Colorado FFA AssociationColorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers AssociationColorado FFA Foundation

CVATA/ FFA HEIFER WRANGLE CONTEST

Updated 9/2014

  1. Participants will be selected from electronic applications submitted by the due date of November 15. (There is no catch at the NWSS.) The applicant must be a first or second year member in a Colorado Agriculture Education program and be an active member of that FFA chapter.
  2. Each participant must agree to exhibit their heifer at the next Colorado State Fair.
  3. It is agreed and understood the ownership of the heifer shall be in the name of the student.
  4. The Colorado FFA Foundation will issue a check to the student in January during the NWSS meeting.The participant, along with their FFA advisor, and parents, have until March 1st following the selection of participants to select a heifer at least 12 months of age of their choice. The heifer is to be weighed March, May and July to monitor growth. Those weights are to be passed on to sponsors and committee members.
  5. The participants are required to write one letter by the tenth of each month beginning in February until the second state convention in June when they complete their exit interview. The participant will write a letter every month and send a copy to the sponsor, and email copies to the following CVATA Fairs and Show Committee, and the Colorado FFA Foundation, c/o Don Thorn. This letter should be in the form of a progress report on the heifer. One copy of each letter must be on file with the chapter advisor. Each participant will receive their sponsors name and address at the NWSS.
  6. The local FFA advisor and/ or Parents must be present at the Colorado State Fair to assist the participant with exhibiting the heifer.
  7. Participants will be required to provide a copy of their AET record book and personal scrapbook to be reviewed by the CVATA Fairs and Shows Committee at two State FFA Conventions and Colorado State Fair. The personal scrapbook of the heifer wrangle project should include copies of letters to sponsors from the student and advisor, photographs, ribbons and awards, health certificates, registration information, weight/ scale tickets and any other important papers or events.
  8. The CVATA Fairs and Shows Committee reserve the right to inspect the heifers at any time.
  9. All participants must continue to be enrolled in agriculture education after the heifer is selected and before the heifer calves. Should student not continue to be in a Colorado Ag Ed program or are not in good standings within the Colorado FFA Association or Colorado 4H program the student will be considered in violation of the program requirements and asked to return or reimburse to the Colorado FFA Foundation the Heifer Wrangle award amount of $1500.

ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Quarterly reports and photos documenting progress and visitations.
  • Communicate with committee
  • Guide student in selection, breeding, calving, as well as making sure it is a valid learning experience.
  • Assure delivery of record book and scrapbook to State Fair and Convention.
  • Assure that the participant has entered the Colorado State Fair.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES (Please initial beside each point indicating your understanding of responsibility)

  • Show heifer in their local county fair and the designated show at the Colorado State Fair.
  • Write and send monthly letters and pictures to sponsor by the 10th of each month:

a. Copy to the sponsor

b. Copy to the CVATA Fairs and Shows Committee Chairman of Heifer Wrangle

  1. Copy to Colorado FFA Foundation, c/o Don Thorn
  2. Copy for your local FFA advisors records

e. One copy for your Scrapbook

f. Heifer’s breeder—optional

  • Arrange for the heifer to be bred with the assistance of your local FFA advisor.
  • Weigh heifers during the following months; March, May, July and send copies of scale or weigh tickets to CVATA Fairs and shows committee Heifer Wrangle chair. Keep additional copies for scrapbook.
  • Keep an accurate AET record book and a scrapbook of the heifer wrangle project. (Reviewed by Fairs and Shows committee at State Fair and 2 State Conventions during the program years you were selected.)
  • Provide for and BE INVOLVED in the proper humane care and treatment of the heifer.
  • All 1st and 2nd year heifer wrangle participants will be required to attend the State FFA Conventions during their program years to be interviewed by Fairs and Shows Committee members.

COMMITTEE MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Correspond with the heifer recipients, advisors and sponsors.

  1. Assist the local advisor in assuring that the project is a valid learning experience.
  2. Conduct reviews and interviews of the students and records at State Conventions and Colorado State Fair
  3. Evaluate and advise to ensure and implement the rules of the FFA/CVATA Heifer Wrangle. As printed in the Heifer Wrangle Rules and Premium book of the Colorado State Fair.

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO WRITE LETTERS TO SPONSORS

By the 10th of each month, you will write your heifer sponsor a letter, which should be in the form of a progress report on the heifer. A copy of this letter must also be sent to: CVATA Fairs and Shows, CCCS - Ag Ed - Administrative Assistant, and your FFA advisor. A letter to the breeder of your heifer would also be very acceptable.

