Introducing The Council Connection

Welcome to the first edition of The Council Connection!

This e-newsletter will arrive on the first Tuesday of each month and feature updates from The National Council for Agricultural Education (The Council), opportunities for feedback, news on council initiatives, and updates from our partners. The Council serves school-based agricultural education. Since its beginning in December 1983, The Council has provided leadership for stakeholders in agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems education. The Council identifies significant opportunities and needed resources for agricultural education and drives action to support its development and direction, focusing on academic and career success for all students. Some initiatives of The Council include the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE), SAE for All, the National Quality Program Standards, and the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Standards.

We look forward to connecting with you each month.

Council Directors represent the following organizations:

Agricultural Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE)
National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education (NASAE)
National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE)
National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization (PAS)
National FFA Board of Directors
National Farm & Ranch Business Management Education Association (NFRBMEA)
A two-year postsecondary-level instructor selected by the ACTE Agricultural Education Division
An agricultural industry representative selected by The Council
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
National Director for Agricultural Education – ex-officio director
The National FFA Executive Secretary – ex-officio director
The CEO of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) – ex-officio director
The CEO of National FFA – ex-officio director
The President of the National FFA Foundation – ex-officio director

Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE)

New Middle School Curriculum
If you teach middle school agriculture, CASE AgXplore (AgX) is for you! AgX certification events are scheduled year-round. Check them out. Don't see one near you? Apply to host.

CASE Awards
We're celebrating two certified teachers as our 2022 CASE Award Winners this fall in Las Vegas. Will you be one of them? Check out the prize package and apply by Monday, Aug. 15.

THRIVE Group Rate
Gather your fellow career and technical education and agriculture teachers within your district or state and attend THRIVE without leaving home. Apply for the group rate! THRIVE Virtual PD aims to cultivate digital teachers, not just those who are CASE-certified. This week-long event allows you to access materials up to a year after the conference. We're excited to announce keynote Al Thomas from Educopilot! Visit our THRIVE Group and Pre-Service Rate Request Form and check out other THRIVE resources.

National FFA Alumni and Supporters

Development Conferences
Want to learn more about alumni and supporter involvement? Join the last 2022 Remote Development Conference Aug. 1-4 from noon-1 p.m. EDT via Zoom, or register to attend the last 2022 Regional Development Conference in North Carolina Sept. 23-24. For agendas, details and registration information, visit FFA.org/gotordc.

Alumni and Supporter Grants
Chapters and state associations can apply for funding for $500 to start or improve alumni and supporters chapters, including paying annual fees, $1,000 to partner students and adults on a project or $5,000 to fund student affiliation fees and plant science-based projects. The next online grant application deadline is Thursday, Sept. 1. For more information and the link to apply, visit FFA.org/AlumniGrants.

Alumni and Supporter Advisory Committee Applications
The National FFA Alumni and Supporters Advisory Committee is seeking representatives from the Central and Western regions for three-year terms to help improve the future of agriculture. The committee will meet in person twice a year and online bimonthly. Any committee travel will be compensated. Applications should be sent to alumni@ffa.org by Thursday, Sept. 1.

NAAE

Join Us for the 2022 NAAE Convention

Viva, Las Vegas! Registration is now open for the 2022 NAAE Convention in Las Vegas, Nev. The 2022 NAAE Convention schedule is planned so NAAE members can attend sessions at both ACTE CareerTech VISION and the NAAE Convention. NAAE members will pay one registration fee and have full access to both conferences. Register by Monday, Aug. 15, to receive the early bird registration rate. The 2022 NAAE Convention will take place at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Visit our Convention Housing and Travel page for information related to nightly room rates, reservation deadlines, and more.

2022 XLR8 Professional Development Applications Due Sept. 1

We're pleased to accept applications for the 2022 NAAE XLR8 Professional Development Program! XLR8 is a year-long professional development program that targets agriculture teachers in their 7th-15th year of teaching. This program will include participation in an intensive professional development experience (multiple sessions) during the 2022 NAAE Convention, recurring virtual learning experiences and online collaboration. Click here for more information and to access the application.

2022-23 NAAE Membership Year

The 2022-23 NAAE membership year began July 1 and ends June 30, 2023. NAAE is providing an incentive to get your state dues roster to the NAAE office and allow your members full access to the NAAE suite of benefits. States that submit rosters and full payments to NAAE by Thursday, Sept. 1, will receive one complimentary 2022 NAAE Convention registration. The complimentary registration may be used to cover the advance registration for any 2022-23 NAAE member in your state to attend the 2022 NAAE Convention (a $400 value). Rosters must be received by Sept. 1 using the online NAAE roster form and must be at least 80% of the total membership submitted to NAAE for the 2021-22 membership year. Remember, the 2022-23 NAAE active membership dues increased to $65. Visit the NAAE Membership page for dues remission steps or contact Ashley Hood, the NAAE membership coordinator.