Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, the Foundation has a lot to be grateful for from 2024.

The Arizona Association FFA and our agriculture educators empower more than 13,000 members statewide. These young leaders are gaining skills that will shape the future of agriculture, strengthen our communities, and build a sustainable tomorrow. Because of our industry partners, we have been able to provide opportunities for students to learn and be challenged to grow – but our work is not done.

In 2024, your contributions helped us achieve remarkable milestones, including:

• Travel and Chapter Banquet Grants for chapters that need support to be able to attend state events and celebrate their accomplishments.
• AZFFA Intern Support to assist with the programs and State Officers coordination.
• Supervised Agriculture Experience Program support for the training program and SAE award program.
• Educational scholarships that help FFA members further their knowledge and career aspirations.
• State Officer Support providing FFA jackets, leadership training and industry tours.
• Awards and Recognition for the Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events on the state and regional level, and the State Proficiency Awards.
• State Leadership Conference including general sessions, awards, delegate program, Honorary Degree Program, State Degree Program, jacket essay contest and the community service project. The Career & Education Fair hosted nearly 40 exhibitors, giving our members insight into future careers.
• Blue Jacket Legacy Program will be gifting 241 FFA jackets to deserving students in February.
• State FFA Leadership Camp support for transportation, student scholarships, and community service projects.
• Leadership Programs support for the Summit Conference, Pinnacle Conference, and Chapter Officer Leadership Programs.
• Professional Development Support, for agriculture educators to attend regional and national programs.
• Agriculture Educators, summer conference gathering, fall conference dinner, awards program, teacher initiative program and new teacher development program.
• Department of Agricultural Education, Technology, and Innovation at the University of Arizona, Cullison Program, Teach Ag Academy, scholarships for students pursuing their agriculture education degree, and the teacher retention program.
• Scholarship & Endowment Program to assist FFA members to further their education following high school.

With your continued support, we will continue to sow the seeds of success, cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders and our agriculture educators who will change the world. Your contribution, large or small, ensures that every member and teacher has access to the resources, opportunities, and experiences they need to grow and thrive. 

Arizona FFA Foundation Receives Award

The Arizona FFA Foundation was honored to be recognized this past month by the Arizona Society of Association Executives (AZSAE) with the 2024 Awards of Execellence in Association Management for Creative Funding. This award was received for the 8th annual Blue & Gold Gala. Farrah Smith, Foundation President and Gala Chair accepted the award on December 19, 2024 at the Sonesta Resort in Scottsdale. We are very honored to have received this award for the past three years by AZSAE.

Limited time remaining to grab your tickets for a chance to win a John Deere 1023E Sub-Compact Utility Tractor valued at $20,000 or a $20,000 credit to any Stotz Equipment store in Arizona. Can you imagine working with the Stotz Equipment staff to arrange for the prize if you select the Compact Tractor or go shopping with a store credit of $20,000? Take a chance and, at the same time, know that your contribution is going towards supporting agriculture education and FFA in Arizona!

Tickets are 1 for $100 or 3 for $275 and may be purchased online at www.blueandgoldgala.org or in stores at Bales Hay in Buckeye, Maid Rite Feeds in Willcox or one of the 5 Olsen’s Grain Stores in northern Arizona, located in Prescott, Dewey, Verde Valley, Chino Valley and Flagstaff.

In-store ticket sales will close January 20, 2025. Online tickets are being sold through January 31, 2025. The winning ticket will be drawn on February 1, 2025 at the 9^th Annual Blue & Gold Gala!

We are incredibly grateful to Stotz Equipment for supporting the raffle for past the nine years! Grab your tickets today and be a part of supporting agriculture education and FFA in Arizona! Take a chance on winning this amazing prize!

Limited Tickets Available for the

Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture

Limited tickets remaining for the 9th annual Blue & Gold Gala! We invite you to join us on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa for the "Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture". This event makes an incredible impact for our youth and agriculture educators by providing leadership experiences, professional development, chapter travel grants, and much more. The night will be filled with time to catch up with friends and colleages, an amazing silent auction, a delicious dinner, fantastic live auction, award recognition and an after-party.

Register today through the link below. If you have any questions, please contact us at Foundation@azffafoundation.org.

Gala Live Auction Packages

The 9th annual Blue & Gold Gala is just around the corner! The silent auction will open online January 24, 2025. You can participate in the silent auction even if you did not have an opportunity to secure a ticket to the event. Register at www.blueandgoldgala.org so you may receive notifications when the auction opens up. We have a large selection of incredible packages! Those that are outside the valley, will be responsible for the postage of any packages won through the auction or you may make arrangements to pick them up in Peoria.

