Serving the Needs of Agricultural Education and FFA in Iowa.

33rd Annual Iowa FFA Alumni Conference

Saturday, February 11, 2006

“Advocates for Agricultural Education”

Sponsored by: The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit Services of America,

& Linn Co-op Oil Co. through the Iowa FFA Foundation

President Carl Horne called the 2006 annual FFA Alumni conference to order at 1:25pm on Saturday February 11, 2006 at the Iowa FFA display building in Des Moines, Iowa. Guest present include the Senator Jeff Lamberti, Iowa FFA Advisor Dale Gruis, Iowa FFA Executive Secretary/Treasurer Alan Spencer, Iowa FFA Foundation Executive Director Wayne Nattress, the Iowa FFA State Officer team and 68 Iowa FFA Alumni members representing 14 affiliates.

Joshua Remington, Iowa FFA Alumni Executive Treasurer presented the minutes of the 2005 annual FFA Alumni conference and moved to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Joshua then presented the 2005 financial summary (Attached) and moved to accept the report as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Joshua then presented the 2005 membership summary (Attached) and moved to accept report as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Iowa FFA Foundation Executive Director Wayne Nattress presented a report on the status of the Foundation. Mr. Nattress highlighted the need for Alumni members to support the FFA Foundation through such programs as Sharing with Pride. He also discussed the progress of the capital campaign for the Iowa FFA Enrichment Center. In closing, Mr. Nattress showed a video produced by the Monsanto Company discussing individuals doing their part to support FFA.

Following the Foundation report, Mr. Dale Gruis presented the 2005 Iowa FFA Annual report. The successes of FFA students in the state of Iowa continue to grow and now we have actual physical testing data to prove the results. Mr. Gruis discussed how students enrolled in agricultural education have increased test scores in math and science.

The theme of the 33rd annual Iowa FFA Alumni conference was “Advocates for Agricultural Education,” which was highlighted by the first workshop of the day. Senator Jeff Lamberti discussed his views on how to interact with the Iowa legislature. In his opinion, “Iowa has the most open legislature in the country. You simply need to contact them!” He described the preferred methods of contact, highlighting the value of e-mail as his and most of his colleagues’ favorite. Immediately following his presentation Senator Lamberti was presented with an Iowa Special Service award in appreciation of his support of agriculture in Iowa.

Brief announcements were made and members present broke to enjoy refreshment sponsored by Linn Co-op Oil Co., heard musical entertainment provided by Mr. Brian Lantz and perused the Silent Auction.

Following the break, Allison Classen of the Hawkeye FFA chapter of Westbend and Jacob Hunter of the DeWitt Central FFA chapter presented reports on their Iowa FFA Alumni sponsored trips to Washington DC for the Washington Leadership Conference. Alumni President Carl Horne then thanked our conference sponsors the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Credit Services of America for their generous support. Carl announced the Local Leaders Conference, a conference to be provided by the Iowa FFA Alumni Association to assist its member’s network, share successful ideas and assist to create the strategic vision for the Iowa FFA Alumni Association.

For the second workshop of the conference, Joshua Remington presented a workshop on volunteerism with the assistance of Sue Reissleman as Ms. Fernie Fargle Applegate. This workshop was provided through a CD produced by the National FFA Alumni Association. Joshua discussed tips to encourage, recruit and maintain volunteers as a vital resource to any agricultural education program.

President Carl Horne then called the delegate meeting to order and presented four resolutions to amend the Iowa FFA Alumni Bylaws on behalf of the Iowa FFA Alumni Board of Directors. These resolutions included, membership rights, requirements for residency for the Iowa FFA Alumni Board of Directors, establishing an Iowa FFA Alumni Advisor, and establishing an Iowa FFA Alumni Executive Director. Each of these resolutions passes by majority. Immediately following the nominating committee presented its final ballot and election of the 2006 Iowa FFA Alumni Board of Directors occurred. Results were as follows.

President-Elect& N.E. District Rep: Milt Luckstead Sr.

N.C. District Rep: Clyde Johnson

N.W. District Rep: Shamus Brown

S.E. District Rep: Vacant

S.C. District Rep: Rick Little

S.W. District Rep: Tim Bauer

At-Large Rep: Ann Bassett

At-Large Rep: Roger Schonhorst

*2005 President-Elect Wendell Zimmerman will serve as 2006 Iowa FFA Alumni President.

As elections were completed, districts were dismissed to supper from Fazoli’s. During supper, the video “Celebrating What’s Right with the World” with Dewitt Jones. This video described taking each moment we have to think about what truly is important and how to develop a vision and create a drive to achieve your goals.

The live auction followed supper and with special guest auctioneers, Iowa FFA President Shamus Brown and Iowa FFA S.W. District Vice President Matt Dolch. During the Auction the 2006 Iowa FFA Alumni Basket Contest winners were announced, Peoples Choice Award winner was the Hawkeye FFA Alumni of Westbend and Presidents Choice Award winner was Bauer Family Farms of Carroll, each received a $50 check for their achievement. Also during the auction, the Iowa FFA State Officer introduced themselves and assisted with distributing purchased auction items.

Next, the 2005 Iowa FFA Alumni Board of Directors presented the 2005 Awards Pageant. It was announced there were no scrapbooks entered into the scrapbook competition. Anderson Erickson Dairy and Fareway Store #9091 (Ankeny) were awarded with Distinguished Contributor Awards for their exceptional and continued assistance with the ice cream social prior to the state fair. Dr. Jim Wand also was awarded as a Distinguished Contributor for his generous donation of service for the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference Student Entertainment Night.

Doug Kurt of the Cascade FFA Alumni Affiliate was awarded with the Iowa FFA Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award for his untiring support of FFA and agricultural education. Sonny Deke was awarded the Special Service to the Iowa FFA Alumni Association, for representing Iowa and serving the National FFA Alumni Association as National FFA Alumni President. Carl Horne was also awarded the Special Service to the Iowa FFA Alumni Association for his service as 2005-2006 Iowa FFA Alumni President. Joshua Remington was awarded the Exceptional Service Award for his three years of service as At-Large Representative, Executive Treasurer, and Membership Coordinator of the Iowa FFA Alumni Association.

The 2006 Iowa FFA Alumni Hall of Fame Recipient was Mr. and Mrs. Dale and Cynthy Spencer of the Villisca FFA Alumni Affiliate. Dale was honored with this award for his 24 years as an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor, 7 years of service to the Iowa Western Community College as instructor for Veterans Agriculture Classes and numerous years serving both the IAAE and the Iowa FFA Alumni Association as a Director on their Board. Cynthy’s untiring support of agricultural education truly embodies the vision of the Iowa FFA Alumni Association. She spent countless hours securing the promise of agricultural education by chaperoning, judging, and assisting in any capacity possible. Not only were Mr. and Mrs. Spencer active within ag. ed. they also participated in numerous activities in their community.

In conclusion retiring President Carl Horne congratulated, the Spencer’s and provided brief remarks on the direction of our organization. Upon completion of his remarks, Carl passed the gavel and installed Wendell Zimmerman as 2006 Iowa FFA Alumni President. Brief announcements were made and the 33rd annual Iowa FFA Alumni conference was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted: Joshua C. Remington