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Happy New Year from NAAE!

Greetings! I am Bill Newsom, and I am serving as your newly elected NAAE President.


Let me begin by offering a heartfelt thanks to Eric Tilleman for the outstanding job he has done as your president the past year. He definitely left me some big shoes to fill.


Here’s a little about myself. I am a high school agricultural educator in Munford, Tennessee. This is my 49th year teaching agricultural education. Yes, you read that correctly – my 49th year. In the words of the country singer Kenny Chesney, “Don’t blink. It goes faster than you think….” I taught for 32 years in a single-teacher department, and for the last 17 years, I’ve been in a multi-teacher environment.


I am honored to call myself an ag teacher, and I wear that title with pride. A “show pig clipping, school bus driving, arc welding, CDE/LDE coaching, leadership camp attending agriculture teacher.” I hope that you’re also proud to be part of this profession.


I am delighted to report that our organization is in great shape, but as I often tell my students, “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.” One area I’d love to see improved is membership. Although we have almost 10,000 members, there are more than 13,000 agricultural educators nationwide. If you know teachers who are not members, encourage them to join. We need them!


I look forward to serving you in 2025, and I won’t let you down!  


Bill Newsom

2024-2025 NAAE President

NAAE Facilitator Training Academy

NAAE facilitators from across the nation met January 17-18 in Lexington, Kentucky to engage in facilitator preparation for NAAE programs. NAAE Facilitators engaged in teamwork practices, content creation, and refined their facilitation skillsets. 


Our facilitators are trained to lead various NAAE professional development events such as the Future Agriscience Teacher Symposium, Agriscience Inquiry Institutes, the eXcellence in Leadership for Retention (XLR8), Teachers Turn the Key, and other professional development offered through NAAE. The 2025 NAAE Facilitator Training Academy was presented by NAAE mentor facilitators and Oregon agricultural educators J.D. Cant and Wes Crawford.

Matthew Barnhill, NC

Wes Crawford, OR


Bibianna Gifft, OR

Jessica Grundy, UT

Jeremy Hall, KY

Desi Severance, ND

Brian Welch, KY

Join us for the 2025 Ag Ed Strand at National Policy Seminar

March 16-19, 2025 - Arlington, Virginia


NAAE is planning an agricultural education track as part of the upcoming 2025 ACTE National Policy Seminar (NPS). The ACTE NPS provides an excellent opportunity to learn the basics of influencing federal decision makers, specifically on legislation related to career and technical education, including agricultural education.


To emphasize the importance of NPS and to encourage more participation from NAAE members, NAAE will be paying the registration fee of one NAAE member per state to attend and participate in NPS. Each participant will be responsible for his/her own travel, lodging, meals, and incidental costs. We encourage state agricultural education associations to assist with the travel, lodging, and per diem costs.


Registration for the Ag Ed Strand at National Policy Seminar is now open and closes February 15, 2025. Visit our website to apply!

2025 Ag Ed Strand at National Policy Seminar Webpage 

Save the Date for the 2025 NAAE Regional Conferences

Join us for the 2025 NAAE Regional Conferences! Attending a regional conference is great way to connect with other agricultural educators, get involved in our organization and stay up to date on the latest news, events, and professional opportunities in NAAE. For the most up to date information, visit our website linked below.

Region I Conference

April 15-18, 2025

Bend, Oregon


Region II Conference

June 16-19, 2025

Corpus Christi, Texas


Region III Conference

June 16-19, 2025

Morningside University

Sioux City, Iowa

Region IV Conference

June 23-25, 2025

Gaylord, Michigan


Region V Conference

June 8-11, 2025

Hattiesburg, Mississippi


Region VI Conference

March 21-23, 2025

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

2025 NAAE Regional Conferences

Save the Date for the 2025 NAAE Convention!

We're heading to Nashville! We can't wait to see you next year at the 2025 NAAE Convention, held December 9-13 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee! #NAAE25

2025 NAAE Awards and Scholarships

NAAE maintains an extensive awards program to recognize the accomplishments of our many talented and dedicated members. We have awards for agricultural educators in every stage of their careers, from scholarships to lifetime achievement.


Applications and information related to the 2025 NAAE Awards, featuring revamped categories and criteria, are now live on our website. All award updates and changes will go into effect in 2025. The online submission link for the 2025 NAAE Awards and Scholarships program will open Monday, February 3, 2025.

NAAE Awards and Scholarships

National FFA Committee All Call

National FFA is seeking applicants to serve as committee members for its Awards Programs and Career and Leadership Development Events. Please see below for additional information about this opportunity.  

 

Submit your application using this link. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 12. For additional information about the open committee positions or questions, please contact us at cde@ffa.org. Feel free to share with those interested in serving in this capacity. 

 

CDE/LDE Committee Information: 


Awards Programs Committee Information: 

Calendar


January 21, 2025 - Financial Review Committee Meeting (Virtual)


January 22, 2025 - Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition Committee Meeting (Virtual)


January 27, 2025 - NAAE Committee Leadership Training (Virtual)


February 15, 2025 - Ag Ed Strand at ACTE National Policy Seminar Registration Closes


March 16-19, 2025 - Ag Ed Strand at ACTE National Policy Seminar in Arlington, Virginia


March 21-23, 2025 - Region VI Conference in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania


April 15-18, 2025 - Region I Conference in Bend, Oregon


May 15, 2025 - NAAE Awards Applications Due


June 8-11, 2025 - Region V Conference in Hattiesburg, Mississippi


June 15-19, 2025 - Region II Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas


June 16-19, 2025 - Region III Conference at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa


June 23-25, 2025 - Region IV Conference in Gaylord, Michigan


December 9-13, 2025 - NAAE Convention and ACTE CareerTech VISION in Nashville, Tennessee

The National Association of Agricultural Educators is a federation of state agricultural educators' associations with more than 9,500 members. NAAE members are involved in school-based agricultural education at any level, from middle school through postsecondary, and state and national agricultural education leadership.


NAAE is committed to advancing, in our organization and communities, inclusion, diversity and equity. The choice to create a just and equitable organization is not accidental. We intentionally prioritize fostering an inclusive environment that ensures people are respected and valued. We are committed to creating and supporting programs and policies that build an organization that values open communication and is respectful of differences.

National Association of Agricultural Educators

www.naae.org | #TeachAg | naae@uky.edu

(859) 967-2892 or (800) 509-0204


You are receiving this email because you are a member of NAAE.

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