agricultural Sales and Service Proficiency winner. Photo by Andrew Markwart.

LEADERSHIP

16 Coming Out Of Your Shell

The "FFA Experience" is about gaining confidence when it's needed most. 22 DEPARTMENTS You Make the Difference Chapter Scoop In his article, "Don't Give Up!" Scott 4 Bottom Line 28 McKain talks about the need to persist 6 Mailbag 33 FFA in Action when you don't feel like it. 8 News in Brief 37 My Turn 26 10 Lool

FFA New Horizons (ISSN 0027-9315), formerly The National FUTURE FARMER, is published bimonthly by the Na- tional FFA Organization, 5632 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22309-0160. Over «8,000 in

Awarded IVIonthly

is a happy time of year for most students. School will Thissoon be out for the year and the new class of graduating seniors are making plans as they prepare to go out into the world. Some will choose college, others will find jobs,

some aren't quite sure what they will do. But there is one thing for sure. To be a success today you are going to need a good education. Traditionally, this has meant going to a 4-year or 2- year college, or a vocational/technical school after you graduate from high school. • FFA has long encouraged its members to do well in school. In recent years, the organization has put meaning into this emphasis on the importance of education with the National FFA Scholarship Program. Letters have just gone out to the 1991 scholarship winners and a look at the program provides some interesting information. • In all. 113 sponsors provided 583 scholarships for FFA

members worth $7 1 5 ,600. These contributions were made through the National FFA Foundation.

• A total of 4,6 1 5 students applied with each being considered for as many as 50 scholarships through the submission of the National FFA Scholarship form. One out of every eight students Draw Me who applied received a scholarship. • Scholarships range in size from $500 to $10,000 and are awarded to students pursuing 4-year, 2-year and vocational/ You may win one of five $1,495.00 technical school degrees. Art Scfiolarslnips or any one of fifty • average grade point of all scholarship winners 3.76 $10.00 cash prizes. The was Make your drawing any size except and 265 of the applicants had a 4.0 grade point average. Some 367 like a tracing. Use pencil. Every qualified ranked first in their graduating class. entrant receives a free professional The National FFA Scholarship program has grown from 16 estimate of hiis or fier drawing. scholarships in 1983 to the 583 scholarships in 1991. Over this Scholarsfiip winners will receive eight-year period, $1.9 million has been awarded in scholarship Fundamentals of Art taught by Art Instruction Schools, one of America's funds through the National FFA Foundation. leading home study art schools. Our While a student's scholastic record is important, it is not objective is to find prospective stu- always the determining factor. Each applicant receives a score for dents who appear to be properly mo- supervised agricultural experiences, leadership activities and tivated and have an appreciation and academic record with each of these criteria receiving equal value liking for art. in the rating process. Financial need is considered on selected Your entry will be judged in the month received. Prizes awarded for scholarships as required by the sponsor. Most of the scholarships best drawings of various subjects are for high school graduating seniors but a few are designated for received from qualified entrants age students already enrolled in post high school programs. 14 and over. One $25 cash award for Perhaps the best news yet is that the scholarship program is the best drawing from entrants age 12 expected to continue to grow and you can be a part of the action. and 13. No drawings can be returned. Our students and professional artists The 1992 scholarship application will be mailed to agriculture not eligible. Contest winners will be instructors/FFA advisors and head high school counselors by

notified. Send your entry today December 1, 1991. The 1992 scholarship applications must be to Center and postmarked or before MAIL THIS COUPON TO ENTER CONTEST mailed the National FFA on ART INSTRUCTION SCHOOLS March 1 . 1 992. If you will be a senior next year, and you plan to this date on your calendar so studio 1Y-3540 continue your education, mark you 500 South Fourtti Street can apply for one of these scholarships. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415 Whether you want to develop skills that will help you get a job Plea ^ 'inter my dra wing in your or whether you want to broaden your knowledge and understand- mom . -ontest. (PLEASE print) ing of the world about you, continuing your education after high Name school makes sense. The FFA Scholarship program may help you pay for part of the cost. Occupation _ , - Age-

Address __ - Apt.- -^/^c^ti^^^ ^.^va/M_t.

County-

Telephone Number„ ffA New Horizons

<& 1991 Arl Instruction Schools I

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COMPANY A LEADER IN OUAUTf APPAREL 1

Magazine Staff flZT

Edilor-in-Chiel, Wilson W- Games Senior Editor. John M PWzer Managing Editor. Andrew Markwart A I L B A Flint M G Publishing Assistant. Linda Director o1 Advertising. Glenn D. Luedke Advertising Assistant. Joyce Berryman Circulation Fulfillment Manager. Dottle M. Hinkle Assistants. Janet Magill, Susan Fernandes, Heattier Simpson; Part-time Assistants. Harnett Fidd, Nora Bartock, Veronica Ruffner Alumni Supporter FFA Nut!

an life I I first I National Officers As FFA Alumni member look When joined FFA had planned

National President. Mark A Timm, RR 1 Box 20AA, forward to receiving my copy of FFA New to only take it one year, but I started liking National Secretary. Danny Grellner, Fillmore, IN 46128; Horizons. December-January's issue was it. It was fun competing in different con- Rt3 Box 41. Kingfisher. OK 73750. National Vice extra special as it brought home the FFA tests and state convention. Presidents. Julie Classen. RR 1 Box 56, Ayr, NE 68925; Lesa Ann King, P.O Box 82. Howe. TX 75059; and America while I was deployed to I like FFA so much that I am taking a Matt Lohr. Rt 3 Box 74-A. Broadway. VA 22815, Ben Turkey in support of Operation Desert full schedule with no study halls except Nessmith. Rt 4 Box 350, Statesboro, GA 30458 Storm. during baiid next year in high school. Board of Directors One of my first leadership opportuni- I guess I have almost turned into an Chairman. Larry Case; Members of the Board. David ties was as president of Armijo-Fairfield, FFA nut! Terry Heiman. Hugh McClimon, Donald Michael. Coffey. California, FFA Chapter. Those leadership Rhonda Woehl Bobby Muller.Tom Munter. Les Thompson. Roscoe Vaughn skills have been more than helpful in this Menno, South Dakota present endeavor. National Staff I was once asked my opinion of the Environmental National Advisor. Chief Executive Officer. Larry Case; Issues changes taking place in the FFA. Origi- Executive Secretary. Coleman Harris; Chief Operating I was elated to learn of the environ- Officer. Bernie Stalter; National Treasurer. Charles Keels; nally. I was skeptical, but now think the mental orientation of the Building Our Administrative Director. W/ilson W Carnes; Manager of changes better prepare the FFA for entry International Programs. Lennie Gamage; FFA Program American Communities chapter award into the 21st Century. I believe world Specialist (Awards). Robert Seefeldt; FFA Program winners detailed in the December-January, Manager (Contests). Carol Duval; FFA Program agriculture, expanding US markets abroad 90-91 issue. The BOAC program was Specialist (Leadership). Tony Hoyt; FFA Program and international agriculture ideas are the Specialist (Membership). Marshall Stewart; originated during my term as president of way of the future — a way that the FFA is Director of Information. William Stagg; Director of FFA the South Dakota Association ( 1 970-7 1 ). Supply Service. Dennis Shafer; Executive Director FFA now headed. I fondly remember having the opportunity Alumni Association. Robert W. Cox; Manager of Good luck and keep up the good work. Accounting. JoAnn Grimes to introduce the program to the Honorable John S. Williamson U.S. Senator George McGovem in his Major, Advertising Offices USAF Washington office. FFA New Horizons Bithitrg AB. Germany Myjob responsibilities in credit policy PO Box 15160 Alexandria. VA 22309 703-360-3600 administration for a major national agri- Praise For VFD cultural lender have made me The Brassett Company 1 recently read "Dream Machine" keenly aware of the detri- 1737 Fairgreen Dhve Fullerton, GA 90036 714-523-2776 (April-May, 1991, page 30). I want to mental impact of envi- commend Delaplaine, Arkansas, for help- ronmental hazards on Midwestern States ing their volunteer fire department. agricultural and Karaban / Labiner Associates, Inc. 333 North Michigan Avenue My father is a volunteer fireman and I agribusiness proper- Chicago, IL 60601 312-236-6345 know he puts a lot of time in on his "job". ties.

I also know how much public support and Only through co- Pennsylvania. Delaware, New Jersey a helping hand means to him. My father operation among Karaban / Labiner Associates, Inc.

1 30 West 42nd Street and many other men and women work concerned agricul- New York, NY 10036 212-840-0660 hard for the farmers and rural community tural producers, suppli- and it's time that we started giving them ers, processors, related in- Peter C Kelly, Inc 725 South Adams Road #260 something back. dustries and organizations Birmingham, Ml 48009 313-642-1228 1 hope every chapter will consider such as FFA, will we be suc- Delaplaine's example and work to rec- cessful in preserving a qual- Robert Flahive Company 22 Battery Street ognize and help their volunteer fire de- ity environment for future San Francisco, CA 941 1 415-398-4444 partments. generations. Karen Spencer Gary Hansen ADDRESS CHANGES: Send both old and new address to; Seymour, Indiana Eagan. Minnesota Circulation Department. FFA NewHorizons. P O. Box 1 5160. Alexandria. Virginia 22309-0160- Careers Have you v/ritten to CORRESPONDENCE: Address all correspondence to; 1 would like to tell the writers of FFA FFA New Horizons. P O. Box 15160. Alexandria. Virginia us lately? We're 22309-0160 Offices located at the National FFA Center, New Horizons that they are doing a great hoping to hear approximately eight miles south of Alexandria. Virginia. job. from you! 1 enjoy reading the magazine each is- '.': SUBSCRIP . S3, 50 per year in U.S. and possessions

(FFA members "5 oaid with dues). Single copy $1 .50; sue and especially enjoy the articles on

- five or more 75c t ; : reign subscnptions, $3 50 plus education and careers after high school in Send letters or notes with name, address and $2.00 extra for poslajp Cooyrigh.i 1991 by the National the field of agriculture. Horizons, FFA Organization. J^^ Trie chapter to MAILBAG. FFA New Audit Brian Sensenich P.O. Bo.\ 15160. Alexandria. VA 22309. All ^ Bureau Lancaster, Pennsylvania letters are subject to editing.

FFA New Horizons Project Pals

FFA members to be teamed with elementary students

Project Pals is the new program that will match FFA members with elemen- tary students in grades 2, 3 and 4 to help them get excited about school, explore their interests in plants and animals, and develop personal skills. This mentoring program was launched through a grant of over $1 million from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The foun- Selector dation picked FFA for this project be- cause of its reputation for community involvement. Michigan and Arkansas have been cho- sen to test the new program. By Septem- ber 1, 10 communities in both states will Handle, Model 429BK be picked as test sites. In each community, Suggested Retail, $21.98 Saw Blade $1398 a team of teachers, counselors, school administrators and othercitizens will man- age the program. The new V52 Selector lets you

