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Archive for October, 2012
31
Oct
| Issue Number 144 October 29, 2012 |
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NFU Remembers Senator McGovern
This week, NFU paused to reflect on the illustrious career of former Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, who passed away Oct. 21, 2012.
“From his South Dakota farm roots, to the U.S. Senate, and later as ambassador of the United Nation’s Agencies on Food and Agriculture, Senator McGovern spent his life as a tireless champion of agriculture, nutrition and rural America,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.
McGovern served as the honorary co-chair of the NFU Foundation and was recognized with NFU’s Meritorious Service Award for his humanitarian efforts in 2003.
Before he launched his political career, the South Dakota native was one of World War II’s great heroes. As a pilot in Europe, he flew 35 missions and received the Distinguished Service Flying Cross. He later earned a Ph.D. at Northwestern University and returned to South Dakota to be a college history professor.
While in the Senate, McGovern served on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Virtually all major farm legislation during his Senate term bears his mark. He furthered agricultural discussion in his book, Agricultural Thought in the 20th Century.
In 1998, McGovern returned to public service when he was appointed the U.S. Director of the U.N. Agencies on Food and Agriculture-an ambassadorial post in Rome, Italy.
“Although he is gone, the Senator’s inspiration and enthusiasm for improving the lives of working people, rural citizens and those in need will carry on for generations to come.”
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Around the States
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Hawai’i Farmers Union Convention
NFU President Roger Johnson speaks to Hawai’i Farmers Union United (HFUU) members on Oct. 22 during the annual Hawai’i Farmers Union Convention. While there, President Johnson met with members, participated in strategic meetings and toured various farms around the island. |
Check back next week for more coverage of Farmers Union state conventions that take place this week, including the Montana Farmers Union Convention (Oct. 26-27), the Michigan Farmers Union Convention (Oct. 27) and the Alaska Farmers Union Convention (Nov. 3).
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Need More 2012 Farm Bill Information?
Log on to www.nfu.org/farmbill for the latest information on the 2012 Farm Bill. It includes both the House and Senate version of the bills and many farm bill resources, along with letters, news releases, and testimony that NFU has done about the legislation. |
What’s New on the NFU Blog
Don’t forget to check out NFU’s blog at www.nfu.org/blog. We will use this space to encourage dialogue about Farmers Union events throughout the country, education and outreach, our members, cooperative development and issues that impact U.S. family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and their communities.
Oct. 24, 2012 Every Day is Food Day for Family Farmers and Ranchers |
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NFU Education Activities and Opportunities
 Farmers Union members were out in full force at the National FFA Convention, which took place in Indianapolis, Ind. this week. In the photo above, Indiana Farmers Union members Mike Buis and Maureen Shirely talk with conference attendees at the NFU booth. More than 55,000 student members of FFA and their teachers from throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands attended the event, now in its 85th year.Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships
Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program Available
Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program is open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students studying at an accredited two- or four-year college or graduate school. The program offers a total of $100,000 in funds to students studying sustainable agriculture.
Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2012.
http://www.annies.com/our-practices/farming/agricultural-scholarships/apply/
Career Day in Wisconsin
Nearly 80 students and educators from La Farge, Kickapoo and Hillsboro High Schools attended the 2012 Vernon County Co-op Career Day, Tuesday, Oct. 16. Sponsored by Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Vernon County Cooperative Association with overall support from the CHS Foundation, the event was held at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in La Farge, Wisconsin and featured co-op and credit union speakers as well as a lunch and building tour hosted by CROPP/Organic Valley.
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Free Webinar: Confined Spaces of Grain Bin Entry
Confined Spaces of Grain Bin Entry
Friday, November 9, 2012 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, CST
Dan Neenan, Director of National Education Center for Agricultural Safety & EMS Program Director, will be presenting a webinar on confined spaces of grain bin entry. Identifying hazards associated with confined space work in the grain industry, understanding the process for confined space entry and lock out procedures, OSHA references and resources, and confined space housekeeping procedures will be among the objectives discussed.
The webinar will take place on Friday, November 9, 2012, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., CST.
Space is limited. Please visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/857021878 to reserve your webinar seat. |
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Join Farmers Union Members to Help Feed America’s Hungry
NFU and Feeding America have partnered for the second year to help fight hunger throughout the United States with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
For the second consecutive year, the foundation has pledged matching funds up to $50,000. According to Feeding America, one in six Americans struggles with hunger, including one-fifth of all children.
