Introducing the 2021-2022 State FFA Officers
Congratulations to the newly elected 2021-2022 State FFA Officer Team. The team was elected during the 92nd State FFA Leadership Conference in June. This year the team will have the honor to represent the Arizona Association as they travel throughout Arizona conducting Chapter Visits, banquets, industry events, State FFA Leadership Camp and many additional events.
President - Jack Owen, Willcox FFA
VP - Taylor Groat, Campo Verde FFA
Secretary - Lindsey Bell, Trivium FFA
Sentinel - Carson Shannon, Willcox FFA
Treasurer - Tyler Martinez, Cibola FFA
Reporter - Reilly Rich, Red Mountain FFA
VP at Large - Kori Hewitt, Chino Valley FFA
VP at Large - Kinsey Speer, Payson FFA 
Foundation Treasurer & Executive Director Honored
at the State FFA Leadership Conference
Congratulations to Farrah Smith, AZ FFA Foundation Treasurer and Gala Chair for receiving her Honorary FFA Degree recently at the State FFA Leadership Conference and Rochell Planty, AZ FFA Foundation Executive Director for being recognized as the FFA Alumni of the Year!
Ways to Give to Support Youth & Agriculture Educators
At the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation, we build partnerships with individuals, business and industry, and organizations to secure resources for the future of agricultural education and FFA. Contributions support programs to advance the skills and knowledge of the young leaders through a variety of competitions and leadership programs.

Through Career and Leadership Development Events, Arizona FFA members are challenged to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. Students compete on the district and state level with the winning teams going on to compete at the national level for those contests that are recognized on the national level.

Support from donors enables the Arizona Association FFA to conduct the programs and recognize the students for their achievements. In addition to the Career & Leadership Development Events there are other FFA and Agricultural Education Program support opportunities available for the 2021-2022 academic year. These programs support youth, agriculture educators and those pursuing their career in agricultural education. If you or your company would like to learn more about the opportunities listed below which are available please contact Rochell Planty at rochell@azffafoundation or 602-705-9211.
Proficiency Award
  • Vet Science

Career Development Events (CDE)
  • Agronomy
  • Agricultural Mechanics
  • Agricultural Sales (Co-Support)
  • Aquaculture
  • Equine Evaluation
  • Forestry
  • Poultry
  • Veterinary Science
  • Wildlife

Leadership Development Events (LDE)
  • Conduct of Meetings LDE Awards (Co-Support)
  • Marketing Plan
  • Parliamentary Procedure LDE Awards

FFA Programs
  • Agriscience Fair Awards
  • Membership Cards
  • National FFA Convention Support
  • State FFA Leadership Camp
  • Senior Pinnacle Leadership Conference at ASU
  • State Officer Program
  • State Officer Summit
State Leadership Conference
  • Award Receipient Reception
  • Chorus
  • Community Service Project
  • Courtesy Corp
  • National Chapter Awards (Co-Support)
  • National Chapter Travel (Co-Support)
  • Stars Over Arizona
  • Superior Chapter Awards (Co-Support)

AZ Agriculture Teachers Association Programs
  • Annual Teacher Awards Program
  • Evaluation Instrument Program
  • Fall Conference Dinner
  • Ideas Unlimited Award Program
  • Professional Development

University of Arizona, Agricultural Education, Technology and Innovation
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • New Teacher Induction Program
  • Teach Ag Institute
New Blog:

A Father & Son
Agricultural Education & FFA
Read the story of Wendell and Eric Stevens to see the bond that was created by father and son as they took the journey of agricultural education as a career in the new blog featured on the website. Click here to read their story!
Foundation Board Feature - Leigh Loughead
Having dedicated 29 years to Agricultural Education, Leigh Loughead knows that successful students become successful adults. For 23 years Leigh taught Agricultural Science at Yuma High School in Yuma, Arizona. Following Yuma High School she taught Plant Science 100 at Arizona Western College for six years from 2014-2020. During her tenure at Yuma High School, Leigh served as an FFA Advisor.

In 2020 after retiring from education, Leigh became a Global Buyer for Gowan Company, LLC; a family-owned Global Crop Protection company based in Yuma, Arizona.

An Arizona native, Leigh was born in Mesa, Arizona and lived in South Phoenix and Tempe in her younger years before moving to Buckeye. She graduated from Buckeye Union High School and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. When asked, why do you feel that it is important to support FFA? Leigh stated, “As George Washington said, “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man” -Agricultural education and FFA helps students gain the life skills that will help them their entire life.” For Leigh what greatly motivated her to serve on the Arizona FFA Foundation board, was the students. She explained that “When I taught Agriculture Science and served as an FFA Advisor, I saw quite a few students who didn’t feel like they could participate in the many FFA activities because they couldn’t afford an FFA Jacket or the rest of Official FFA dress. I also saw students who could not have the type of Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) they would have liked, due to financial limitations. By serving on the FFA Foundation Board, I can help those students be able to participate and gain the benefits that every student should have access to.”
Thank you, Leigh for your hard work and support to the Arizona FFA Foundation, and for your unending dedication to the success of Arizona’s youth!
Seeds for Tomorrow
Making a major or planned gift is a way to make a difference in the lives of young people for generations to come. These gifts are all unique and customized to suite a donor's needs and wishes. Visit our Seeds for Tomorrow website to see the new content for options to be a part of the Planned Giving Program and providing a legacy https://azffafoundation.org/seeds-for-tomorrow

Please contact us at 602-705-9211 or Rochell@azffafoundation.org.
Save the Date for the 6th annual Blue & Gold Gala presented by Arizona Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial. Watch for more details at www.blueandgoldgala.org.
You don't want to miss the 8th annual Bustin' Clay for FFA Trap Shoot! We had almost 200 particpants at this past event. Watch for more details soon at www.bustinclayforffa.org.
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