By October 1 , PTA members who will create your own knife. Or group of knives. It be "mentoring" or working with the el- starts with the handle; a handle witn no permanent ementary students, will be chosen. By blade. Take your choice of black, olive drab or December, the FFA members will have orange. Then decide what blades you need for gone through a special Made For Excel- lence leadership training seminar. They various uses. There are seven V52 blades now, and will get further training from the teams we expect to add more in the future. Clip, drop point managing the program in their home- and gutting blades come with and without serra- town. tions. The seventh blade is a saw. Each of these Next year, two more states will begin interchangeable blades fits easily into the Project Pals and 20 more sites will be added in Michigan and Arkansas. handle and locks securely in place, and According to Project Pals' director, locks open in use with Buck's time- Josie F. Garza, this kind of program, which tested positive -locking action. See is common in cities, rare in rural but areas, Buck's new V52 Selector at your can be as exciting for the high school favorite store, and then start students as the elementary students. creating knife! "The FFA members may gain the most your because they get a sense of responsibility out of the process. Helping others makes you feel important." BUCK Garza says that the idea of the program Seven V52 Blades Suggested Retail, is to develop high self-esteem and a sense from $10 98 to $13 KNIVES of responsibility for the children, many of fa/nous lor holding an edge' whom will be "at-risk" kids. This may For free "Knife Know-How," write: prevent them from dropping out of school BUCK KNIVES, INC., Dept. NH-691, PO Box 1267, EI Cajon, CA 92022 in later years. A starting point in the mentoring process is to match the inter- ests of the older and younger students and NOW...BUCK Darts, tool turn them loose on a project. "If a child has an interest in plants and an FFA member is interested in horticulture, the two of ----"•ShJ™ them could do experiments with seeds. Hopefully, through the process, they will Buck Darts brings you a rapidly-growing line of dart build a bond and a sense of belonging." products: steel-tip darts and boards , , soft-tip darts and boards After three years, the program will be . . . and dart accessories, including tlights, shafts, points, turned over to each community to be wallets. Ask for them at your favorite dealer. » managed without outside aid. "By then, we -rvg hope the process will take on a life of g its own," says Garza. ••• ^ June-July. 1991 TRAIN FOR A CAREER AS A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Bel-Rea is the only privately owned NEWS IN BRIEF school in the country with a veteri- nary hospital for "hands-on" exper- ience. Our 18- month program will fully pre- Four-Member Contest pare you for a Teams career as a vet In order to involve more tech. You will work with FFA members in national large and smo contests, three contests. Farm animals, be Business Management, For- instructed by estry and Poultry will be al- veterinarians, lowing 3- or 4-member teams and gain sur- this year. In a four-person gical assisting team, all four members will experience. participate in the contest and Earn an Asso- be eligible for individual ciates of Applied awards, but the top three Science degree and begin a career scores will be combined to Forestry will be one of three contests to allow 4- working with something you already create the team score. member teams to compete this fall. love. . information call .animals! For The size of facilities in us today. Kansas City determine if a 7/76 IRS is Watching CALL TOLL FREE: contest can be expanded at national con- vention. As contest areas are expanded to The need for accurate records of super- 800-950-8001 the four-member team system, state FFA vised agricultural experience programs associations will be notified of the change was highlighted recently when the par- Bei-Rea Institute of Animal Technology at least two months before national con- ents of FFA member Mark Denune, ^J 1681 South Dayton Street Denver, Colorado 80231 vention. Dinuba, California, were accused by the Internal Revenue Service of income shift- Airiencan Velennary Medical Assn and NATTS accrediled. ing or hiding in their son's approved lor veteran training, financial aid assialance available Same Theme Next Year farm income

Approved and regulated by the Division o1 Private Occupational bank account. The family appealed the Schools, Depanmeni ol Higher Education Public response has been so positive to case to a higher level of the IRS. After this year's FFA theme, "Leadership for a closer inspection, the IRS reversed its Growing Planet," it will be continued for decision and closed the case. another year. The theme and accompany- The crucial evidence in the family's YOU ARE ing logo depict leadership, international favor was the clear and documented fi- scope and concern for the environment. nancial arrangements between Mark's According to Bill Stagg, FFA director of FFA program and his parents' operation. information, the theme is an important All agreements were in writing. As a public relations tool and by continuing it member of two agricultural cooperatives. for another year, the public's awareness Sun Maid and Blue Anchor, Mark akso and support of FFA will build. had written membership agreements. His bank accounts were also kept separately Cutting Convention Costs from his parents'. Without this kind of A team of national FFA staff members clear documentation, FFA members and traveled to Kansas City recently to nego- their families may pay heavily at tax time. tiate lower rates for hotel rooms used by Official Dress Enforced let us know when you people attending the national FFA con- Attention to FFA members headed for are moving, so you will vention. Their efforts resulted in 14.8 percent the 64th National FFA Convention — continue to receive FFA a drop in the cost of hotel/motel rooms in 44 look sharp or stay home. New Horizons at your of the 58 hotels and motels used during The national officers, supported by the new hiome. Include both convention. Each state FFA association board of directors, have asked the na- new and old address. has a listing of each hotel being used this tional convention Courtesy Corps to check are Just call Mrs. Magill at year and the room cost agreed on by the all members for official dress who (703) 360-3600, ext. 231 FFA bargaining team. entering the convention auditorium and or write to Mrs. Magill, The team also dropped five hotels used Career Show this November. Advisors FFA New Horizons last year because of their poor condition. will be helping FFA members working in P.O. Box 15160 Four new hotels were added to the hous- the Courtesy Corps. Chapters should plan . ?ndria, 22309 VA ing line-up. The FFA negotiating team ahead. Develop an official dress check list and > " take care of you. will return to Kansas City to negotiate for to use when packing. See page 1 1 in the future conventions. FFA Manual.

FFA New Horizons . . . country Gold GREAT GREAT VALUE MUSIC / "V r X

^\.KaNN\^ 5 TAPES n ALABAMA, W THB BECINMNC includes whv Lady Why Carolina Mouncain Program ^ • ? Dewe Food On me TaDle FOR 12 MERLE HAGGARD, SINC ME BACK HOME

includes Okie From Muskogee i Never Co $19.95 Around Mirrors Sing Me Back Home tl GLEN CAMPBELL, CENTLE ON MY MIND includes centieon MvMind Rose Garden, SINC ME BACK HOME soutnern Nights

if CONLEY, FIRE If you were to buy 5 of these MERLE HAGGARD 4 EARL THOMAS AND SMOKE JESaMHI includes Silent Treatment Ten Me why. cassettes at your local music GENTLE ON MY MIND Fire and Smoke store, you'd expect to pay GLEN CAMPBELL • 5 V\/AYLON JENNINGS WILLIE NELSON JESSIE COLTER TOMPAL CLASER $30-$40. But through this spe- THE OUTLAWS FIRE AND SMOKE cial offer, you can choose 5 cas- includes cood Hearted woman My Heroes EARL THOMAS CONLEY Have Aiv^avs Been cowDovs Yesterday s wine settes for just $19.95! That's a I C6THE JUDDS, COLLECTOR S SERIES savings of up to $20! Original THE OUTLAWS includes Love IS Alive nave Mercy, cry Myself To Sleep / CLASER hits by the original artists. i JENNINGS / NELSON / COLTER

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Mv payment of S is enclosed, fiN residents add appropriate sales taxj YOUR SATISFAaiON IS GUARANTEED OR YOU CAN RETURN ALL FIVE TAPES FOR A FULL REFUND. Payment method: (check one) Make check or money order payable to 'Country Cold Co."

Check Money Order MasterCard Visa

Card t Expiration Date Signature (Reauired for credit Card orders) Print Name Address

City . state -Zip. LOOKING AHEAD

Is it Really Recycled? Drugs Aren't Fair American consumers are Cheaters never win. An illegal veteri- calling for more and more nary drug, clenbuterol, which is used to products made from recycled increase muscle mass in show animals paper, but do they really such as cattle, pigs and sheep, has been know what they're getting? showing up in meat carcasses around the Much of recycled material is world. Residues of this drug can be harm- actually paper industry waste ful to people eating meat from the treated that has always been used in animals. paper making, not old news- The Food and Drug Administration papers and office waste. and USDA's Food Safety and Inspection

Trimmings from large Service are making it clear that the drug paper rolls, scraps from the can be detected in the urine of treated production of envelopes and animals and that people involved in the other manufacturing left- use or distribution of the drug will be overs are all considered "pre- prosecuted. State health officials may be consumer waste" in the in- testing show animals at fairs this summer.

dustry . That means so-called recycled paper products — particularly high-quality He's My Brother printing and writing paper Summer is a busy time forpeople work- — may actually contain little ing on farms and other businesses. It is or no material that's ever also a time that can be dangerous for been used by a consumer. brothers, sisters and other young children. of the challenges Some Here are a few tips from the National with waste paper consumer Safety Council you can use to keep them include separating the dif- safe: ferent grades of paper and Don't allow unsupervised children de-inking it. The systems for around farm equipment, large animals, handling this process are just chemicals, bins, ponds and other potential Recycled paper can now be found in a variety of now sprouting across the " dangers. Don't let them ride along on products, but it may not be "recycled in the sense country. equipment. many consumers think it is. Since the issue is really Never leave a small child unsupervised over the definition of "recycled" there is growing acceptance for the idea of printing in or near water. TTiis includes bathtubs, on the the product percentage of paper that has been in the hands of consumers and how ponds, swimming pools or watering tanks. much has just through the mill. been Think about a child's ability, both physical and mental, to handle tasks you ask them to do. Don't assign an adult's job Shrinking Lettuce Heads with pollen-eating beetles and fruit flies to a child. Teach them how to do a job Miniature iceberg lettuce may appear that dine on ragweed tlowers. A Soviet safely and well. Provide needed protec- in trendy restaurants and supermarket pro- entomologist netted the bugs during his tive equipment. duce sections by 1993. The lettuce is only eight-state exploration last summer, aided

the size of a tennis ball. It was developed by the Agricultural Research Service by scientists at the Agricultural Research (ARS) and university scientists. In North Here by the Ear... Service of the U.S. Department of Agri- America, ragweed's native home, natural The ear of com is the symbol of the

culture. It was developed for people who enemies help hold the pest down. But the FFA secretary, but did you know this can't seem to use up a whole head of plant has pestered Soviet crops and si- trivia: more than 1.1 billion bushels of

lettuce while it's still fresh. Cut into nuses since it invaded the USSR in the com were used in food and industrial wedges, the mini-lettuce makes a single early 1900's, escaping from its natural purposes last year, up slightly over 1989. serving salad. enemies. Now, in weed-infested fields The largest use of com, totaling 4.8 bil- and pastures, Soviet scientists will release lion bushels in 1990, is animal feed. Other Relief Spelled l-N-S-E-C-T-S promising bugs collected in the United large uses include ethanol for blended k. ed relief may soon be spelled I- States. The 1990 trip was the first to this fuels, 367 million bushels; sweetener in N-S-E- s at least for citizens of the country by a Soviet scientist under a 1989 beverages, slightly more than 330 million Soviet L)i. Last August, U.S. beetles ARS-Soviet pact to expand joint studies bushels and industrial starches, such as and moths ti. yi ."r-ble American ragweed and explorations for organisms to control used in papers and biodegradable plas- leaves were shipprj x Leningrad along pesky weeds, insects and plant diseases. tics, more than 139.5 million bushels.

10 FFA New Horizons HAS YOUR FFA CHAPTER BEEN FENCED IN ON THE SELECTION OF A PROFITABLE FUND RAISER? WE OFFER A FENCE CUTTING FUND RAISER THAT:

Contributes 25

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SAW IT SAND IT MACHINE IT DRILL IT GRIND IT PAINT IT

Easy-Weld mixes like putty and tiardens like steel. The two part epoxy com pounds are formulated into one stick

making it fast and easy to mix. Begins to harden in 5-10 minutes, sets hard in 20 minutes. Easy-Weld is a useful product that may be used to make many different types of repairs such as:

RVS i CAMPERS FURNITURE RADIATORS STRIPPED THREADS GAS TANKS PLUMBING EQUIPMENT f ^© SETS HARD IN 20 IVIINUTES SETS HARD UNDER GASOLINE BONDS TO MOST SURFACES

MOLDS FILLS PLUGS REBUILDS BONDS FIXES "YOUR FFA FUNDS WILL SWELL WHEN YOU SELL EASY-WELD"

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Number of FFA members at your school . (Suggested minimum order per member— 24 sticks)

Quantity Ordered -Sticks* Ship date you desire

YOUR NAME -Position. .

School Name . Phone ( )-

Address Fax (

City_ -Stale- -Zip-

Does your state have an annual agriculture teachers conference? Yes- No-

If Yes Date Location

Package twelve (12) 2 oz. sticks per box, twenty (20) boxes per Master Pack

Freight is prepaid and shipped by U.P.S. on purchases of one Master Pack or more Regular Terms: 1% 15 days, net 30 days from shipping date ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

Signed By- Date-

MAIL OR FAX YOUR ORDER TODAY TO: EASY-WELD, INC. • 9117 SPRING BRANCH DR. • HOUSTON, TX 77080 • PHONE (713) 467-1935 • FAX (713) 467-0255

OUR PRODUCT IS MANUFACTURED BY FAMILIES BORN AND REARED (RAISED) ON THE FARM stars Over Troubled Waters FFA Stars travel Europe, see ottier side of trade issue

Moorland, Iowa; Jody Germann, Bowling Green, Ohio; Morgan Ott, Bealeton, Vir- ginia and Weylin Eldred, Bellingham, Washington, the chance to see interna- tional agriculture up close. "Coming from the middle of our country, it's easy for me to make judgements about what other peoples' values, tastes and beliefs should be," said Iowa native Chad Luthro. "But by being immersed in a foreign culture, I've learned to grow in a new direction.