All member-driven donations go to food banks that serve hungry people in their communities. Feeding America’s more than 200 member food banks serve 61,000 agencies across the United States that addresses hunger through emergency food assistance and programs.
Through Buffet’s challenge, every dollar donated helps provide $17 worth of food and groceries to Americans in need. With the Buffett Foundation’s matching grant, NFU members will see that number double to $34. If Farmers Union members can reach the goal set of $50,000, it will provide $1.7 million worth of food.
Click here to find out how you can help! The campaign concludes on Dec. 15, 2012. |
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NFU Partners with Home Grown Cow
NFU is teaming up with Home Grown Cow to provide farmers and ranchers with an opportunity to market certain products directly to consumers. Home Grown Cow also gives consumers an opportunity to browse products by location and farming style.
Visit Home Grown Cow’s website at www.homegrowncow.com. |
Farm Price Barometer
September 2012
Current Parity % of
Commodity Price Price Parity
Crops
Barley (bushel)……………..5.76………..12.70……….51
Corn (bushel)…………….. .7.35………..12.10……….61
Cotton, Upland (lb) ………0.723………..2.10……….34
Flaxseed (bushel)………. .13.10……….32.10………41
Oats (bushel)………………..3.75………..7.66……….49
Peanuts (lb)…………………0.353………0.758………47
Rice (cwt)…………………..14.60……….42.50………34
Sorghum Grain (cwt)…….12.20……….21.20………58
Soybeans (bushel)…………16.30………29.10……..56
Wheat (bushel)……………..8.49……….18.50………46
Livestock
Cattle (cwt)………………120.00……….294.00………41
Hogs (cwt)…………………57.10……….161.00………35
Dairy/Poultry
Eggs, (dozen)………………1.23………..2.65………..46
Milk, All (cwt)………….. ..19.10……….52.50……….35
*Lamb and manufacturing milk prices are one month behind all other prices in this analysis.
** Egg Prices are Mid-month in this analysis.
Taken from “Agricultural Prices,” USDA/NASS. |
 NFU in the News
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and staff work with the media to be ensure NFU and its members’ voices are heard throughout the media. For the latest NFU-related news and interviews, please visit
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Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on National Farmers Union
31
Oct
Wyoming hay producers place well at premier hay show
CASPER, Wyo. – For the eighth year in a row, Wyoming producers have won or placed extremely high in the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
The World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl provides growers from across the United States and Canada an opportunity to vie for forage awards by entering their high quality samples in a dairy or commercial division.
Six Wyoming producers competed in the Commercial Hay Division and five producers from the state competed in the Grass/Hay Division.
In the Commercial Hay Division, Kellie Hinman of Lazy 2K Livestock from Wheatland, Wyo. took grand champion. David Hinman with Hardrock Farms in Wheatland, Wyo., was second. Ervin Gara, of Torrington, Wyo., came in third; Wyoming Haybusters with Ervin Gara placed fourth; Kossert Bros. Inc., of Casper, Wyo., was eighth; and David Hinman placed 14th.
In the grass/hay division, three of the five Wyoming samples placed in the top 10. Gerry Danko of Powell, Wyo., came in third. Lazy 2K Livestock was fifth; and Epler Farms, of Hillsdale, Wyo., was 10th.
Wyoming’s entries to the Superbowl were selected by having the top relative feed value at the Wyoming State Fair Hay Show. The winners of this class had entry fees and any necessary shipping required to send samples to the Superbowl paid for by the Wyoming Business Council’s Agribusiness Division.
Donn Randall, Crop and Forage Program manager in the Business Council’s Agribusiness Division, said while this year’s drought did affect the number of entries submitted, he believed the quality of the hay samples was better.
“Most of the U.S. experienced much better drying conditions due to the drought, which helped make for better visual quality of forage samples,” said Randall.
Randall said demand for Wyoming hay from Midwest dairy and horse producers is very high. He also talked with several Asian delegations interested in sourcing Wyoming hay for export to China, Japan and neighboring countries.
“As of now, we are seeing export prices of $20 to $40 dollars more per ton than the domestic markets. This is a really lucrative market for our producers and we are hoping to capitalize on it.
“Once again, Wyoming hay producers have shown the forage industry that our hay is top notch. Wyoming has earned a reputation as a premium hay producing state making our producers very much sought after,” said Randall.
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18
Oct
| Issue Number 142 October 15, 2012 |
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| NFU and Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Announce PartnershipNFU and Hastings Mutual Insurance Company (HMIC) announced their marketing partnership last week. HMIC is an award-winning, regional Property/Casualty insurance carrier serving the Midwest since 1885.
