• Farming is Risky Business (FRB) Platform Fully Available to Texas Ag-Ed Instructors
  Many Ag-Ed instructors have experience with the Farming is Risky Business (FRB) workshops that were developed and (traditionally) delivered by Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) in coordination with the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA). FRB uses interactive farm simulation exercises (games) to introduce beginning producers to risk management concepts and crop insurance fundamentals.  Under a new USDA/RMA partnership, CAS is now supporting delivery of FRB workshops and related course content by Texas Ag-Ed instructors using the FRB Learning Platform found online at www.FRBWeb.com.
  
  Instructors are reminded that FRB content is closely aligned with Federal and State AFNR Career Cluster Content Standards. Further, CAS protects all user information (e.g., names and email addresses), and the FRB platform is never used to offer anything for sale to instructors or participants.  Thanks to USDA sponsorship, the FRB platform is available with no out-of-pocket (or budget) cost to all Texas instructors and/or schools.

  John Mangus, Partner
  Custom Ag Solutions (CAS)
  

  jmangus@casnow.com
  406-698-3770 (mobile)

• Great podcast story on Jay Newton and Vega FFA.

• Clint and Sons will provide your classroom with items you might need - fill out and return this donation form in plenty of time.

•  The Friday Footnote -Focusing on the History of Agricultural Education and Rural America - blog by Dr. Gary Moore with a special entry about Area I FFA!

• Press Kit provided by Texas FFA Foundation - adaptable to local chapters
• CHS Foundation - grants for teachers:  https://www.chsfoundation.org/Teacher-grants
• Farmers for America:  https://www.leaveitbetter.com/farmers-for-america-learn-more
• Farmers for America trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K--AyICRAuY
• Elements of Design lessons (floriculture):  https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fffa.box.com%2Fs%2F6fcg1556dghu4770y7y1suids6ulj6hs/browse/125899632439
• https://aec.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/ag-teachers/ - online resources from the University of Florida
• https://www.mikeroweworks.org/ = Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs" and his support of agriculture, the FFA and vocational classes in public schools

• Documentary- narrated by Mike Rowe- Farmers for America.  We recently got a grant to make the film available to all the FFA chapters in Texas. Here is a link to a trailer for the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K--AyICRAuY&authuser=1 Here's the information to access the documentary and curriculum guide. Password - leavingitbetter2020

•  https://www.naae.org/teachag/ - National Teach Ag Campaign

• http://ffa.cccs.edu/lesson-plans/ - Lesson plans from Colorado FFA Ag Education
• https://www.nass.usda.gov/Data_and_Statistics/index.php - Texas Agriculture Statistics
• http://www.ideas4ag-ed.com/lesson-plans.html - Ag Ed lesson plans & ideas
• http://www.agweb.com/ - News & information about agriculture
• Texas FFA Foundation - www.mytexasffa.org - Information for students and parents
• Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association - www.vatat.org
• Texas FFA Association - www.texasffa.org
• Texas Young Farmers - www.txyoungfarmers.org
• Texas FFA Alumni - www.texasffaalumni.ffanow.org
• Texas Collegiate FFA - www.texascollegiateffa.com
• Texas Education Agency - www.tea.state.tx.us
• Agricultural Consortium of Texas - www.agintexas.org
• National FFA - www.ffa.org
• Grants & Scholarships - www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships
• Quality Counts/Texas Trail - http://qualitycounts.tamu.edu/
• Texas Legislature Online - www.capitol.state.tx.us
• Instructional Materials Service - https://aims.tamu.edu/ - curriculum
• This link is for IMS/TEA and contains lots of useful information concerning Ag courses. I would look closely at the scope and sequences if your school is asking for you to produce those.  http://tea.im.tamu.edu/Home/AFNR.aspx
• Lincoln Electric education resources:  https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/Education
• Meat research by a former FFA member turned meat scientist:  http://momatthemeatcounter.blogspot.com/
• Food Technology - Ideas for labs & classroom

• ---

  When you are going to be out of the classroom for extended periods of time, assign the same thing to every class.  For example, if you are going to National Convention, use the "live feed" and allow your students to virtually be at the convention with you.  Or plan for the "hall of states".
• Create and send out a newsletter.
• In these days of digital everything, have actual hours:  don't answer your phone when you get home.
• Have an extra supply of official dress on hand in your office, including a skirt that is way too big. 
• Use flash cards or Quizzlet for team training.
• Train teams that your kids are interested in -- not just what you like.  They will appreciate your efforts to learn something new.
• Establish expectations from day 1.  It is easier to get easier as the year progresses.

If any of these links are expired or don't work, please copy and email to:  area1ffa@gmail.com.