Now I realize that we are only a part of a global culture." Although they are scholars of Ameri- can agriculture, the Stars learned of the tremendous impact of European Agricul-

ture on American Agriculture. It didn't tcike long for them to learn that the agricul- tural marketplace goes beyond U. S. bor-

Jody Germann, left, and Chad Luthro at a Paris market. ders, spilling over into international wa- ters, which are rough at the moment. Germany, Belgium, and France are all membersofthe 12country European Community (EC). TTieEC

is the world's largest agricultural trading group of countries. It

is also the world's largest importer of agricultural products — $64.6 billion worth in 1988, almost $9 billion of which came from the U.S. Because of changes in the way the U.S. and EC governments support their farmers, agricultural trade relations between them have worsened in past years. During that time, the U.S. has lost large markets in the EC. As a result, agriculture has been in the spotlight during recent talks on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This agreement sets the rules for international trade in all areas. Once the GATT is agreed upon,

not even the U.S. Congress can make changes to it. They can

only adopt or reject it.

On The Road The Stars did more than talk in Europe; they were on the road almost every day. In Germany, they toured farms and agricul- tural cooperatives and met with local young fanners. They also ine stars travelled to Frankfurt by train. met with the German Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricul- tural Counselor to the U.S. Embassy in Bonn. By John Pope In Brussels, Belgium, the Stars met with U.S. and EC officials to discuss the importance of agricultural trade for both trading

was on everybody's mind. Whether it was talking shop to partners. In France, they visited with students and faculty of the Itfarmers in Germany, meeting with high-level European Com- Institute National de Agriculture, an agricultural college outside munity officials in Belgium or casually chatting with visitors of Paris. They also toured the largest agricultural exhibition in

iit the Paris Agriculture show, the issue of international trade Europe, the Salon International de L' Agriculture. Other stops in kept cropping up in nearly every conversation between regional France included the Palace of Versailles. Notre Dame. The

Star . -iiers and Agribusinessmen and their European hosts. Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the famous Eiffel Tower.

The -' traveled to Germany, Belgium, and France March The Stars International Experience Program is sponsored 1-10. Th. ip is part of the awards package that FFA members through the National FFA Foundation by the Chrysler Fund,

receive for . named regional winners in the Stars program. DowElanco and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation as a

,',;1 The trip g, 1 ; Lotter, Monroe, Indiana; Chad Luthro, special project of the National FFA Foundation. •••

12 FFA New Horizons Glue page to heavy construction paper and let dry before cutting.

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Two FFA members blossom in the floriculture business

By Lynn Hamilton

is male, the other, female. They You're never to young too start nesses—literally. Mary Kate says, "A lot live in opposite comers of the of my best experiences came from doing One your own business country—she in Florida, he in dirty work—it's hard to manage your own Both Mary Kate and Dan learned that Washington State. He's a senior business if you haven't been at the bottom you have to get an early start to keep ahead in high school, she's a junior in college. of the totem pole." of the game. Dan started memorizing the But for all of their differences, these two As she grew older and more experi- names of his father's dahlia's at the age of FFA members have something in com- enced in lawn care and landscaping, she nine, while Mary Kate began mowing mon—successful floriculture businesses realized she could earn and learn more if lawns in a nearby trailer court when she they started from scratch in their back- she bred and grew her own plants— a was 12. 'it was definitely a way to get yards. process called propagating. With that, your feet wet in business," Mary Kate The businesses themselves are as dif- she started to grow her own plants and says. Both profited from their unique po- ferent as crab apples and crabgrass. Dan grew a more efficient business. sitions as young entrepreneurs in their Pearson, 18, of the Elma, Washington In the cooler climate of Washington, communities. At age 1 1 , Dan peddled his FFA Chapter, grows dahlias and sells them Dan has also had his share of sweat. His own blooms at the Olympia Fanners as t qiiets and bulbs, while Mary Kate dahlia business spans the calendar, with Market, where he still sells flowers today. Parks, >r the Sebring, Florida FFA one crop grown outside in the summer, "People remember me. They come up and Chapter, her home-grown palms and and two crops in the greenhouse during ask, 'Weren't you that little boy?'" ferns as the o- ' for her landscape design the winter. After picking all the flowers, While many of their friends spent time business. Ho :...,•. ri-ese two members the "tubers" or bulbs, must be dug up, watching television, these two young have reached fio'al aii:' : :n:incial success washed and sorted into varieties, and stored people were digging into their busi- in a similar fashioi to be either sold or replanted. And of

14 FFA New Horizons "

course, each week after the flowers bloom, they must be cut and hauled to the Olym- pia farmer's market to fill his Dan's Dahlia's stand.

Be good to the customer, and they'll be good to you. Dan guarantees every "tuber" he sells will grow—if it doesn't, he sends the customer a free tuber the next season. At the farmer's market, people who browse through the Dan's Dahlias stand don't find pre-arranged bouquets. Instead, they can pick and choose among the buckets of flowers, brimming with blooms anywhere from two inches to a foot in size, and in every color of the rainbow except blue, green and brown. He has approximately 160 different varieties of dahlias to please his wide range of customers. Mary Kate cites her high quality plants and personal attention to her customers as factors in her success. "It costs you very little to be nice to people and add that personal touch to things," she says. She Pearson trucks his dahlias to the Olympia Farmers Market from his home in Elma. also was able to give fresh, new ideas to projects, such as designing a nature trail. She knew the basics, and without any Raising prize-winning plants has been formal training in landscape design, the best marketing tool for both of them. worked with the natural surroundings to Dan and Mary Kate have won top honors produce a creative, attractive area for in various shows in their states, and the people to enjoy. publicity generated from these honors gave a boost to their businesses. Marketing—The key to bigger business Get started in your own business Both Kate and are examples Neither of these young entrepreneurs Mary Dan of far can take your Supervised has been successful by keeping quiet about how you Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. their business. Dan and Mary Kate have quickest road to get somewhere is to used various methods of getting the word "The get involved doing an SAE." Mary Kate out about their flowers and ferns, from Dan Pearson started selling flowers at says. "Members should start doing a traditional newspaper advertising, to spe- age 11. Now people ask, "Weren't you project before they have a chance to sec- cial promotions. Mary Kate found that her that little boy? ond-guess themselves." choosing "Seed Promotion" worked quite well. At When that SAE, Dan says, "It's important to the end of a landscape job, she gave away find your own interest." He was raised on extra plants to interested neighbors or adairy farm, did his share of the work, onlookers, attracting some valuable cus- and tomers. but his real love was dahlias—and that's what he decided to pursue. Mary Kate decided early to keep her Mary Kate says, "Devote your time, market area close to home, targeting her energy and money to improve the plants and skills in south central Florida. SAE you've started." attention to your agri- That way, she minimized her transporta- Pay cultural classwork, too, she says. "Anyone tion costs, and was able to concentrate on will a success if they have the basic the quality, instead of the quantity of her be ••• plants. knowledge and know how to apply it. " Dan planned a national marketing strat- egy, by advertising for mail order tubers Dan Pearson is the national winner of the FFAFIoricul- in a national floral magazine. His dahlias ture Proficiency Award, and Mary Kate Parks is the are grown all over the U.S. He also culti- southern region winner. The award is sponsored by

vates local customers by providing com- The Lerjo Corporation , Annerican Floral Endowment, the Paul Ecke Poinsetfla Ranch and the Professional plimentary flower arrangements to busi- Plant Growers Association asa special project of the nesses and for special community events. National FFA Foundation.

June-July. 1991 15 By Shirley Sokolosky

hink back. Remember your first day of class and FFA. Most likely your stomach was upside down as T you explored a new school building and searched for your classrooms. No doubt you worried that you'd be late and every- body would think you were a geek for walking in after the bell. Maybe breakfast lay in your stomach like a giant lump as your teacher asked your name and you couldn't remember. Perhaps everything was a blur as you panicked and wondered

how you would ever remember it all. And maybe, just maybe, you knew deep down that you were on to something big—an adventure so different from your child-

hood that you couldn't wait to get on with it. As the first days of the school year ticked by, things started getting easier.

Your locker opened when it was supposed to. Your volleyball serve actually went over the net. Pizza started tasting normal again. That incredible-looking person looked at you with interest.

It was going okay. And then your advisor explained one little Coming challenge: THE CREED. Why me, you groaned. This was going so well. I'll never

memorize that. And if I could, I could absolutely never stand up in front of anybody (including that incredible-looking person) and

say it all the way through. It's a whole page long. I am going to pass

out, 1 know it. Please get me out of this. Out of Then the incredible happened. Not only did you leam it. Not only did you get up in front of everybody. You did it. You only stumbled a little bit, once. And when you were done, they clapped.

They liked you. It was the most incredible thing. You were somebody. Oh, what a feeling. Your Growing up was going to be okay after all. Autumn turned into winter, and you heard your teacher talking contests: speaking and judging and parliamentary procedure. Standing up in front of

everybody wasn't easy, but it wasn't horrible either. And nobody had told you FFA was going to be such fun—the long rides to contests and conventions filled with laughing and teasing, sharing

16 FFA New Horizons .

places and experiences together as you person whose biggest challenge was "talk- made new friends. You iiad found a niciie ing to other students." for yourself, and nothing would ever be The ages of 13, 14 and 15 can have the same again. their rough spots. Dating and school and acne and getting along with parents are There are countless people who give major issues. There's pressure to comform FFA full credit for their accomplish- to your peers when conforming is the ments. Fanners, politicians, teach- worst possible idea. But let's not forget ers, lawyers and people from every imag- that it can be a glorious time. too. These inable walk of life look back and say, "It years are when many of us find out our made me what I amtoday. It brought me real talents and interests, and we first out of my shell. It taught me to get up jump out of the nest to see if we can tly. before a group and say what I thought. FFA is all about building self confi- FFA was the best influence I ever had." dence at a time when a person may not be But what does this all mean? How does feeling too confident, says Advisor Jon FFA draw people ^^^^^""^^^^^ Fabricius, from out? What makes a ^ Genesee, Idaho. reluctant teenager "We're providing decide to compete in an opportunity for FFA is all about building says that no matter when it happens, FFA a speech contest? them to build self helps almost everyone who goes through How does a person self confidence at a confidence and it's the program, and his wife Teresa, who ever get the courage a time in their life teaches speech and English in the same to stand up and speak time wtien a person when they're ripe school has proof of ITA as a springboard in an FFA meeting? may not be feeling too for it." for young people. Consider Flossie Fabricius says "I had a group of freshmen in my that is a Hwang of Lowville, confident. success second semester speech class, and I could

N.Y. She describes confidence builder. tell which ones were in FFA," says Fab- ^~""™"^^^^^^^^^^^' - herself as "really andthatmanyofhis ricius. She notes that the FFA students shy" before joining students are in- had already been speaking, going to fairs FFA and she remembers well: "I was spired by their first activity, judging live- and taking part in activities. "FFA may never the mingling type. The biggest chal- stock. "Even those who don't know about not be the only way to get that kind of lenge for me was talking to other stu- livestock can have success," and they are experience, but it's one of the few ways dents." ready for the next group of challenges: and one of the best ways." "Group things were hard," admits learning the creed, FFA knowledge and

Hwang. "I had things to say, but I was parliamentary procedure. intimidated." Since FFA requires partici- In a school the size of Genesee's (90 Think back. Remember how you felt pation, though, Hwang found herself tak- students in grades 9 through 12) students as you were handed your high school ing part and recalls making a motion dur- can be recognized in the community, and diploma. You probably looked the ing her eighth grade class meeting. There without FFA that might not have hap- presenter straight in the eye as you gave a weren't many in the class, she says, and pened. "We have a student, Eric Bennett, firm handshake. While other people she had no choice about joining in. who won the district Extemporaneous sniffled about high school being o\er, That motion was just the start for Public Speaking Contest, was top parlia- perhaps you could hardly contain your Hwang. Horse judging, leadership trips mentary procedure chairman in the dis- excitement at what was ahead.