A few suggestions for the contents of the letters follow:

  1. In your first letter, express your thanks and appreciation for the sponsor’s interest in the program and the help they are giving you in getting started in the livestock business. Send a photo of yourself and the heifer on the day you pick her up. This picture will begin the bond that will form between you and the sponsor.
  2. Explain the first few days with your heifer, including the halter breaking process.
  3. Indicate rations being fed, pasture, grain, hay, etc.
  4. Indicate growth of animal in pounds. If you have no scale, estimate weight.
  5. Describe any unusual happenings such as the sickness of the animal, etc.
  6. Describe good management practices being followed in the raising of this heifer.
  7. Include any prizes won at any fairs or shows.
  8. Include interesting activities of your FFA chapter or Agricultural Education classes
  9. Describe interesting incidents that have happened to you such as being on an FFA judging team, making the honor roll in school, any sports you are involved in, etc.
  10. Remember that the success of this program will depend a great deal on the impression you make on the sponsor through these reports. Your letter may be informal, but should always be courteous and show appreciation for the help our sponsor is giving you in getting started in a breeding program.
  11. Please have your FFA advisor read each letter before you mail it. The letters should show proper use of grammar as well as interesting to the sponsor.

Addresses:

Colorado FFA Foundation

P. O. Box 1000

Greeley, CO 80632

See CVATA Fairs and Shows Committee list at end of application for current address of Chairman of Heifer Wrangle.

Colorado FFA Heifer Wrangle Application

Applicant NameHome Address

Home PhoneEmail Address

Describe why you should be chosen for the FFA Heifer Wrangle:

Click here to enter text.

Describe the Time Investment to your SAE:

Click here to enter text.

Describe the Financial Investment to your SAE:

Click here to enter text.

Describe the Capital Investment to your SAE:

Click here to enter text.

Describe the Learning Outcomes and/or goals for your SAE:

Click here to enter text.

Please include a projected budget from the AET recordbook.

Steps to complete budget.

  1. Add new SAE, title it “Heifer Wrangle”(you can change the name if chosen)
  2. Once added you can develop a budget by clicking the “budget” link.
  3. Print directly from that page using your browser.

Attach a letter from a parent in support of you applying for the selected FFA program.

I have read the rules to the above selected program and agree to abide by those rules if selected. I have also initialed the student responsibilities above in the Program Requirements.

Student Signature: ______

Parent Signature: ______

Advisor Signature: ______

Heifer Wrangle/ SAE Grant selection rubric
The following items are present and completed: ( 5 points possible)
Checklist (10pts) / Parent Letter / Budget / Pictures/ if applicable / Points possible
Advisor and student
Rate the following on a scale of 1 -10 points based on the quality of writing and if the question was
answered according to the prompt. 10 points being the best.
NEED FOR SAE/ HEIFER WRANGLE:
Member shows a distinct need for the program award based on financial, strong desire, or unique circumstance. Member shows a clear and concise reasoning in their answer. Member explains what they will do with award money and gives a brief description of planned SAE. / Points possible
Time Investment:
Member is very concise and realistic in their determination of time needed to invest in the program. Also includes time needed to plan, implement, manage and care for the animals. Includes time for the clerical elements included in the program requirements. / Points possible
Financial Investment:
Provides a brief summary of the estimated budget. Includes estimated costs to purchase the animals and estimated expenses that will incur during the program along with the source of the funds. / Points possible
Capital Investment:
Member describes the Capital Items that they own along with describing any use of existing Capital Items that are not owned by the student but used for their program. If they are leased/ rented that arrangement is stated and explained. / Points possible
Learning Outcomes/ Goals:
Member lists at least three learning outcomes that are related to the Program type. Member lists at least three goals that can be identified as "SMART" goals. / Points possible
TOTAL POINTS EARNED:

Advisor Checklist

Advisor must fill out the following check list in order for the application to be complete.

Advisor Responsibilities Include:

  1. Complete Checklist
  2. Assuring Member is in good standings at time of application and throughout program
  3. Sign the application
  4. Complete quarterly letters
  5. Provide Picture of Facilities to be used for student SAE
  6. Additional items may be present in complete program details.

Please complete the following checklist.

Member is in Good standings

Member is a 1st or 2nd year member

Member has 2.0 or higher GPA

Counselor Signature: ______

Do you feel the member has adequate financing to support the Heifer Wrangle Program?

Does the student have adequate facilities to support the Heifer Wrangle Program? Please include a picture of facilities

Application is complete

Advisor Signature: ______

2014-2015 CVATA Fairs and Shows Committee Members

______

Richard Gekeler-Fairs and Shows Chairman and Ag Mech Chairman

Kit Carson High School

102 5th Ave., P. O. Box 185

Kit Carson, CO 80825

School: (719)962-3219Cell: (719)529-0734

______

Mr. Kevin Alm- Heifer Wrangle Chairman

Flagler High School.

421 Julian Avenue.

Flagler, CO 80815

School Phone:(719)765-4684 Cell: (719)688-9375

______

Michael Forster- SAE Grant Chairman

Peetz High School

P. O. Box 39, 311 Coleman Ave

Peetz, CO 80747

School: (970)334-2456 Cell: (970)520-6752

______

Emily Fickbohm

Deer Trail High School

350 Second Avenue

PO Box 129

Deer Trail, CO 80105

School: (303)769-4421Cell: (970)222-0461

______

Rheanna Melcher

Walsh High School

301 N. California St.

Walsh CO, 81090

School: (719)324-5221Cell: (719)353-2582