Through this new partnership, Hastings Mutual will serve as an endorsed insurance carrier of Farmers Union and will offer a premium discount on its farmowners insurance policies to Farmers Union members in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“Hastings Mutual is an outstanding insurance company that can offer top farm insurance products to our members, in addition to other great coverages including home, auto, and commercial insurance,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We look forward to the added resources and benefits available to our members through this strong marketing partnership.”
In addition to offering insurance expertise and a farm policy discount, the partnership between Hastings Mutual and Farmers Union will support rural communities through farm safety training courses and materials, membership networking and educational events, community co-ops, and additional farm industry resources for mutual members of the partner organizations.
“We are thrilled to partner with National Farmers Union and the individual state organizations in our territory to offer increased benefits for our mutual members,” said Dan Hill, vice president of Marketing at Hastings Mutual.
“This partnership will also create a unique marketing opportunity for our independent insurance agents to service new farm insurance accounts.”
The partnership will also seek to increase growth for Farmers Union’s association membership in the Midwest as well as continue to expand Hastings Mutual Insurance Company’s presence in the region’s farm insurance market. |
First Hand: Farmer to Farmer In conjunction with National Cooperative Month, we have been featuring a series of blogs detailing the recent work Farmers Union members have done in western Africa through the Farmer-to-Farmer program. Erin Schneider, a Wisconsin Farmers Union member, recounted time abroad. 
Rain, heat, traffic, frogsong, coupled with the steamy smell of ocean and fish, greeted our descent into Dakar’s soon to be flooded streets. I have landed, usurping my temperate cool for tropical steam, traveling deep into the belly of Baobabs, fonio fields, and jujubee fences. I had to keep reminding myself that I have arrived in Senegal, Africa. Once outside of Dakar’s riverine streets and metro limits, the landscape opened up revealing a lively, generous, culture amidst expansive skies.
Yes I saw wild monkeys, sampled nandom fruits (which taste like kumkwats), slept soundly under thatched roofs, awoke to the calls of Abyssinian rollers, got held up in ‘traffic jams of grazing goats’, blazed new roads in the bush en route to farms, was startled by lizards jumping from roofs, haggled for market wares in Woloff and French, swam under waterfalls at Dindefello, attempted to balance baskets on my head while walking, learned new harvest songs and dances, sampled amazing peanut sauces, gumbos, and rice dishes (despite my stomach flora’s occasional protests), rested my eyes under giant Baobab trees, felt very white, and had an amazing time traveling across the country to the far Southeast reaches of the mountainous Kedougou region of Senegal.
But why was I really here, on the other side of the world, away from my farm in the summer, in the middle of the Sahale during the rainy season?
Visit www.nfu.org/blog to continue reading more about Erin’s experience! |
Need More 2012 Farm Bill Information?
Log on to www.nfu.org/farmbill for the latest information on the 2012 Farm Bill. It includes both the House and Senate version of the bills and many farm bill resources, along with letters, news releases, and testimony that NFU has done about the legislation. |
What’s New on the NFU Blog
Don’t forget to check out NFU’s blog at www.nfu.org/blog. We will use this space to encourage dialogue about Farmers Union events throughout the country, education and outreach, our members, cooperative development and issues that impact U.S. family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and their communities.
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NFU Education Activities and Opportunities
Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships
Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program is open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students studying at an accredited two- or four-year college or graduate school. The program offers a total of $100,000 in funds to students studying sustainable agriculture.
Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2012.
NCBA Webinar Featuring Co-Ops & Social Media
NCBA will host a webinar on How to Raise Your Co-op’s Profile Using Social Media on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 2-3 pm EDT.
NCBA’s Colette Beyer and Wendy Goldman Scherer, Social Media Manager for Cabot Creamery Cooperative, will provide an overview of social media best practices, provide quick tips for getting started and involving a team, and focus on how to create influence with individuals and organizations outside the co-op.
World Food Day on Oct. 16
Agricultural cooperatives are the focus of World Food Day 2012.
The official World Food Day theme, announced each spring by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), gives focus to World Food Day observances and raises awareness and understanding of approaches to ending hunger.
“Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world” is the formal wording of the 2012 theme. It has been chosen to highlight the role of cooperatives in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger.
Interest in cooperatives and rural organizations is also reflected in the decision of the UN General Assembly to designate 2012 “International Year of Cooperatives.”
Watch this page for information materials and news about World Food Day observances taking place around the world.