and other activities gave way to chapter trict and was elected district reporter. He ' 11 By now, you knew the truth. That little offices, and eventually to the office of have his name in the paper three times and push you gave yourself as you rose from state sentinel. And in the fall of 1990, has come into his own." the chair to recite the FFA creed w as only Hwang was asked by the prinicipal of Hitting one's stride doesn't happen the first of many nudges you w ould give Lowville Academy, her school, to give a overnight. Some blossom as soon as they yourself That FFA wasn't just a game presentation at the school's leadership complete the phrase, "...that inspiring plan for high school; it was a blueprint for first workshop for 1 00 students. "It was a honor, task." Others aren't wowed until they see life. That the time >ou stuck Nour

because I was the the first student ever a state convention or feel the warm wood neck out and took in the world, it was just asked to do a workshop." Not bad for a of a plaque in their hands. Jon Fabricius vour first look at a most beautiful view

June-July. 1991 17 Agriculture's New Professionals Corporate Executive

sharing the long range and short range plans with as many as people as possible. Like any successful company, Costley says that the success of Kellogg hinges on

the quality of the people that work there, i Former FFA mem- "You have to select, train and retain the people. That is an absolutely crucial ber Gary Costley, right issue," he explains. Ph.D., is executive vice president of He says that being a manager of people the Kellogg Com- is a rewarding and often delicate job. "In pany and presi- management, we have awesome power dent of the U.S. over people's lives. It is both challenging Food Products Di- and frightening. When you have that kind

vision. of power, if you misuse it or make mis- takes, you can negatively affect people's lives for a long time. The most satisfying thing in my job is to watch and help people grow. I'm continually amazed at the po- tential of the human mind. People are able to do things that they never imagined " By Andrew Markwart they'd be able to do. What kind of people is Costley looking for when he hires? "People have to do the Costley climbed on the train tions, acquisitions and mergers, the legal job first," he says. "Then we place a very Garybound for Kansas City. He was department, manufacturing and market- high priority on interpersonal and com- headed for the national FFA con- ing, govemmental affairs and currently, munication skills. People who can't com- vention. It would be the first time management. he would see what was on the other side of How does a scientist wind up working municate either don 't get hired or don't do for the Rocky Mountains. in all these areas and eventually as a top very well at Kellogg. We look people On the same train was the public speak- manager? It's the result of Costley "s phi- who want to work hard. There's a very ing finalist from Oregon. "1 sat in the losophy that, "people have to be willing to high work ethic around here. They have to comer and watched him practice all the leave an area where they are comfortable be nice people. We expect our people to way to Kansas City." says Costley. "I saw and go to an area where they don't have treat each other and our customers with more skilled people at that convention expertise. You have to be willing to risk respect. And we want people who believe in cereals. Mr. Kellogg said than I had ever seen in my life. That was learning some new things." ready-to-eat an eye-opening experience for a young He believes that a person's education that nobody can market a product they subscribe to that." farm kid from eastern Oregon. It was like is just the starting point for leaming. "You don 't believe in and we president says opening up a huge world." have to be a constant student. I learn The former chapter FTA Now Gary Costley. Ph.D., plays a big something about this business every day," that his experiences in high school agri- part in feeding that huge world every says the president. culture and FFA were an important launch- career. "I don't believe morning. He is executive vice president Costley 's division generates $3 billion ing point for his of the Kellogg Company and president of in sales each year. About 8,000 people that I would be setting in this office today agriculture in its largest unit, the U.S. Foods Division. If work for him. As president, he has to had I not taken vocational you've eaten Pop-Tarts, Com Flakes or know the business inside and out. "I'm an high school," says Costley. "I wasn't a any of Keliogg's ready-to-eat breakfast expert of the cereal business. We under- particularly good student. FFA taught me speaker. I did it pretty cereals in your life. Gary Costley has stand what it takes to make com flakes to be a good public

it gave the confidence to do helped bring it to your table. and what it takes to sell them and how well and me fter graduating from high school, he advertising works and what doesn't work. something academically well." ean. ' ^-s Bachelors of Science, Masters We know the details. When you're walk- He says that kind of self-esteem boost of Sc and Ph.D. in nutrition/bio- ing around talking to people, you had helped him build confidence. "Vocational chemisi Veeon State University. And better know what you're talking about." agriculture gave me an opportunity to

s prove to myself that I wasn't dumb and although 1 'A orked at Kellogg since With that kind of knowledge, much of

' I I the leaving colk \ears ago. he hasn't his time is spent planning where the com- that wasn't a bad student. owe FFA stayed in the same job In that time, he has pany needs to go and then communicating a lot. I don't believe that I would have ever worked in or mar 'ged tne areas of nutri- that vision to the people who work with gotten a Ph.D. if it had not been for the agriculture training I got in tion research, produ Jt develop'nent, engi- him. I spend a great deal of time talking vocational ••• neering, computer sei k-es. public rela- to people, deciding who to put where. high school."

18 FFA New Horizons WHAT'S NEW

Here's a sneak preview of exciting new FFA fashions for '92 featuring tlie "FFA-Maximum Impact" logo. To order any of the items on this page turn to the coupon on page 35 — and don't forget to check out the 1991-92 Supply *92 Service catalog this August to see all the new items available. Ask your advisor!

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is imprinted in metallic sil- ver and navy blue with navy trim on the cuffs and waistband, drawstring Flag T-Shirt - White 50/50% flag t- collar, 65/35% poly/cot- shirt with red/white/blue impnnt fea- ton, sizes: s, m. I, xl. turing FFA emblem symbols, sizes: #SWS-ZIP, $34.95 s. m. I, xl and xxl for an additional $2.00. #305-FLAG, $6.95, (XXL- $8.95)

Flannel Plaids - Hot new look! Plaid boxers and pants

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June-July, 1991 19 all began when Ryan and ItMitzie McDougle's grandpar- ents moved next door. Their grandparents liked the plants from their prev ious house so much that they dug all the plants up and moved them with the rest of the family possessions. As Ryan, Mitzie, mom, dad, grandma and grandpa were planting the flowers in front of the new house, a man stopped his car and asked if he could buy some of the good-look- ing plants. The McDougles were happy to sell a few. Word spread that the McDougles had some nice creep- ing flox and candy tuft plants at a good price, and they were just around the comer. More people inquired. More plants were sold. Before long the McDougles Ryan and Mitzie are learning the business, literally, from the ground up. were loading the family pick-up and delivering the plants to regular Sandy's Plants, Family Business From the beginning, the nursery plant business has

been a family affair for the McDougles By Andrew Markwan

customers. Ryan remembers "getting up at .'i:30 in the morning before school, sponse to the high demand for the plants works for the Department of Agriculture.

digging plants to ship for the day , and then than an aggressive business plan. The Ryan goes to college. Mitzie is a senior in

finding an uncle or cousin to drive for us."" family is also very particular about the high school. Everyone is busy, but every- That was 1979. Since then, the opera- quality of the plants they sell. one gets involved in the business. tion has grown into Sandy"s Plants, a Located in Mechanicsville, Virginia, wholesale plant business that sold more just outside the state capital of Richmond, than a half-million plants last year. The the business now sells mostly to retail Get Your Hands Dirty business employs four full-time staff and nurserymen and garden centers. They Ryan has spent much of his time in the eight par' time workers. They've gone deliver truckloads of plants to the Wash- business with his hands dirty, filling the from just varieties of perennial plants ington, D.C., area, about 100 miles away. thousandsofplantcontainers with soil. In to more tha " They dabble in annual Virginia Beach, a tourist area, is another fact, he and his father developed a way to

plants, selling, L"^. (KM) last year. There major market. Commercial landscapers mix the soil, fertilizer and lime and then

is even a Sandy ii.is catalog that was also buy a large number of plants each fill the containers using a silage mixer. started three years ... in order to keep year. This time-saving trick allows them to fill

the business moving .'. \[\c off-season. It is a family business, owned by mom. 6,000 pots in three hours. "What used to

Ryan, now 19, says liiai the growth of (HernameisSandy.That"s why it "s called take us a week now can easily be done in Sandy"s Plants has been ioorc of a re- Sandy"s Plants.) Their father, Wayne, an afternoon," says Ryan.

20 FFA New Horizons it — When he turned 1 6, Ryan started mak- college and is interested in how could time around home fixing things up ing deliveries and found he liiced talking benefit the business. She's not sure if she another plus for plant sales. with the customers and that he had a will return tothebusiness.but if shedoes, He says that today's busy consumer knack for sales. "Making deliveries is the she plans to build a tissue culture lab to wants a low-maintenance garden, so pe- best contact you can have with your cus- develop new varieties of plants and patent rennials are perfect for the job. In the long tomers," says Ryan. "They talk about them. run, he says, people save money with what their customers are asking for and I Like her brother, perennials because they can show them a plant they may not have Mitzie has been recog- don't have to replant

J seen that might sell well for them." nized for her contribu- every year. He says that many times the plants sell tions to the business. She The Word Is... The family always themselves. His normal delivery route was named the state Perennials, such as keeps their eyes open takes him to a string of retail stores who Nursery Operations Pro- creeping flox, are plants for clues of what cus- purchase between 500- 1 ,000 plants each. ficiency award winner tomers might be want- that grow year after year He can load up to 2,500 plants into one of last year. ing in the future. Trips without replanting. /Annu- the company's box vans, so naturally, to a friend's house or Know Thy als, such as petunias, buyers see what the guys down the street days at the amusement have ordered. "They'll look up and see Customer normally complete their park always include a what everybody else is getting and say, Over the years, the growth cycle in one year. quick inspection of 'Wow, that looks really nice, I'd like to McDougles have learned what people are grow- have some of that."' Ryan has sometimes a lot about their custom- ^^^^^^* ing. They subscribe to even included some new varieties that ers and why people buy seven magazines to see weren't being delivered to anyone. certain plants. The more they know about what is pictured. "If a really nice plant Ryan's involvement in the business their customers, the better job they do stands out in Southern Living" chuckles earned him the eastern region Agricul- delivering what the customers want. Ryan, "everybody has to have one. It's tural Sales and Service Proficiency award According to Ryan, when the economy amazing the impact one picture can have last November. Because he enjoys work- is sluggish, most people cut back on pro- on our business." ••• ing with people so much, he wants to fessional landscaping, which cuts into the pursue a career in politics while working plant business. At the same time, those in the nursery business. He just finished same people will drive down to the local The Agricultural Sales and Service Profi- his first year at Virginia Tech, majoring in garden center and buy their own plants. ciency award is sponsored by Chevrolet history political science, to The result for Sandy's Plants is that there and and plans Motor Division - Trucks, ICI Americas Inc.; go to law school. is just a shift in market location. Also, SmithKline Beecham Animal Health: and since money is tight, fewer people are Northrup King, as a special project of the taking vacations and are spending more National FFA Foundation. Working Smarter, Not Harder The McDougles are using new tech- nology to make their business more effi- cient. On Monday mornings, they fax lists of what plants are available to their top customers. Orders are faxed back quickly and the plants are shipped later that day. Since last year, a computer has taken over most of the dreaded paperwork, ^ thanks to Mitzie. 17. who is also president Sandy's of the Lee-Davis FFA Chapter. The com- puter keeps track of plants at the nursery, RANTS and with so many plants being continually grown and sold, it's a big job. The com- puter is programmed so that when a sales vHO.^'-- Perennial ;,;;,,,, receipt is generated, it automatically sub- tracts the number of plants sold from the total inventory. They also use the computer to keep lists of customers for catalog mailing la- bels and to keep track of who owes money. They can watch buying trends from year to year in order to plan better. Mitzie has also programmed the computer to print out special stakes that are stuck in the plant containers to identify plants for the customer. These stakes used to be done by hand, another boring, time-consuming task. The family's Individual interests compliment each other on the job. Sandy Along with being the computer expert McDougle, center, mother and owner of the business, enjoys planting the in the family, Mitzie is also the scientist. perennials the most. Ryan likes the heavy worit outside and dealing with the She plans to major in biotechnology in customers. Mitzie is into computers and plant science.

June-July. 1991 21 You Make It Happen

A series of articles to tielp FFA members

get the most out of life

Don't Give up!

By Scott McKain

I travel across the country and around the Asworld giving speeches for some of America's top corporations and associations, I'm often

asked what is the most important ingredient necessary for personal and professional success.

