Student Organization Spotlight: Collegiate FFA Experiences Big E!

For many, the end of September means fall is on the way and we can start pulling out those comfy sweaters. For FFA members in the Eastern Region, September brings another opportunity to pull out their blue corduroy jackets.

The Big E, also known as The Eastern States Exposition and “New England’s Great State Fair,” is the largest agricultural event in the east and America’s fifth-largest fair. This fair is held in West Springfield, MA every September. Two days of the seventeen day fair are dedicated as “FFA Days” and consist of career development events and banquets. FFA members from 20 states across the eastern part of the U.S. participate in this event on a yearly basis. For most career development events, teams that receive second place at the state level come to compete at the Big E.

For many years, Penn State Collegiate FFA has traveled to West Springfield to assist with preparation and facilitation of several CDEs. This year, we had a wonderful group of eight that represented CFFA and Penn State. On Friday, we assisted with the Extemporaneous Speaking, and Vet Science CDEs. On Saturday, we assisted supervisors with the Poultry, Environmental and Natural Resources, and Food Science CDEs.

For many of the participants, this was their first time traveling with our organization and to the Big E. It is always exciting to see how people react to being on the other side of the table. Competing and judging are two entirely different experiences, and most do not realize the difficulties, yet joys that comes with judging teams and individuals.

At the end of each experience we encouraged a reflective conversation as we all came back together as a group to share what we encountered that day. It was wonderful to see the interactions between our members. We become closer than ever, sharing stories, laughing together, and making memories.

I think that there is something that everyone can take away from this trip. For me, this was my last time traveling with Collegiate FFA to Big E. I went as a high schooler and now four years with CFFA. Every year is similar, but there are always new memories and experiences. Whether it was getting lost and having to turn around too many times to count, attempting to shout out a license plate before the other team gets it, realizing that Pennsylvania is indeed one of the thirteen colonies, discovering that it is important to read your email closely so you know exactly what you are signing up for, and discovering new facts about each other. All these memories were made through this last experience.

To those of you that have never traveled with CFFA before, I highly recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity before you graduate. Not only is it a resume builder, but it is one weekend that you will remember for years to come. 

To learn more about Penn State Collegiate FFA events and activities, like us on Facebook!

Mikaela Hermstedt

Guest Blogger

2016 PSU Collegiate FFA, President

"Oh the Places You'll Go!" Celebrating a Year of Accomplishments #studentsucess

"Oh The Places You'll Go, Today is your day. You're Off to great places your off and away..."  These famous Dr. Seuss lines are perfect for both endings and new beginnings.  It is that time of year, where classes are coming to an end and graduation is right around the corner, a time to celebrate and reflect.  This week  Teach Ag! Society, Collegiate FFA, and the Center for Professional Personnel Development all came together to recognize club accomplishments and say good-bye to graduating members at the 80th Annual Banquet.  Not only was it a time to remember the year's accomplishments and say good-bye to our 2016 student teachers and a new beginning as the 2017 student teachers rise to become seniors. 

Mr. Cliff Day receiving an award and recognition at the banquet!

The guests in attendance from Pennsylvania FFA and the Agriculture community at Penn State made the banquet a success. The Center of Professional Personnel Development recognized Mr. Cliff Day for over 40 years of service to Pennsylvania Agricultural Education, in his role at the FFA Facilitator and as an Agriculture Teacher!  We wish him well in his retirement and a sincere congratulations in all his accomplishments and years of service!

 We had the opportunity from hearing from a leader in agriculture, our keynote speaker Mr. Scott Sheely.   Mr. Sheely is the Special Assistant for Workforce Development at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and resides in Lancaster County.  He challenged us as agricultural educators that are the next generation of agriculturalist and those that will prepare the next generation of agriculturalists.    He concluded by encouraging us to take advantage of opportunities and the turns that they make take in agriculture and beyond. 

Following the keynote, there were awards that were presented to special people nominated by Teach Ag! Society and Collegiate FFA for having accomplishments in the agriculture education career, in the agriculture industry, and being an outstanding member in Teach Ag! Society and Collegiate FFA. Those people that were selected for at award are outlined below!

Diane Glock-Cornman

Educator of the Year Award

Teacher at Penn Manor High School

 Matthew Snyder

Outstanding Teach Ag! Member of the Year Award

2017 Student Teacher

CHS Inc.

Teach Ag! Valued Partner of the Year

Collegiate FFA Senior Award

Katie Andrews
2016 Student Teacher 

Collegiate FFA Outstanding Freshman

Hunter Kauffman

Collegiate FFA Outstanding Junior AwardMikaela Hermstedt

Alpha Tau Alpha Honorary Agricultural Education Fraternity Initiates

We finished the night by celebrating our graduating seniors, the 2016 teacher candidates!  Best of luck to all of you, congratulations on completing your student teaching experience and enjoy graduation!  "Your mountain is students are waiting, so get on your way." 

Congratulations Seniors!  

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

Kayla Hack 

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher



End of the Year Banquet: That's a Wrap! #studentsuccess

As our year comes to a close, there is always that “bittersweet” feeling in the air that never seems to go away no matter how many years pass by. Not only is it a time to remember the years accomplishments and say good-bye to our 2015 student teachers (soon to be alumni!), but it is time for a new beginning as the 2016 student teachers rise to become seniors. Last night, Teach Ag! Society, Collegiate FFA, and Collegiate 4-H, all came together to recognize club accomplishments and say good-bye to their graduating members in their clubs.

As the night started, we were fortunate enough to have several guests and attendants come celebrate our Penn State student success. In the crowd, was our keynote speaker Mr. Bill Fleet. Bill has had several accomplishments in and out of the agriculture industry and is even a Penn State Alumni! His speech was based on how teachers make an impact everyday on our student’s lives. After his speech concluded, every single person in that room, teacher or not, was effected by his kind words.

Following the keynote, there were awards that were presented to special people that were nominated by Teach Ag! Society of having accomplishments in the agriculture education career, in the agriculture industry, and being an outstanding member in Teach Ag! Society. Those people that were selected for at award are outlined below!

Jessica Morgan

Educator of the Year Award

Teacher at Juniata High School

Samantha Sessamen

Outstanding Teach Ag! Member 

of the Year Award

2016 Student Teacher 

As the banquet awards were passed out, pictures were taken, and the night was coming to a close, there was a special video that was created just for the seniors! If you would like to view the video check it out below!

Overall it was a memorable night for the seniors and all that were in attendance!

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

Olivia Murphy-Sweet

Blog Editor

2016 Student Teacher

@OSweetMuph



PSU 2014 Collegiate FFA Student Recognition

The purpose of the Collegiate FFA is to develop competent and effective leadership, create an interest in occupations dealing with the food, fiber, and natural resource systems, and develop a network of friendships and professional relationships that will carry through and assist the members after college. Each year the Penn State Collegiate FFA could not be successful without the hard work of its members! At the 2014 annual awards banquet, the collegiate FFA recognized many members who went above and beyond to help the chapter succeed!

Winners had to go through an application process that included descriptions of all the activities they participated in and an essay on why they feel they are deserving of the award. Each application is viewed by the selection committee made up of the advisor (Dr. John Ewing) and two other qualified adults.

This year’s winners are:

Bryanna Kenno (@bkenno4), a 2015 student teacher, stated “It was an honor to win outstanding junior this year! It’s so nice to know that your hard work does not go unnoticed. It was exciting to get recognized for something I am so passionate about!”

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

Laura Metrick
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher
@Its_LauraBeth