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About Tom Brand

Tom Brand is the director of the St. Joseph Community Alliance, a collaborative group in St. Joseph, Missouri, focused on addressing community challenges and promoting economic growth and quality of life. Tom grew up on a diversified family livestock and grain farm near Hopkins, Missouri, and has been immersed in agriculture his entire life. He attended the University of Missouri—Columbia, focusing on general agriculture with an emphasis on communications. Tom began his career in farm broadcasting at the Brownfield Network, then moved to KMA radio in Shenandoah, Iowa, and KFEQ radio in St. Joseph, Missouri. After a 19-year career in farm broadcasting, he became the Executive Director for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) in 2011. Tom's experience with the National FFA dates back to his time as a member in high school, and continued when he served as a FFA Convention intern as a freshman in college. When he became a farm broadcaster, he continued to assist at the National FFA Convention, serving as a liaison between FFA and farm broadcasters. He has served in the FFA newsroom since 1990. Tom and his wife, Beth, have four children, a son-in-law, two grandsons, a granddaughter, and three dogs. They enjoy visiting the family farm and have called St. Joseph home for over 27 years

Retiring Address: Grant Norfleet

2023-24 National FFA Secretary Grant Norfleet delivered his retiring address to FFA members and guests at Session 2 of the National FFA Convention and Expo. Click the player below to listen to his speech, "Life's Real Passengers." (Download)

By |2024-11-04T13:17:17-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Service-Learning Proficiency – Hayley Ann Hines

Hayley Ann Hines runs a food pantry at her school for students in need. In 2023, she collected $3,500 in non-perishable donations and over $13,000 in financial contributions for the pantry. Hines used grant funding to raise chickens and pigs, and the meat was used as a protein source for the pantry. Hines is a member of the Paola FFA Chapter in Kansas, and her FFA advisors are John Menefee and Thomas Schull. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:17:34-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Agricultural Services Proficiency – Jeremy Eaton

Jeremy Eaton works for a company that offers agriculture-related services by providing custom forage crop harvesting, including cutting, raking, baling and hauling hay. Eaton is responsible for operating a variety of equipment and interacting with hay producers. Eaton is a member of the Galt FFA Chapter in California, and his FFA advisors are Carl Wright, Derek Silva, Jordan Albiani and Patrick MacDonald. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:17:44-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Agriscience Research-Integrated Systems Proficiency – Trinity Blosch

Trinity Blosch has a Supervised Agricultural Experience involving five years of research on social, environmental, and food systems. Over the years, Blosch has significantly progressed in the complexity of her projects. Her research has included evaluating consumer and student knowledge about food and agriculture and testing bioremediation products used in contaminated fresh water. Blosch is a member of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma, and her FFA advisors are Bailey Kliewer, Carl Nipper, and Robby Branscum. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:18:03-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Agricultural Sales Placement Proficiency – Jack Schuster

Jack Schuster excelled in his Supervised Agricultural Experience working for the local Ace Hardware store. Schuster was made head of the paint department and promoted to storewide assistant manager due to his drive and dedication to learning about all aspects of the store. Schuster gained leadership skills through training and managing employees, as well as business skills such as invoicing and sales. Schuster is a member of the Marshall FFA Chapter in Wisconsin, and his FFA advisor is Paula Bakken. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:18:12-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship Proficiency – Gracie Sprague

Gracie Sprague is a supplement dealer selling three products for eight different livestock species. Sprague has learned to operate independently and is responsible for ordering inventory and monitoring sales, customer communication, marketing, and more. Primarily serving livestock exhibitors as customers, Sprague has also served as a mentor and teacher to young people in the industry.  Sprague is a member of the Genoa-Penta FFA Chapter in Ohio, and her FFA advisor is Tricia Schoen. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:18:25-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Agricultural Education Proficiency – Sophia Gomes

Sophia Gomes has focused her Supervised Agricultural Experience projects on building skills for her future as a middle school agriculture teacher. Through internships with the International Agri-Center and the local University of California extension office, an ambassadorship on the California Milk Advisory Board, and as a facilitator for California FFA Greenhand Leadership Conferences, she has gained experience developing lessons, working with young students in classrooms, and delivering content through virtual and in-person presentations. Gomes is a member of the Tulare FFA Chapter in California, and her FFA advisors are Patrick Mederos, Jared Castle, Samantha Day and Jonathan Woodard. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:18:34-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Agricultural Communications Proficiency – Titus Montgomery

Titus has a weekly radio report called the Southeast Oklahoma Ag Report, which can be heard three times each weekday on The Mix 93.1 FM. Montgomery also started a podcast, “Brag on Ag,” which he produces on his own and is published on all major podcast listening apps. His Supervised Agricultural Experiences have provided him with skills in radio programming and production, advocacy and research, public speaking and writing, and even merchandising. Montgomery is a member of the Red Oak FFA Chapter in Oklahoma, and his FFA advisors are Troy Walker and Leland Walker. Listen to the audio from the interview (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:18:43-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|

Keynote Speaker Kevin Wanzer

Keynote speaker Kevin Wanzer helped kick off the first general session of the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo, encouraging members to engage others with love. Listen to his speech by clicking the player below (Download).

By |2024-11-04T13:19:20-05:00October 24th, 2024|Categories: Convention Audio|
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