For the answer, I go back to the days of my FFA membership. When the Crothersville, Indiana, FFA Chapter spon- Scott McKain sored a "Sweetheart Dance" during my senior year, we naturally hired the best band we could find. It was "Crepe Soul." Crepe Soul had two lead singers; a tall guy named Fred and a short guy named Johnny. While Fred would now know better as John Cougar Mellencamp...sing. sing the hottest songs on the radio (and often make them He persisted until he was successful. sound better than the records), Johnny wanted to sing In FFA, a young man from Indiana hears a speaker

the songs he'd written himself. tell an FFA convention to set a goal and write it down. The crowd started to boo Johnny at the Sweetheart Then, he said, you must persist until you achieve your Dance. No one wanted to dance to his songs. The crowd goal. only wanted to hear what was popular. The Greenhand wrote, "Win state FFA public speak-

As chapter president, I was to pay the band follow- ing contest."

ing the dance. Since I knew Johnny, I gave him the His freshman, sophomore and junior years, he tried check, and apologized for the crowd behavior. and failed to achieve his goal.

Johnny said, "Scott, don't worry about it. When I'm His senior year he wrote his speech nine months in

singing the songs I have written myself, I'm doing what advance, gave it to 32 different civic clubs and organi-

I love to do. I'm going to keep working at it until I zations, practiced every night in his room to a tape

become the best. It doesn't matter what those other recorder; and, again lost the contest.

people say. Someday they're going to have to pay to But while I didn't achieve the goal, the persistence hear me sing." taught me how to give a speech. A lot of people have paid to hear Johnny ...whom you And, just a short time ago, I had the chance to speak on a platform with President Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many other celebrities at the White House and on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on national FFA New Horizons is asking some of the country's top experts television. in motivation and personal development to shore their ideas of how FFA members can achieve their dreams. The important lesson about leadership success is this: persist. Scott McKain is president of McKoin Enterprises, a firm Even when others tell you to stop, even when you specializing in speeches and seminars for meetings and don't immediately achieve what you want, don't give conventions. Scott addresses about 1 50 groups across the up! nation each year. He has attended four Presidential Confer- Remember, can quit when times get ences, including the recent "Great American Workout" at the ANYONE //hits House, where he was a featured program participant tough. Only a winner will have the vision and maturity ••• alono •A'i^h President Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Scott to persist all the way to success.

Sfcived a-i ijational FFA Secretary in 1 974-75 and Indiana

FFA President in 1 973-74.

22 FFA New Horizons He Earned it Through the Grapevine

FFA member has sugar. "You want the grapes' sugar con- Peters expanded his raisin-growing a sweet deal with tent to be high, about 18-20 percent," he business into trucking for several says. other growers. SunMaid For the huge job of harvesting his 16,000 vines. Michael hires the help of a other truck and hired his father as a driver. labor contractor. "A crew of 200 men can Charles Parker, Michael's fT^A advi-

By Lynn Hamilton go through 30 acres in two or three hours." sor, is impressed with Michael's progress he says. After the grapes are picked, they as an agribusinessman. "He 's made a com- are laid between the vineyard rows on mitment to it," Parker says. He lists sev- Michael Peters sees paper trays for drying. eral awards Michael has won, including When After making the transformation from California's Star Agribusinessman and SunMaid raisins in the grocery store, he sees more than just the green, juicy grapes to brown, chewy rai- Kingsburg Community's Junior Citizen red box with sweet, chewy fruit sins, the fruit is loaded up from the fields of the Year, as evidence. Parker says in it. He sees his business. and trucked to SunMaid. There, USDA Michael still works with the local FFA by Michael, a member of the Kingsburg inspectors grade the fruit, which deter- serving on the agricultural advisor)' com- FFA Chapter, grows raisins for SunMaid mines not only the price Michael will mittee and setting up tours of the SunMaid in California's San Joaquin Valley. He receive for his crop, but whether his rai- plant for visiting state and national FTA not only sells his crop to SunMaid, but as sins will end up in the SunMaid boxes, or officers. a member of its cooperative, he is a part be part of the two scoops of raisins in For his efforts with his Supervised owner of the company. He makes money raisin bran cereal. Agricultural Experience, Michael was from both the sale of his crop and Michael has expanded his business to named the western region winner of the SunMaid's overall profits. The coopera- include a trucking operation. He hauls his Agricultural Processing Proficienc_ tive is based in his hometown of own crops to market, as well as the pro- Award, which is sponsored by Carnation Kingsburg, California. duce of 10 other fruit growers and a lum- Co. as a special project of the National He gets a sense of pride from belong- ber company. He recently purchased an- FFA Foundation. ing to and growing raisins for such a well- known company. "Just to see something in the stores from Kingsburg and thinking Cooperatives—What's In It For Me? those might be my raisins—it makes me You might have the choice to sell Michael had to do was fill out some papers feel pretty good," says the 20-year-old. your crops, produce or livestock through and start selling his raisins to them. But Michael grows 30 acres of raisins on a local cooperative. Research your mar- instead of getting the money from his raisins his parent's 1 80-acre fruit farm. He started keting options, and decide which is best when he sells them, he receives fourchecks by renting a one-acre plot from his father for you. Michael Peters had to decide a year, which include not only the sale of his as a freshman, and progressed each year. between selling his raisins at SunMaid raisins, but his share of the company profits. The crop takes patience, year-round at- or through the Raisin Bargaining Asso- He pays a membership fee to belong to tention and lots of management skills, he SunMaid. says. ciation, atrade organization. He says choos- ing a cooperative was a good decision. Michael's cooperative experience Of course, all raisins start out as grapes. "SunMaid is cooperative, so I'm more proved so successful that his father de- Michael grows Thompson Seedless, a a part of their business," says Michael. cided to sell raisins through SunMaid as popular variety, but keeps them on the As a member of the cooperative, Michael well. vine longer than those harvested for table owns stock in SunMaid. and receives Check into cooperative opportunities grapes or wine. To get the maximum part of the company's profits. you might have. It's a great way to be part sugar content, he waits until late August To get involved in the cooperative, all of the agribusiness world. to pick the fruit. He checks the grapes with a refractome.ter, which measures their

June-July. 1991 23 Curtis and Matt Shantz won't skimp on materials or time to get the job done right. feUJClliTy V^OUnTS by Andrew Markwan 1 Matt Shiantz and his fattier prove ttiat quality service never goes out of style

American business has been taking he can do 99 percent of the jobs, but it's they don't want electricians around, ex- its lumps recently, and with good that one percent that makes me go back cept for emergencies, which usually hap-

reason. It seemed that in the 1 980s, and check, because in this business, you pen during harvest time. That's when the there was more interest in getting don't make mistakes." Shantz's partnership swings into action. rich quick than in paying attention to the Along with making sure the job is safe For most of the jobs. Matt will leave the paying customer. No wonder we lost ma- for the customer, you don't make serious farm and take care of the problem. If it jor industries to the Japanese, who were mistakes in the electrical business be- needs the experience of a seasoned, life- giving the public what they wanted — a cause you wind up dead or seriously in- time electrician, Curtis hits the road and quality product at a reasonable price. jured. "I've been fortunate that when 1 do Matt does the farming. Is it that people just don't care any- make mistakes, they are not in the big "kill A lot of this kind of business occurs more? Has the good old "American work you" category," says Matt, 20. "A certain between October and December. Since ethic" gone the way of cars and VCRs? In amount of fear is appropriate to keep they 're always running to help other farm- some cases, yes, but not in Albumett, yourself safe. ers, the Shantz's admit that "we're the last Iowa. That is the home of electricians The business partners pride themselves guys getting the crop out at the end of the Matt Shantz and his father, Curtis, and on using only quality products on jobs for year." you will be hard pressed to find anyone as a number of reasons besides safety. "We Matt is majoring in business at Mt. committed to quality products and service have to live with our customers," says Mercy College in nearby Cedar Rapids. as this father and son team. Curtis. "This is a small town and we live He hopes to one day separate the electrical

"There's a difference between quality within 10 miles of most of them." Matt business from the farm and take it over. workmanship and just doing the job," adds that return visits aren't necessary if a His father's advice is clear and simple and says Matt, national winner of the Agricul- problem is fixed correctly the first time. downright refreshing in a world of flash- tural Electrification Proficiency award. Most of the Shantz's business is based in-the-pan opportunists. "It isn't glamor- He says that his father "drilled into my in grain handling systems. Augers, dryers ous, but it's sure and it's steady and you're head all along that you do it right or don't and air circulation systems all require lots always going to be needed," says Curtis. do it at all." of motors and other electrical support. "If you use good parts and treat people As a young boy, Matt started tinkering Since the Shantz family farms about 700 fairly, you'll have all the business you with broken motors his dad would throw acres of com and soybeans. Matt was able need." ••• aw;i" As his interest grew, he started to practice on most of the equipment he Matt Shantz is the notional winner of the taggi. ilong with his dad to job sites just now works on for his customers. Agricultural Electrification Proficiency award, to watcti 'hrough the years. Matt learned Juggling the farming and electrical sponsored by the National Food and Energy the trade, . ing on more difficult jobs. businesses works well, say the partners, Council, Incorporated, as a special project Now, says Cui tis. "Matt is at the point that because when fanners are in the field. of the National FFA Foundation.

24 FFA New Horizons Celebrating National FFA Week

i^Sg^ff' Leadership FFA chapters seems to really get into the research workers were invited to attend the %/ " '"'forfora growing annual celebration of National FFA Week workshop conducted with materials provided planet every February. Almost every chapter con- by the National FFA Foundation and Spray- ing Incorporated. ducts some kind of event . Here are reports of Systems The workshop fea- second annual member/aJumni basketball just a few. tured a sprayer calibration video which was game on Saturday wa.s won by the alumni Mohawk, Ohio — A legs contest started followed by a discussion of safety procedures team. (Casey Boardman, President and Tim and continued throughout FFA Week in and environmental issues. — Lawrence, Reporter) Mohawk, Ohio, trying to fmd out who has the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ^To start Trenton, New Jersey—The New Jersey "best pair of legs." Contestants included five FFA Week, the 1990-91 chapter officers of FFA Association spon.sored a tour of the men teachers. Mr. Long was the winner and the John Marshall FFA Chapter in Oklahoma American Cyanamid Company Agricultural Mr. Bennett placed second. Votes cost 25 City, Oklahoma, served dinner to their two Research Division operation in Princeton, cents a piece and proceeds went to Children's advisors. As the week went on the chapter New Jersey, for chapter presidents, advisors Hospital. (Chad Arbogast, Reporter) went roUerskating, bowling, had a dinner/ and school administrators. Mesa, Arizona—ForNational FFA Week, movie night, served coffee and donuts to their The day began with Liz Jost, state presi- the Westwood FFA of Mesa, Arizona, set up school faculty and ended the week with their dent, giving comments on the week and on displays to make citizens aware of chemical local livestock show. (Jennie Smart, Presi- agriculture in New Jersey. FFA Week mate- safety. We also put up posters in our local dent) rials were distributed. The day was divided nurseries. (Kristi Sawyer, Vice President) Powell, Wyoming—^National FFA Week into two sessions with several keynote sf)eak- Warsaw, Kentucky —The Gallatin for the Powell, Wyoming, Chapter started ers during the morning session including Dr. County FFA officers in Warsaw, Kentucky, with abreakfast for the high school faculty and James Gramllich, director of American presented flowers and American flags to the with the students wearing cowboy costumes Cyanamid; State Secretary of Agriculture, families of participating soldiers in Operation on Tuesday. The following day the chapter Arthur R. Brown, Jr.: and Mr. Robert Jocoby, Desert Storm. (Rena Swangin, Reporter) sponsored an all club social at school. New Jersey Department of Education. Fort Valley, Georgia — The Fort Valley On Thursday, the chapter gave pies to In the afternoon the groups were shown

State Collegiate FFA and its Alumni affiliate buyers oflivestock from the previous summer ' s some ofthe newest technologies in agriculture sponsored a sprayer tune-up workshop on county fair. On Friday, an open house for such as biotechnology and the u.se of robotics Tuesday afternoon of FFA Week. The college incoming freshman was held after school. The in the lab. (Sharon Duckworth, Reporter) •••

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The Original Health Food. On The Home Front When FFA advisors left for Operation Desert Storm, chiapter officers and others filled the leadership void

FFA advisor Gat7 Ander- son, Sun Prairie, Wiscon- By Shirley Sokolosky sin, hugs his daughter, Tracy, after being away for 1 75 days. Anderson isa lieu- tenant commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. FFA advisors were called Whenup for Operation Desert Storm, the people they left behind quickly discovered the uncer- tainties of war and the challenge of run- ning an FFA chapter by themselves. Lead- ership, they found, was more than giving speeches, and the job of an advisor far more complex and time-consuming than they'd ever dreamed.