To learn more, please visit http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/
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Join Farmers Union Members to Help Feed America’s Hungry
NFU and Feeding America have partnered for the second year to help fight hunger throughout the United States with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
For the second consecutive year, the foundation has pledged matching funds up to $50,000. According to Feeding America, one in six Americans struggles with hunger, including one-fifth of all children.
All member-driven donations go to food banks that serve hungry people in their communities. Feeding America’s more than 200 member food banks serve 61,000 agencies across the United States that addresses hunger through emergency food assistance and programs.
Through Buffet’s challenge, every dollar donated helps provide $17 worth of food and groceries to Americans in need. With the Buffett Foundation’s matching grant, NFU members will see that number double to $34. If Farmers Union members can reach the goal set of $50,000, it will provide $1.7 million worth of food.
Click here to find out how you can help! The campaign concludes on Dec. 15, 2012. |
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NFU Partners with Home Grown Cow
NFU is teaming up with Home Grown Cow to provide farmers and ranchers with an opportunity to market certain products directly to consumers. Home Grown Cow also gives consumers an opportunity to browse products by location and farming style.
Visit Home Grown Cow’s website at www.homegrowncow.com. |
Farm Price Barometer
September 2012Current Parity % of
Commodity Price Price Parity
Crops
Barley (bushel)……………..5.76………..12.70……….51
Corn (bushel)…………….. .7.35………..12.10……….61
Cotton, Upland (lb) ………0.723………..2.10……….34
Flaxseed (bushel)………. .13.10……….32.10………41
Oats (bushel)………………..3.75………..7.66……….49
Peanuts (lb)…………………0.353………0.758………47
Rice (cwt)…………………..14.60……….42.50………34
Sorghum Grain (cwt)…….12.20……….21.20………58
Soybeans (bushel)…………16.30………29.10……..56
Wheat (bushel)……………..8.49……….18.50………46
Livestock
Cattle (cwt)………………120.00……….294.00………41
Hogs (cwt)…………………57.10……….161.00………35
Dairy/Poultry
Eggs, (dozen)………………1.23………..2.65………..46
Milk, All (cwt)………….. ..19.10……….52.50……….35
*Lamb and manufacturing milk prices are one month behind all other prices in this analysis.
** Egg Prices are Mid-month in this analysis.
Taken from “Agricultural Prices,” USDA/NASS. |
NFU in the News
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and staff work with the media to be ensure NFU and its members’ voices are heard throughout the media. For the latest NFU-related news and interviews, please visit
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20 F Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20001
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18
Oct
| Greetings!,Friday European Union officials informed plants in Mexico and Canada that they were ineligible to import cheval (horse meat) to the E.U. produced from U.S. horses unless that had documentation to prove that the animals had been in the country where the plant was located for a minimum of three months. Today, that restriction was lifted. We wanted to share this information with you, although we will apparently not have many other details until later in the week.
We are glad that what could have been a disaster and an international trade incident has been averted. As we have more information to share, we will.
If you do not already receive alerts and updates directly and would like to, please input your email address to subscribe on our website at http://IEqBAssn.org. Please forward to anyone and everyone you think would need or want to stay informed about this evolving situation, and post on all horse industry networks and bulletins.
In the meantime, we are trying to update and ensure the accuracy of our growing list of businesses and individuals who are involved in the international commerce of horses for processing, as well as those who look forward to participating in the industry here in the United States as FSIS finishes its work and issues initial grants of inspection in the next few months. Please contact me if you want to make sure you are included and we that we have your correct contact info at sue.wallis52@gmail.com, 307-680-8515, or message me privately on Facebook at http://facebook.com/sue.wallis52.
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The International Equine Business Association is formed to serve the horse businesses and families of the World by protecting their economic, legislative, regulatory, judicial, environmental, custom and cultural interests.
The Association promotes the role of the horse industry in resource stewardship, animal care, and in the production of high-quality, safe, nutritious meat, and other products.
The purpose of the Association is to serve as a production agriculture association for the equine species, to mutually protect the international horse industry, and to promote the use of horses and equine products in commercial enterprises.
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Sue Wallis, United States . Bill des Barres, Canada
Olivier Kemseke, Eurpean Union, Mexico, Argentina
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18
Oct
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Advisors: Making a Difference
Coming soon: FFA Pulse-the daily convention and expo edition
From award winners and video highlights to the latest news and features, keep up with all the action during the National FFA Convention & Expo with FFA Pulse-The Daily Edition, delivered right to your in box each day of the convention and expo. Look for your first issue Oct. 24.