We are so grateful for the generous donations to the live and silent auction. Check out the live auction packages below and you can view more details on the event site www.blueandgoldgala.org.

If you are interested in bidding on a live auction package and unable to attend, please reach out for a proxy form. Proxy forms are due by Monday, January 27, 2025 by noon. Please email foundation@azffafoundation.org.

Be a part of 'The Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture'!

We understand that not everyone will be attending this year's fundraising event, therefore we welcome and thank you for your involvement and support virtually. We welcome your participation by bidding on silent auction items and encourage you to place a donation for the support of the Arizona FFA and agriculture education. We THANK our donors for making it possible for this years fundraising event and we THANK YOU for participating through your donations and purchases.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Experience Raffle Just Launched

Explore the great outdoors and go on a wildlife adventure in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for four days & three nights at The Lodge at Jackson Hole or the Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole for Two, Including a Grand Teton Small-Group Wildlife Safari! Plus four one-way vouchers with Southwest Airline valued up to $800. Vouchers can be combined for two roundtrip tickets.

Your getaway for two includes:

• 4 days/3 nights accommodations at either The Lodge at Jackson Hole or the Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole

• Daily breakfast

• All room-related taxes

• 4-hour open-air safari-style vehicle wildlife tour of Grand Teton National Park

Tickets are $100 each and only 250 available. Grab your ticket today for a chance to win this amazing getaway! Must be at least 18 years old to purchase a ticket and a resident of Arizona. Ticket will be drawn during the Blue & Gold Gala on February 1, 2025 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa. You do not have to be present to win. For more infomormation regarding the event, visit www.blueandgoldgala.org.

Restrictions

Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Hotel may be substituted with equal or similar accommodations. Limited availability in June and July. Some restrictions may apply during special events. Blackout dates: Apr 10-15, July 4-7, Aug 20-23, Sep 7-13, 18-20. The tour runs on specific days of the week and at specific times. If the tour is not available, it may be substituted with equal or similar experience. Entrance fees to Grand Teton National Park are not included. Tour participants must be 6 years of age or older. A minimum of 45-day advance reservation is required. Travel is valid for 18 months from the date of purchase.

Must be an Arizona resident and at least 18 years or older to purchase tickets. No refund provided or exchange. See pdf document for restrictions at www.azffafoundation.org.



Southwest Airline vouchers expire 2/1/2026. Vouchers are not transferable and are subject to the additional terms and conditions on the applicable Travel Authorization Form.

Trip expires 18 months from February 1, 2025. Some restrictions may apply and blackout dates.

The 11th annual Bustin' Clay for FFA Trap Shoot registration site is now open! Join us on April 5th at the Tucson Trap & Skeet Facility for an incredible day to support agriculture education and FFA!

The Double Barrel option has expanded this year to now include ammo for all 5 of your team members! This is a great opportunity for business team-building groups, friends, family, client events and more.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

• Double Barrel - Includes one team of 5, ammo for team and trap sign
• Photography Sponsor
• Signage Sponsor
• Lunch Sponsor
• Technology Sponsor
• Coffee/Donut Sponsor
• Trap Sponsor
• Award Sponsor

Trap Shoot participants, sponsors and others will have an opportunity to join us the night before the event, on April 5, 2024, for a special reception at Casino Del Sol in Tucson. Make it a weekend and gather for a group golf day at Casino Del Sol. A special discount rate will be available to make a weekend of fun with golf, a reception and the trap shoot.

This is a great event to be a part of to expanding your network, meet new people, market your products or services and expand your company exposure through your support of a sponsorship level.

Don't delay, save the date and register today to secure your spot. Grab some friends, family or colleagues and join us on April 5,2025. Early registration ends March 15th.

Support Arizona FFA with each order through Walmart.com or the Walmart app, by making the Arizona FFA Foundation your preferred charity, when signed into your account. Then just check the "round up" box with each order at checkout.

The Foundation is an approved charity for the Fry's Community Rewards Program. If you do not already have a charity tied to your rewards card, or do not have a rewards card set up, it is easy to establish.

Visit https://www.frysfood.com. Once logged into your Fry's account, you can search for The Arizona Agricultural Education FFA Foundation, either by name or RS160, and then click enroll. New users will need to create an account, which requires some basic information, a valid email address, and a rewards card. Each time you shop using your Fry's Rewards card, after you have attached us as your charity, then we will receive benefits.