"/ just prayed and prayed Rademacher remembers the early days of come back," he says, "and I also knew I he'd come back." Anderson 's absence."! didn't want to be a had this whole chapter in my hands and he

It was a normal Friday night, Septem- boss, but I had to ask people to do things." wasn't just around the comer. ber 4, 1990. Members of Sun Prairie, He quickly discovered that many deci- Wisconsin FFA ch.ipter were working sions had to be made and remembers the "/ am the teacher" theirconcession standat the football game. multitude of details that came with plan- One day Brian Ostler was a student Advisor Gary Anderson's wife drove up ning a trip to the National FFA Conven- teacher, learning the ropes at Tooele, Utah. to say that he'd had an important call, so tion. "I learned that you have to ask people The following Thursday he was in Nephi Anderson walked to the school building what they think, and once you make a interviewing and come Monday morning, to use the phone. decision, stick to it, and don't back down." he faced a class of students as sole teacher When he returned, it became a not-so- Rademacher sensed that some FFA and FFA advisor. Advisor Calvin Baird normal Friday night. Anderson told his members were uncomfortable with him in had been sent to Germany as part of the students that his U.S. Coast Guard unit the driver's seat. "Some people got sick of 1457th Engineering Battery. had been activated and that he was to me because I made decisions," he says, "I "I wished I'd had more student teach- report for duty by 7 a.m. Sunday morning. felt kind of bad and didn't know what to ing, but here I am the teacher," says Ostler. "There were some tears and some hugs do." Help came from Donna Dykes, the "I heard a lot of 'That 's not how Mr. Baird when I told them I was leaving," says substitiute teacher who advised " did it. ' Ostler says he had to make a firm Anderson of the scene that ensued. Rademacher to "do what you feel is best." stand, and had to emphasize that he was in Tiij next day, Anderson spoke with the The atmosphere improved when mem- charge. During the stressful early days, substii ; teacher and on Sunday, he joined bers learned they had to get along with some students dropped their ag classes.

' membei . Port Security Unit 303, bound each other. Rademacher says it's just good Ostler says that Baird's departure and for Dharaii, 'idi Arabia. As a lieutenant training for adulthood. "Later we'll be that of the other reservists had a traumatic commander, ; 'son was second in com- without an advisor all the time." effect on the community. Members of the mand of the un. 'ich provided water- Advisor Anderson's tour of duty was a National Guard Reserve from several area front .security for i \bdel Aziz Port. time of fear for Rademacher. "I was scared cities were called, and in their absence, Sun Prairie's chaj, Dresident Brian for him and I just prayed and prayed he'd the people left behind pulled together to

26 FFA New Horizons "

keep things going as normally as possible. all fearful that Stave might have been in "The FFA officers and seniors were danger. "The students kept asking me, given a lot of responsibility," says Ostler. 'Was he one of them?' 'Was Mr. Stave " "They had to do everything for the first near by?' few weeks—planning, phone calls, set- For the FFA members, fears for Stave's ting up meetings. safety were not the only concerns. At a "They knew," says Ostler, "that if they meeting before Stave's departure, he told didn't do it, it wouldn't get done." Be- them what he expected of them. Blegen cause Ostler was immersing himself in his recalls that Stave reminded them that they teaching duties, the FFA members found knew what he would want done in his themselves accomplishing things they absence. might not have ordinarily had the chance "He's the type of teacher who shows to do. you how to do something, but then lets "They learned that teachers are human, you do it," says Blegen. "We did what he too, and I learned that even if we're older, we would have wanted us to do." should still rely on our students." Lori Stevens says she wondered how Brent Worthington, Nephi chapter the chapter would manage without him and president, says that Baird's departure left says that things were pretty shaky immedi- him with a blank feeling. "You don't ately after Stave left. "Our substitute teacher Mail call was good to Anderson, who know if they're coming back, if you're and the officers had to pull together," she received boxes of letters from con- ever going to see them again. says, "and it was a lot more work than it was cerned students at Sun Prairie. "It takes quite a lot out of you to watch when Mr. Stave was here." ••• them go." As of April 15. Gary Anderson was back in Sun Prairie, wading through "two We did what he would have feet" of mail and preparing for the chap- ter banquet. Daniel Stave was believed to wanted us to do. be somewhere in Kuwait. Calvin Baird The TV sets in Leeds, North Dakota, was with his unit in Grafenwohr. Ger- were on constantly during those early, many. woirisome first days of war. Ag teacher Daniel Stave was part of the 132nd Na- >ww tional Guard unit whose job was water purification in Saudi Arabia, exact loca- tion unknown. Make an Environmental Impact with Everything was always uncertain, says Your Chapter's Next FuncFRaiser! Superintendent James Isaak. "We never knew what was going to happen until it happened, and we knew he'd be gone, but TheMcKenzie™Calibrator not how long." makes accurate pesticide The McKenzie™ Stave first started preparing for his application quick and easy! Calibrator departure the last of August. With the aid It can save wasted money in of the state department of education, the Leeds school started looking for a re- over-applied chemical costs placement. They hired a former ag teacher, and help save the environment- and when Stave left in late September, there was a lapse of only three days before Fund Raiser Benefits: substitute Mark Wagenman started. • risk Lori Stevens, chapter secretary, says No • the students had been expecting to hear No minimum order that Stave had been called, but she was • No up-front costs still shocked when it actually happened. • Fast delivery

"I really didn't want to see him go there," • Non-seasonal she says. • Quick and easy program "It was a weird feeling that Mr. Stave f or write was going to be gone and that he could be For free undraiser information call involved in a major conflict," says Shawn ^.^,^^To/? Identify Worn Blegen, chapter president. "But we fig- Spray Tips o ured he wasn't going to be on the front ¥asl Easy, Accurate lines." ^ The new McKenzie'" Olibrator INST.WTl'i Stave was behind the front lines in a and ACCL RATELY identifies gallons per

unit that moved frequently. ) about When % TEST >^ minute (GPM flow rates of sprav tips A the Iraqis started filing SCUD missiles, con\ enicnt table is included to deteritiine

gallons per acre i GPA ) applications rate. No James Isaak says the students and teach- Fund-Raising Department catching, timing, or calculating necessary' ers were on pins and needles. Referring to P.O. Box B, Fort Collins, CO 80S22 1-800-433T981 the attack on a barracks which killed Na- tional Guardsmen, Isaak says they were

June-July. 1991 27 CHAPTER SCOOP

The Stroud. Okla- A fencing crew from LeFlore, Oklahoma, homa. FFA Chap- FFA put up fence around the local headstart ter started their school and then added new around the school year off agriculture building on campus. with a "bang" by immediately "I Support the Troops" buttons were sold planning a by Portage, Wisconsin, FFA in February conference. and profits were used by the chapter to help send a care package to troops sta- tioned in the Gulf.

Members in the Fairbury, Nebraska, Chapter had a computer network game tournament. Winners were awarded pizza.

The Chapter Scholarship Award for Oak Harbor, Ohio, FFA went to Lou Brough at the banquet. Other members in the top ten percent of their ag classes were also rec- ognized.

Silver Lake FFA in Massachusetts is Madison-Moyodan, North Carolina, constructing an interior landscape in the FFA has joined the ranks of chapters who All of the Narbonnes, California. Chap- classroom with a small greenhouse, wa- have adopted a section of local highway. ter seniors have been accepted at agricul- ter fountain, patio, .statue carved with a tural colleges for next year. chain saw, landscape timbers and plants. Ceres FFA in California u.sed the "Take ••••••• Pride in America" video narrated by the In Chappell, Nebraska, the ¥¥k is build- Honor roll students of the Bethel, Okla- Oak Ridge Boys to introduce a ing a sand volleyball pit for the commu- homa, FFA get their names mentioned in poster contest for junior high nity. *••*••• their chapter newsletter. school classes.

Eldon. Missouri, FFA and FHA collected Candidates for chapter officer supplies for the needy. positions at Genoa, Ohio, FFA ••••••• were asked questions by other When Northwestern FFA and Young chapter members present at the Farmers in Ohio made their whole hog meeting about their reasons for sausage, they had a USDA inspector on runryng and what improve- hand. Members of both organizations ments they felt they would worked together to cut, mix. grind, add make next year. After the ques- seasoning and wrap in five pound pack- tion period, members voted. ages for resale. Lee High FFA m Virgmia dis- Anyone in the Lakota, Kansas, FFA who The Northwestern, Ohio, FFA Chapter tributed food boxes to families in their sold over $275 in the fruit sale for the community. sponsored a "Pest Hunt." Points were chapter got a steak dinner. determined by kinds of pests such as mice, rats, groundhogs, pigeons, sparrows, and Big plans are underway for the New Ath- blackbirds. ens, Illinois, FFA banquet this year to celebrate the chapter's 5()th anniversary. The Elmwood FFA from Bloomdale, Yates City, Kansas, FFA had a chicken Ohio, won a basketball tourney for Wood barbecue and then practiced their marks- County chapters. manship on clay pigeons at a local gun club. ••••••• Hopefully more reporters out there will try their hand at sending us news about a St. Vrain Valley, Colorado, reporter, successful new idea. Remember, most The Forest e e. Oregon FFA conducted James Mohan, took pictures at the Na- chapters elect officers, go to fairs, are in their first "Ci Roundup" during De- tional Western Stock Show as a slide judging contests and go to state conven- cember. Membi jilected stuffed ani- show project for an elementary school in tion. Try to come up with something dif- ;•," mals for a local cti. J: hospital. Longmont. ferent. t 28 FFA New Horizons ^T'^- w m ..>r»i-i. '.,' -VI l-^r

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You can lighten your work load by using computers at school, home, work, play

By Jack Pitzer

ersonal computers and all kinds of software make life easier for many FFA members. We've asked some of them for examples of how com- puters have become a major part of their daily lives. "I used the computer to prepare agen- das for every FFA meeting and to produce the chapter banquet program. On ourfarm we use a computer for all of our records

and it also runs our feed mill. I don't know how an average farm could be properly or efficiently managed without a computer." — Mike Ver Steeg, West Lyon, Iowa.

