Blue & Gold Gala
Sets Three New Records
|
|
The 8th annual Blue & Gold Gala set three new exciting records this year with 756 tickets sold, raising $592,689 and gifting 201 FFA jackets to FFA members!
'I Believe' was the theme this year and attendees took that to heart with the generous contributions provided that night and the support of the live and silent auction.
This year the stage backdrop represented students from 41 chapters as the iconic FFA jackets were proudly displayed. Guests had the opportunity to kick up their heels and enjoy the talent of the Dina Preston Band. We were honored to have Kaylynn Jordan, a senior from the Casa Grande FFA Chapter, singing the National Anthem and Scott Pilchard serving as the emcee for the event.
This year we were thrilled to recognize Bruce Cain as the Blue & Gold Gala Honoree and Nancy Caywood as the Agriculturalist of the Year. Both have made a significant impact for FFA in Arizona. We hope you will visit our blog to read their stories.
The Arizona Association FFA State Officer Team did an excellent job presenting the official FFA opening ceremonies and reciting the FFA creed that provides the core values of FFA.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. We are grateful to the many supporters through the Blue & Gold Gala that help us continue to provide the programs and resources for our youth and agriculture educators.
Thank you to all the auction donors, sponsors, attendees and volunteers for being a part of 'The Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture'!
We are grateful to the Arizona Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Financial Services for serving as the title sponsor for the past 8 years. We are honored to have them continue their title sponsorship for the next two years! Save February 1, 2025 to join us for the 9th annual Blue & Gold Gala at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa!
We hope you will enjoy browsing through the photos from the gala through the two links below!
|
|
Congratulations Alaska Cruise Winner |
|
Congratulations to Scott Van Der Toorn for winning the Blue & Gold Gala Raffle for an amazing Alaska Cruise and two Alaska Airline Vouchers! |
|
Nancy Caywood Receives 2023
Agriculturalist of the Year Award
|
|
The Agriculturalist of the Year is awarded to a member of the agriculture community who has a strong spirit of leadership and has made a significant contribution to Arizona agriculture and the community. The Arizona FFA State Officers make the selection annually from nominations the FFA members and teachers submit from across the state. Nancy Caywood, an outstanding agriculturalist, community service leader and FFA supporter, is the recipient of the 2023 Arizona Association FFA Agriculturalist of the Year award.
Nancy Caywood was born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona. Her grandfather, Lewis Storey, bought his farm (known as the 11-Mile Corner Farm) in 1930 and then gifted it to Nancy’s parents, Tom and Sammie Caywood, in the 1960’s. Her parents were farming near Stanfield and leased her grand parents farm to another farmer. Eventually Nancy’s son took the lease. Her parents gave the 11-Mile Corner farm to her and her sister in 2016 and they are the co-owners. During her childhood she developed a passion for agriculture. Nancy shared “My father instilled my agricultural values in me at a very young age. He was patient and a wonderful teacher and taught me so much about farming.”
|
|
The 10th annual Bustin' Clay for FFA Trap Shoot has a new home and date for 2024!
Join us on April 6th at the Tucson Trap & Skeet Facility for an incredible day to support agriculture education and FFA!
This event has sold out the past few years with 200 participants. We are thrilled to be able to expand the event this year.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
- Double Barrel - Includes one team of 5 and trap sign
- Photography Sponsor
- Signage 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.
This is a great event to be a part of to expand 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 6,2024. Early registration ends March 15th.
|
|
New 96.3 Real Country Feature |
|
We are excited to announce that we will have a monthly feature in the 96.3 Real Country Magazine to highlight the Foundation and FFA in Arizona.
Special thank you to 96.3 Real Country for allowing the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation to partner with them and sharing the FFA story!
We encourage you to view the magazine each month to read the column and all of the other great stories the magazine includes by visiting https://arizonarealcountry.com/.
|
|
95th State FFA Leadership Conference and
Career Fair & Education Expo
|
|
The Arizona FFA Foundation is honored to coordinate the Career & Education Fair during the upcoming State FFA Leadership Conference. The Career Fair will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The 95th State FFA Leadership Conference will be held June 6-8, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. The Westin La Paloma Resort serves as the host hotel for some of the Career and Leadership Development events, the Career Fair and other conference programs. The General Sessions and additional conference functions will be held at the University of Arizona campus.
The conference brings together more than 1,000 students from across Arizona along with parents, donors, alumni, and supporters. The event provides an opportunity for students to expand their leadership opportunities through competitive events, leadership workshops, a Career Fair and much more. Students are recognized through the awards program throughout the conference for their achievements. This event prepares students to become the next generation of leaders.
The Career Fair registration cost is $125 per table for early registration which ends May 15th. Late registration is $175. The Career Fair registration ends May 31, 2024. If you were a sponsor through the Arizona FFA Foundation this past year from July 2023 - May 2024 with a contribution of $2,500 or above level, your Career Fair table space is complimentary.
Support opportunities are also available for the following areas:
- Conference Sessions
- Career & Education Fair Title Sponsor
- Day of Service
- Stars Over Arizona Tours
- FFA Chorus
- Student Dance
- National Chapter Co-Sponsor
- Chapter Display
- State Officer/Parent Dinner
- Teacher Lounge
- Superior Chapter Co-Sponsor
- Conference Photographer
- Courtesy Corp
|
|
Community Service Project Support |
|
The FFA motto is 'Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live and Living to Serve'. FFA students are learning, at a young age, what it means to serve others through community service projects. This year during the State FFA Leadership Conference, students will have an opportunity to participate in the Doghouse Building Activity. Teams will work together to build a doghouse. After building, teams will decorate their doghouse to be the envy of the block.
To enhance the experience, the teams will also engage in a physical activity to earn additional items to include with their Doghouse, such as pet toys, treats and food.
These beautiful doghouses and care packages come into creation only with team collaboration and hard work! Teams create an amazing heartfelt moment as they donate their doghouse full of supplies for families who are thoughtful enough to adopt an animal in need!
We need your help to make sure this community service project can occur and have the lasting impact it will not only make with the students but also the local Tucson community. We hope you will consider supporting the Day of Service Program at the State FFA Leadership Conference.
|
|
As we head into the last few months of the 2023-2024 academic year, we wanted to share an opportunity with you to recognize a 2024 senior.
Honor a High School Senior with a one-time gift to the Arizona FFA Foundation through your donation of $19.28 per High School Senior Arizona FFA member.
The year 1928 is a significant because it was the year when the National FFA Organization was founded.
Each inductee will receive:
- A Senior Society FFA decal
- Recognized by having their name listed in our State FFA Leadership Conference app
- Recognized on screen with the Senior Society list during a conference session
- Listed on the website from spring 2024 until spring 2025.
The deadline to honor a senior is May 1, 2024.
|
|
New Foundation Board Directory Launched |
|
The Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation has launched a new Board of Trustees Directory that is available online to learn more about those serving in a volunteer capacity for the Foundation.
We hope you will take a little time to get to know our Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is made up of 25 individuals, dedicated to ensuring the growth and stability of the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation. We are very grateful for the time, talent and treasure they provide to the Foundation to help us continue our mission.
|
|
|
|
Have you had some thoughts regarding estate planning?
Every single one of these statements below are false:
- I’m too young to do estate planning.
- Estate planning is only for the super-rich.
- Estate planning is complicated and expensive.
- The government will take care of my estate?
- We did our wills 30 years ago so there’s no need for further planning.
Something to consider as we just entered into the 2024 year is how you can revise or establish your estate planning to be prepared for the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