Most accepted theories and approaches to leadership have a deep-seated weakness: They ignore the reality that leadership is found more in the spaces between people than inside “the leader.”…Read more
Is your chapter officer team displaying one of the five dysfunctions of a team?…Read more
Dedication. Discipline. Integrity. Openness. We drill into our students these and other key characteristics that make a great leader. But read which characteristic we sometimes forget to mention…the most important of all…Read more |
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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
It’s time to GROW
Enjoy the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo from the comfort of your own home or classroom! You can watch the sessions live on RFD-TV, online at www.iHigh.com/FFA and more. You can also visit the Highlights page on www.ffa.org/convention to see award-winners, features stories and more. Visit www.FFAnation.org for even more information, including a digital version of the 2012 National FFA Exhibit & Expo Guide, which includes great career information.
Apply for 2013 scholarships Nov. 15
Diverse applicants. Diverse scholarships. Visit the scholarships webpage on Nov. 15 for the 2013 online scholarship application and helpful tools. Top 2013 sponsors are Ford, John Deere, Tractor Supply and AGCO. See the Guidebook for eligibility requirements. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. EST Feb. 15. The required Signature Page must be postmarked no later than Feb. 22.
SAE grants now available
Need money for your supervised agricultural experience? Check out SAE grants! $1,000 grants are now available. Go to the SAE grants webpage to learn more. Contact us with questions, saegrants@ffa.org.
Check out these grants to help fight hunger
Through the FFA: Food For All grant program, chapters may apply for up to $2,500 to support year-long service-learning projects focused on developing and implementing sustainable hunger programs. Applications are due Dec. 10. Visit the FFA: Food For All webpage for additional information and the application. FFA: Food For All Grants are sponsored by Farmers Feeding the World and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Registration for the FFA Rally to Fight Hunger is almost full!
FFA needs your help to assemble one million meals at this year’s national convention and expo. The FFA Rally to Fight Hunger will take place Oct. 24 – 26 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Sign up for an hour-long shift! For more information, visit www.FFA.org/Rally.
All in the familia
Celebrate the contributions of the Latino community at the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 24-27 in Indianapolis! Sponsored by title sponsor STIHL and supporting sponsor Farm Credit, the “Somos FFA, We Are FFA” celebration will pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of more than 56,000 FFA members who self-identify as Latino. To watch the Somos FFA video, visit iHigh.com/FFA. To learn more about the celebration and how you can help, visit the FFA diversity and inclusion webpage.
Local farm bureaus raise funds for “Blue Jacket Bonanza”
Purchasing official blue corduroy jackets for FFA members who might otherwise only dream of owning one was the goal of the Santa Barbara County (Calif.) Farm Bureau. Their “Blue Jacket Bonanza” fundraiser made that goal a reality! In its first year, the SBCFB raised $18,000 to buy blue jackets for FFA members who applied to the program. The successful program is now being expanded. FFA advisors are encouraged to contact their local farm bureau to learn about the program; click here for more information.
Congratulations 2012 National Convention & Expo T-Shirt design winners
Little Dutchman FFA, Pennsylvania
Kankakee Valley FFA, Indiana
Princeville, Illinois
Portage, Wisconsin
Cattaraugus-Little Valley, New York
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
A big thank you to all FFA chapters that sent in designs and voted. The winning T-shirt will only available at the 2012 National Convention & Expo in the FFA Mega Store.
Tailgate for FFA
Don’t miss the adult event of the National FFA Convention & Expo! FFA Alumni members: This is your opportunity to mingle with expo exhibitors and other supporters attending the convention and expo. Enjoy food, beverages and live music throughout the evening. In addition, the National FFA Alumni Association will auction a limited number of items during the tailgate to raise funds for FFA member scholarships. Click here to learn more about the tailgate and benefit auction schedule. Don’t worry if you can’t attend: click here to view other items and to complete and submit a proxy form so that the FFA Alumni can bid on your behalf. Don’t miss out on great items such as a Ford F150 or special travel packages.
Tickets are in high demand! Register today for the FFA Dance
Sponsored by the National FFA Alumni Association, the FFA Dance is sure to be a huge hit! The dance takes place Friday, Oct. 26 from 9 p.m. until midnight. Tickets can be purchased at the door (based on availability).
9 p.m. – Live performance by country artist Levi Riggs. Autograph signing following the performance.
9:45 – 11:50 p.m. – Sounds of DJ Doug
FFA advisors and chaperones get free access to the dance; be sure to visit the advisor hospitality lounge next door. Rules and details are available online. |
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