"As secretary of the chapter, I utilize a special template to store the minutes of our meetings quickly and accurately." Mark P. Lee, secretary. West Lyon, Iowa. "This year with the help of computers, applying for a proficiency award was easy ared to last year when everything rm. fOiTvisyi] 'consuming. Computers also allow

itii^: me to save a lot of time when I am writing you when you have to work on contest anews article."—Aaron Metzger, reporter. materials. Computers make things easier Buying Your West Lyon, Iowa. and quicker while it expands your knowl- edge. Computers and agriculture go hand First Computer? Computers for Beginners in hand."— Tammie Stewart, Couch, Missouri. Dominic Sake from Springerville, Spend Some Time Planning Before Melissa Hath from the Merced, Cali- Arizona, FFA, was one of the national You Spend Your Money fornia, Chapter was a finalist in the CIA finalists in the Computers in Agriculture award program last year. (CIA) award program last year. He had One of the common misconceptions She developed a template that repli- been introduced to computers in sixth people have about buying a personal cates the California Record Book that is basic programs. grade with games and computer is that you should buy the now being used by the entire chapter install operate a He has helped and hardware (the physical system) first, because the template makes it is easier to $2.1 million technical center at his high and then think about the types of soft- transfer figures from a written record to a school. Dominic provided student input ware (the programs, or sets of elec- computerized system. that on the vocational education grant tronic instructions) you will use in the She also helped develop a computer- funded the center. Because of his experi- system. Wrong. ized version of the state FFA degree form ence with computers, he is frequently Before you spend your hard-earned for use by her chapter and a neighboring called on to help with the center and to bucks on any hardware, you should chapter. Plus she used the National FFA install new equipment. spend some time deciding what it is Proficiency Award computerized appli- Although he is still in high school, you want your computer to be able to cation form from the FFA Supply Service officer Dominic is a state FFA and uses do. This will help you avoid buying too to prepare an ag sales and service entry. his computer constantly for speeches, much—or too little—computer. records, calendars and time management. Are you planning on using your PC His major career related applications Computers for FFA as an electronic typewriter? If so, you for computers are in his landscape busi- The really exciting story is how mem- can save money by buying a lower- ness and providing desktop publishing bers have made the computer their per- powered system. You may even want a services for local customers. sonal tool to do more; get better grades; monochrome monitor instead of color. Dominic "s high school agriculture depart- manage their money and earn recognition Do you want to play arcade-style ment at Round Valley High School in Spring- in FFA, school, or clubs. games? You'll want a color monitor erville, Arizona, has four IBM computers, "With the computer, my secretary's then, and probably a mouse and joy- four Apple lie computers and a Macintosh. book placed superior in the region and stick to manipulate the action on the It is typical of the high percentage of high will compete in the state contest in June at screen. Maybe you'll also want to in- convention. Caldwell, Fulton school agriculture departments that have state — Sean stall a sound board, a piece of hard- changed from just a single computer used County, Kentucky. ware that will enhance the sound capa- by the teacher or maybe the officers to "As secretary, I use the word processor bilities of your PC. several in the classroom for all students to almost daily for minutes, agendas, an- Do you want to be able to hook your invento- use as part of their classes. nouncements, thank-you notes, computer up to the telephone, in order "I feel using computers in the ag class- ries and certificates. The annual calendar to access online information services? room has helped me develop a better as well as the program of activities are Online services provide a wide variety understanding of agricultural markets and done entirely on the computer. Taking of information for a monthly or hourly trading. In our classroom we have used away the computer would be disaster to charge. There are also private "bulletin several programs on the computer such as me and my chapter. It is the most used tool board" systems you can access to ex- Trade Simulator, Farm Bureau ACRES, we have. — Katy Blanchet, Pendleton, change messages with other users. If and the AgriData Network to give us a Oregon. you want to go online, you'll need to get firsthand look at how the marketing of Karla Williams, last year's national a modem and communications soft- various commodities is carried out. — CIA winner from Joliet, Montana, has ware. Do you plan on using your per- Tessa Teems, Pendleton, Oregon. made computer technology work for her sonal computer to complete projects as an FFA leader. that you start at school? fi^lake sure you

I to Computers for Projects "As a freshman used the Apple He get a system that is compatible. complete the program of activities using a Because of their comfort level with In short, the types of activities you word processing program. As FFA trea- computers, members have been quick to want to do on your computer determine surer I designed and used a spreadsheet on adapt computer technology to experience the software you need. The software the IBM to keep track of our chapter projects, BOAC projects, agriscience re- determines the hardware. Once you financial transactions." search projects, fund raising record keep- have thought about what you are going "In 1989 I designed and produced the ing, judging team preparation, speech to be doing on your PC, then you can be first state FFA convention newspaper titled preparation, filling out application forms, sure the system you buy will be able to "The FFA Legend." Four issues were and carrying out officer duties. let you accomplish these tasks. published during the convention. I used a "A computer is a 'must' in business. I Macintosh SE, scanner and laser printer to use one for keeping inventory, pricing, lay out the master template for the newslet- PC Novice magazine, o magazine billing, customer addresses, phone num- written for the personal computer ter." bers and direct mailing as my job in our beginner, is published by Peed "I even scanned the CIA application to family's sales and service business. — Corporation, P.O. Box 85380, Lincoln, convert it to graphic file and then placed Floumoy Simpson, Fulton County, Ken- a Nebraska 68501. For subscription information, call toll free (800) 331-1978. tucky. "Working with computers really helps (Continued on Page 34)

June-July. 1991 31 *^*/-"^5v: txAii Readers respond to the national officers' chaliense for creative ideas on lielpins the

environment. n the February-March issue of FFA New Horizons, the national officers offered their views of how to im- I prove the environment. They chal- lenged all FFA members to respond with their own ideas. As promised, here are the top six ideas from FFA members.

Karen Schwartz Robyn Hoffman Slayton, Minnesota Custer City, Oklahoma "You can make compost "Write letters to your leg- with leaves and grass clip- islators and community lead- pings or food scraps. In fact, ers. Encourage them to join every year each one of us in the fight for the control of tosses out about 1,200 pounds

pollution. If anyone is going of organic garbage. If we Ml to make a difference, it has to Amanda Fischer composted that garbage in-

start with YOU!" Galena, Missouri stead of throwing it away, we

"I give a "Let's Care About wouldn t have such a big trash Our Air" speech, complete problem." with a fact-filled hand-out at every opportunity in our com- munity and nearby commu- nities. Learn what you can do to make our air better."

Lee Mayfield Wellford, South Carolina

"Be wise consumers. FFA Kim Kenney

members, just as all people, El Dorado Springs, Missouri buy goods every day. As we do so, be conscious that what "In addition to recycling, buy products that are made of we buy has the potential to Mike Popklns or partly made of recycled harm the environment. Be Harpers Ferry, West Virginia wise consumers by using pa- materials—things such as pop "Work with others. You per, not plastic; by purchas- bottles, tin cans, cardboard canjoin environmental clubs 12 biodegradable material; boxes, and other paper prod- or organizations and take on L buying environmentally ucts. Recycling is indicated roles to improve the environ- saK roducts. and by prop- on the item's packaging." ment. Work with others on erly a.^p;»^ing our goods af- little jobs that can make big ter we use tnem." differences."

32 FFA New HorizO^ fiZT FFA IN ACTION

Iowa Virginia Leadership Fund Raiser School Recycling Service Early in December, the junior class During the open house, seed donated The Culpeper County Senior Chapter FFA members at West Lyon FFA in In- by local seed dealers was purchased by of Virginia has been conducting a recy- wood, Iowa, were surveyed to determine area producers through a silent auction. cling program this school year. We cov- how much interest there was in the Na- The bids brought in about $1,500. ered cardboard boxes with colored paper tional FFA Washington Conference Pro- Several booths throughout the open and stapled a sign which read "Recycle all gram (WCP). Of the 16juniorclass mem- house informed the public about the FFA papers HERE." bers, 15 indicated that they were inter- organization and the activities the chapter We then placed the boxes in each class- ested in attending the conference because participates in during the year. The agri- room, office and the library. We also of its past reputation of providing excel- culture department's new IBM comput- conducted a community wide collection lent leadership and life skills. Later in the ers, purchased through a grant, were dem- of plastics and glass on the first Wednes- month, the parents of the interested mem- onstrated at the open house. The 1 3 com- day of each month. The money we re- bers got together and discussed several puters are linked through a network file ceived from the recycling project was different fund raising activities. server. The network includes one laptop, donated to the local food closet. We col- In the past, members attending WCP and a LCD projection device to serve as a lected a total of 2,100 pounds of paper, were able to finance one-half the expenses leader screen, two pin printers and a laser 1 , 1 00 pounds of glass and 1 .000 pounds of the trip through donations from local printer. We use the computers to teach of plastic. (Susan Ratcliffe. Reporter) ••• businesses and supporters of the FFA. But DOS, word processing, databases, spread- with the large number of members going, sheets and record keeping. Alabama the total cost was too much to ask. So the Also during the open house the 15 Flying members and parents set a goal of raising members were auctioned off to area farm- High $4,500 through a combination open house ers and businesses for eight hours of la- The Oakman, Alabama, Chapter put and soup supper. bor. This generated another $1,500. up 1 25 flags in their town and built a sign The soup, pie, sandwiches and ice With $4,500 raised at a successful honoring the men and women sersing in the Persian Gulf. cream were all made and donated by jun- open house and soup supper, the 1 5 mem- iors and their parents. Donations at the bers are excited about spending July 16- Members also coordinated activities, parked cars and sponsored a petting zoo at soup supper brought in about $ 1 ,500. The 20 in Washington, D.C. (Aaron Metzger. leftovers were auctioned for $370. Reporter) ••• Old York, USA, a heritage park that fea- tures an 1860 replica of the town and Pulling For Success Michigan attracts 200,000 people per year into a town 950. Lesa Ann King, national vice president from the western region, was guest of speal

Texas Bull Pen Star Members of the Ysleta, Texas. FF.-\ participated in the annual Southwestern International Livestock Show Rodeo Pa- rade. They ser\'ed as float participants. horse riders and even created a "pooper- scooper" patrol. The parade ser\ed as an opening for the five-day children's barn- yard and petting zoo hosted by the chapter each year. Over 30.000 visitors came through the area where o\ er 80 head of li\ estock and poultry were exhibited for visitors to pel and feed. "Bovo" the bull and "Blanco" the llama were big attractions. ••• (Continued on Page 36)

June-July. 1991 33 Lighten Up (Continuedfrom Page 31) Sports Champions By Chris Feaver

it in PageMalvcr where the information was was a cool night in early April in typed in on screen. I then printed the com- ItAustin, Texas. Like many nights, a pleted appHcation on a laser printer. This baseball game was being played at the procedure ofconverting applications is very University of Texas. But despite the useful for our chapter." game being only an exhibition, this one In addition to her work in FTA, Karia drew more publicity than most. And why has made quite an impact in her local agri- not? After all, it isn't every day you get to cultural community. "I used my knowl- see a father pitch against his son. edge and skills to assist three county offices Of course, this is no ordinary father. in integrating computer applications to He's Superdad. He's Everybody's Hero. improve and enhance portions of their op- He's Nolan Ryan, of the Texas Rangers. erations. Ryan and the Rangers easily won the

"i compiled snow survey data collected game; though for Nolan it was not his best from 18 survey sites, collected during the performance. He gave up three runs in years 1935 to 1988. for the Soil Conserva- five innings of work tuning up for the tion Service (SCS) office. The data was major league season. His son Reid, a then formulated into bar graphs for each freshman at the University of Texas, was site." says Karla. not so fortunate. He gave up five runs in I "The county extension office had a com- 2/3 innings. puter and needed assistance integrating But in no other circumstance do we see computer applications in the fair registra- the older member of these duos playing Nolan tion and sale operations. So 1 used my IBM perhaps their best baseball ever. How- Ryan laptop computer to design and operate a fair ever, with Nolan Ryan, that is the case. and sale program at the 1989 fair. It re- Despite being 44-years-old and having sulted in more accurate bookkeeping, con- pitched regularly in the Major Leagues solidated the work of four persons into one, since 1969, many believe Nolan Ryan is Recently he bought a bank near Alvin and and made it possible to get everything done pitching his best baseball. has helped bail it out of financial prob- the day of the fair—even check writing." This at the age when very few pitchers lems. "The county weed district supervisor have ever found much success in the Major The legend of Nolan Ryan has grown wanted to know if a computer would be a Leagues. Those that have found success since he moved to the Texas Rangers from good investment for his office. I inter- have done so by being junk-ball special- the Houston Astros in 1989. That season, viewed him as to his needs and tasks and ists, nibbling at the comers of the plate he threw his 5,000th strikeout (his closest helped set up a system that included many and throwing breaking pitches to hide competitor is the now-retired Steve Carlton useful reports such as a database to record their lost speed. Ryan again, is the excep- at 4,136) and went 16-10 with a 3.20 the type and amounts of chemicals used by tion to the rule. Though he has lost some Earned Run Average (ERA). He followed the weed district." speed on his fastball, which was once in that performance in 1990 by not only excess of 100 miles-per-hour, he still con- winning his 300th game, a feat few have sistently throws the ball by people. His equalled, but he threw his sixth no-hitter Computers for Life fastball, combined with a change-up and against the Oakland A's. This May, he FFA members have made personal a wicked curveball, makes Ryan one of chalked-up his seventh no-hitter against computers a tool they use everyday. the most-feared pitchers in baseball. the Toronto Blue Jays, striking out 16

"Computers have cut in half the time it While his baseball exploits have at- batters. Only one other man, Sandy takes to finish speeches and research pa- tracted attention to Ryan, it is his good Koufax, has thrown as many as four no- pers. I would have had to type my FFA nature and down-home life-style that has hitters. speech 50 times before 1 got it right!" — made Ryan the biggest hero in the big Perhaps even more amazingly, Ryan

Phillip Melton, Couch, Missouri. state of Texas. In an era where it seems has led his league in strikeouts for the past

"I use a computer almost every day for most Major League stars get a little too four seasons, giving him 1 1 strikeout titles keeping track of my notes, checkbook and big for their britches, Ryan is down-to- overall. This from a man who first pitched other records. I also use Flight Simulator earth, living an exemplary family life in in the Major Leagues in 1966. He has the 4.0 for fun."— Eric Gerber, West Lyon, Alvin, Texas. best hit-per-game ratio of any pitcher ever,

Iowa. Alvin, a town of 1 6,000 about 25 miles allowing 6.5 per nine innings. He has "I used the computer to write a ten-page south of Houston, has been his home for struck out 9.57 batters for every nine research paper for British Literature. The most of his life. He grew up there and he innings he has pitched, another all-time computer made it a lot easier putting in foot- married his high school sweetheart, Ruth. Major League record. notes and editing. Computers make school They have three children: Reid, 1 9, Reese, Some say this is the last year Ryan will " fun! — Loma Ruit, West Lyon, Iowa. 15 and Wendy, 14. pitch. But they have been saying the same H \ members have grown up with com- His baseball success has made Ryan thing for the past several seasons, until puters. X "ir enthusiasm for the technology prosperous, but he has remained in Alvin they watch Ryan pitch. Whenever he does has led thci m discover countless computer for every off-season. He now owns three decide to retire, he will do it with the class applications it lemselves as students, FFA ranches in the area, working on them hard, and dignity he has displayed throughout members and yoi.;i '; adults. ... getting down-and-dirty with the steers. his life, both on and off the field. •••

34 FFA New Horizons |Yl/^Rk^TPL/^C€

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(Continued from Page 33) California Ohio New Hampshire National President Suprises Four-legged Basketball Plants Outside Class Chapter The East Clinton, Ohio, Young Farm- ers and FFA Alumni sponsored a donkey Members in agricultural mechanics and It was a regular day walking into the basketball tournament in March. Teams agricultural products classes at Coe-Brown classroom. We have a routine meeting in the tournament were East Clinton Young Northwood Academy in New Hampshire every Wednesday, and this particular day Fanners and FFA Alumni; East Clinton are working together using indoor plants happened to be Wednesday. As I sat down Band; faculty and community people; and that help improve the quality of air and to go over the usual business my advisor senior FFA members. add to the indoor environment of the had a different topic for discussion. He Each team fought hard for their victo- school. announced that we were to have a special ries. At half time all the little kids got to Last fall members of the agriculture visitor arriving at Kingsburg FFA Chap- ride one of the donkeys. products class began taking cuttings of ter. It was National FFA President. Mark The final championship game was hanging plants to start new ones for use Timm, who was in California, and one of played by the Young Farmers and Alumni around the school building and in class- his chapter visits was to be with our mem- against the senior FFA members. The rooms. bers. They were already supplying plants to We took him to lunch at a nearby cafe the main office and library, but decided to where conversation was fun and everyone expand the operation to allow students enjoyed themselves. After lunch Mark and faculty to see their work and to im- stopped at the junior high school to speak prove the building's environment. to the eighth graders, then back to the When the agricultural mechanics class high school to speak at a school assembly. members joined the project, they de- After school the advisors and officers signed a plant hanger that could be fabri- took Mark to a research center and ar- cated in the shop. ranged for a ride in a helicopter to see Plants are now being displayed California agriculture from the air. throughout the school in the guidance That evening the officers and parents offices: English, family and consumer met Mark Timm for dinner. (Stephanie homemaking classrooms and the main Wilmeth) offices. •••

New York Tracy Fliehman, FFA president, sets City Showmen vrgima Careers Under the Big Top far back on his donkey to take a three- The St. Johnsville, New York. FFA Roy Slaughter, left, and Ben Nuckols, point shot. right, manned the Patrick Henry, and Montgomery County Young Farmers game was very close, but as the game Virginia, Chapter's exhibit at the and Ranchers hosted the first annual Ca- drew to the end. Matt Snyder put up a last Richmond Centre. The chapter was reers Ag-Travaganza, for seventh and second buzzer beater to give the seniors a invited to design and build a landscape eighth grade students, on March 13, 1991. 17 to 16 win over the opponents. for the Maymount Flower and Garden Students from four schools, Fonda All proceeds from the ticket sales will Show that attracted 20,000 to see the Fultonville, Owen D. Young, Fort Plain go to the community service projects. work of the major landscape firms in and St. Johnsville. attended. (Mike Wamock. Reporter) ••• the area. Dogwood, azaleas and tulips Speakers informed the students of non- were "forced " in the greenhouse and traditional careers in agriculture. Jobs planted around a brick patio and a represented were public relations, bio- Ohio fountain. (Wayne Ambler, Advisor) technology, agricultural sales, financial Trees To Learn By management, government, horticulture The Versailles. Ohio. FFA Chapter and robotics. recently bought 1,000 white pine trees While telling the students about the from the state department of natural re- "non-traditional" careers that they held, sources. the speakers also gave some pointers on The trees were distributed through the finding the right career. One point that elementary teachers to grades K-6 upon many of the panel members kept stressing approval from the administration. Direc- was to make goals, but to keep your mind tions were provided so that the teachers open for many different possibilities. They could review this with the students. also said to start looking for jobs that you The trees provide an opportunity for might possibly like, and to get all the many young students to learn about the information that you can on them. (Annette environment. ••• Jones. Reporter) ••• iContinued on Page 37}

36 FFA New Horizons ! "

FFA In Action (Continued from Pw^e 36) MY TURN Oklahoma Sophomore Sparkplugs In January, Danny Greilner, national .secretary, and Lesa Ann King, western region vice president, brought "The Pre- cious Present" to the 1991 Oklahoma Sophomore Motivational Conferences. There were 2,000 members at the event. The sophomore conferences provided an extra boost to members at an important

Matt Lohr During a recent planning conference uneducated and unaware of what we are in Washington, DC, my fellow about.

national officers and I shot some How can you and your chapter take a hoops at a local fitness center. leadership role? The first step is through

While I was in line to grab a bite of food, public relations. This is your chance to the serving lady asked what the "FFA" educate your community. Be creative in Lesa Ann King, speaking at the head stood for on my sweatshirt. I began to developing new ideas and strategies to table, and Danny Greilner, right, were explain and when I said the word "agricul- reach those audiences. Summer is a great anchors for the training team. ture" she laughed. She replied, "1 don't time to start because people will be around point in their school and FFA careers. need I can always get moving. target those know why we you. and Remember — Danny and Lesa presented workshops food from the grocery store!" people in urban and suburban areas who my focusing on goals and priorities, self-es- As I headed that night I won- know the least about agriculture. home teem and positive reinforcement. dered how people can still see no need for A combined effort by your chapter can Lisa is also a songwriter in her spare farmers and agriculturalists. It's frustrat- work wonders. Recently 1 visited Massa- time and she impressed the sophomores that still see chusetts saw relations at work. ing so many Americans "ag- and public with her conference wrap-up. "Good riculture" as the man in overalls plowing The school board was opting to close Times, Good People and the FFA" is the the field behind his down Bristol Aggie title of the original song she performed to old horse. They have High School due to tie the conference together. no concept of who funding. The chap- "Each nation's standard of living In addition to the conference activities. and what we agri- ter organized rallies, is determined by ttie education Danny and Lesa visited chapters across culturalists are all educated the people the state. (Kelly Mclntire) of its people and thie efficiency about. on agriculture, and of its agriculture. The truth is we spoke at the town Indiana are diverse, bold, in- John Alesso hearing. The end re- novative and excited ^—^^^^—^— suit — the school Congressional Delegation individuals trying to board decided to National FFA President, Mark Timm, maintain the backbone and heritage of keep the school's program. Only because was in Washington, DC, earlier this Senator Richard what this nation was founded on. Why is they were made aware of the true impor- year and called on Lugar from Indiana, his home state. it that those in agriculture who support all tance of the ag program. life in our nation are not given the full The second way to educate people is a cooperation and support they deserve? solid Food for America program. We all The people are not fully educated! know the leaders of tomorrow are the

This is where all FFA members and youth of today. By starting when they're '>m ^^ - advisors play the key role. Words trigger young, we can plant seeds in children's

pictures. For too long the word agricul- minds and correct this agricultural lit- ture has triggered fanning and the word eracy problem.

farming has triggered the plow and horse My dream is that one day people will Over the past few years FFA members hear the word agriculture and see efficient have worked to broaden our organization farmers using the latest technology, scien- to cover all phases of the industry and tists working in a lab, and hundreds of attract new members. The time is at hand other careers — a day when we all appre- that we team together and spread the ex- ciate and respect the ones providing our "* citing news of agriculture to those people nation's food and fiber.

June-July. 1991 37 JOKE PAGE

A newly elected politician was in the Mr. Brown: "Billy, have you heard the market for purchasing a computer for his calculator joke?" office when he asked the salesman what Billy: "No." the computer did. Replied the computer Mr. Brown: "It figures." salesman, "This computer is the top of its Gary Pauley line. It's a combination word processor Given, West Virginia andfood processor, just in case you have to your words." eat An excited woman telephoned her doc- Gale Wilson tor. "Doctor, Doctor, my husband swal- Elgin, Oregon lowed a mouse! What shall I do?" Q: What is a hermit? "Wave a piece of cheese in front of his A: A girl's baseball glove. mouth until I get there," the doctor said. Matt Stefanel Fifteen minutes later he arrived at the

Zephyrhills , Florida house to find the woman waving a sardine in front of her husband's mouth. Q: What would you get if you crossed a "/ said a piece of cheese, not a sar- "He got a haircut today and he ghost and an owl? dine!" explained the doctor. A: Something that frightens people but "I know you did," the woman replied, won't take it off." doesn't give a hoot! "but I have to get the cat out first." Chad Guidry Ronnie Barnett

TTie Russians hint that their next satel- Church Point, Louisiana Noetor, Kentucky lite will contain cattle. It will be the first herd shot around the world. Charlie, the Greenhand Canadian FFA Canadian, Oklahoma

A middle-aged man was shuffling along, bent over at the waist as his wife helped him into the doctor's waiting room. A woman in the office viewed the scene with sumpathy. "Arthritis with complica- tions?" she asked. The wife shook her head. "Do-it-your- self," she explained, "with concrete blocks." Pat Juenemann Clements. Minnesota

A son took his new bride home to meet the family and to experience country life, because she was from the city. A three- year old little sister took the new bride out to show her the farm. When they came to the calf pen the sister asked, "Do you know how to tell the difference between the girl calves and the hoy calves?" Not sure of what was coming the city girl prepared herself and said, "No. How can you 'ell?" "It'se^ V," replied the sister, "heifers have the ea, -^s." "Gee, Mom—the labels only have washing instructions. They Beth Carpenter don't have picking up instructions." Branson, Michigan

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38 FFA New Horizons Ford Trucks Are Number One For Some Ifery Down To Earth Reasons.

Performance. Value. And relia- the widest range of multi-port fuel will cost less to operate than a bility. They're all good reasons why injected gas engines of any full-size comparable Chevy. And be worth

Ford pickups have been the first light truck. more at trade-in time** choice of American Ford's F-Series We just keep working day and fanners for genera- FordTnicks. also have the night making the best-built, best- tions. And why ^^^i highest owner selling American trucks even better.'^

Ford pickups have loyalty and more outsold every other full-size pickup repeat buyers than any of our for thirteen straight years. competition.* ^kl Ford's F-Series have the longest, What's more, an independent deepest cargo box, big available survey predicts that over the next THE BEST-BUILT, BEST-SELLING AMERICAN TRUCKS maximum payload, and 5 years, the full-size Ford pickup ARE BUILT FORD TOUGH.

'1989 New Truck Buyer Study "1990 InlelliChoice Inc.. San Jfise. CA Resale cost estimate after five years. Ford F150 and Cfievv C-1500 base models with selected options. Actual resale prices and operating costs may vaty. fBesl Built" claim based on an average of consumer-reported problems in a series of surveys of all Ford and competitive 'Sl-'90 models designed and built in North America, Sales by Division. Buckle up— together we can save lives. BAILOUTHEREAND YOUSONDANEXCELLENTCHANCE OFGOING NOWHERE

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