Helping Communities Grow Community Outreach Program Application Packet

Transcription

1 Helping Communities Grow Community Outreach Program Application Packet The Helping Communities Grow application must be submitted online through the web based application. Chapters can access the application after September 1, 2013 at PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Helping Communities Grow community outreach program rewards FFA chapters for creating hands-on innovative programs to educate and engage their community on plant nutrition, fertilizer, soil science and crop related agricultural issues and the positive and critical role they play in food production. The Helping Communities Grow program is sponsored by the Nutrients for Life Foundation. Founded in 2004, the Foundation provides science-based information to educate people about the valuable role fertilizers play in feeding our growing world. All information developed by the Foundation is based on soil and plant science and supported by agronomists, including those at the International Plant Nutrition Institute. The Foundation s curriculum, Nourishing the Planet in the 21 st Century, was created by the respected Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) in conjunction with educators around the world and has been reviewed by the Smithsonian Institution. PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS 1. Members in each FFA chapter will develop a community-based program using the Nutrients for Life Foundation curriculum, Nourishing the Planet in the 21 st Century, and other Foundation and FFA resources. The project will be presented directly to community members. To order free Nutrients for Life Foundation materials go to: 2. Chapters will select one theme: Nourishing Our World or Keeping the Earth Green. Based on the theme chosen, identify at least one performance area (see page 5 and 6) and build the community outreach program around the theme and performance area. The outreach program should meet the following objectives: a. Communicate the vital role that fertilizers and nutrients play in feeding the world, nourishing plants and the environment, and contributing to the overall well-being to your local community. b. Increase understanding among chapter members of the positive role of plant nutrients and fertilizers. c. Strengthen or create new working relationships between the FFA chapter and local plant health and fertilizer business community. d. Include a science-based element, which can involve, but is not limited to, the Nourishing the Planet in the 21 st Century curriculum (download or order a copy at 1

2 e. Include a user-friendly community communications tool. For example: a brochure, PowerPoint, webpage, recorded radio public service announcement, billboard, educational video or professional informative poster. Applicants will be given 50 MB to upload the resources they created. 3. The Helping Communities Grow application must be submitted online through the web based application. Chapters can access the application after September 1, 2013 at a. Letter of Intent Due Wednesday, November 13, 2013 i. The letter of intent requires the FFA chapter to list their Helping Communities Grow program S.M.A.R.T goals, intended community partners, and how they will use the Nutrients for Life curricula and materials and their intent to complete the program. The FFA chapter has twelve months to create and implement the entire program. For example: If the state deadline is May, then the Chapter has from May 2013 to May 2014 to complete the entire program. b. Community Involvement Plan Due Friday, January 31, 2014 i. Based on the theme the FFA chapter chose; describe how the chapter plans to engage community members in the Helping Communities Grow program. Please keep in mind that the program needs to follow the theme and performance area chosen in the letter of intent. c. Final Application Iowa, Idaho, Nebraska, Ohio Due Friday March 1, 2014 Kansas, Washington Due Friday, April 18, 2014 At-Large, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana Due Friday, May 9, 2014 i. Final project submissions must include: 1. A completed chapter information form, approved by chapter advisor- This form requires basic chapter information. 2. Completion of six essay questions -The questions will allow the FFA members to describe their project and its outcomes. 3. Final timeline of project activities See form on page Supporting documentation showcasing chapter project - All supporting documentation must be submitted with the final application and may include video, photo, and/or audio clips. Other examples include scientific documentation of experimental data collection, growth charts, test observations, and results. These materials should be directly related to the project S.M.A.R.T goals and results. The chapter can upload up to 50 MB of supporting materials for the entire project. 5. Community tool Include a brochure, PowerPoint, webpage, recorded radio public service announcement, or other form of a user-friendly tool that the chapter used to engage and educate the community. Chapters are not limited to the list in the previous sentence; the community tool should be used to help communicate the message or theme of the project. The chapter can upload up to 50 MB of supporting materials for the entire project. 6. Letter of recommendation from community group/organization/related business/ industry person - The letter of recommendation must be from a community member that the 2

3 chapter reached out to during the program. The letter should include details about the program as a whole, how the community was involved, what the community got out of it, and feedback on the chapter itself. The letter must also be submitted through our on line application. 4. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All submissions must be completed by the deadline date. 5. Submit the letter of intent, the community involvement plan, letter of recommendation and the final application through the web based application at 6. Connect with us: a. Web: b. ffaprogram@nutrientsforlife.org c. d. Facebook: Nutrients for Life Foundation e. Phone: f. Webinar g. Regional Representative listed below At-Large (chapters who do not have a state representative) Dee McKenna dmckenna@nutrientsforlife.com Arizona FFA Program Coordinator Lowell Bennett ldbennett@tkinet.com California Regional Representative Rick Phillips rick.phillips@simplot.com Colorado Regional Representative Jerry Alldredge jalldredge@nutrientsforlife.org Florida Regional Representative Joan Kyle jkyle@nutrientsforlife.org Idaho Regional Representative Rick Phillips rick.phillips@simplot.com Illinois Regional Representative Haley Siergiej hsiergiej@nutrientsforlife.org Iowa Regional Representative Debra Kearney dkearney@nutrientsforlife.org Kansas FFA Program Coordinator Sarah Bowser sbowser@nutrientsforlife.org Louisiana Regional Representative Tiffany Ballow tballow@nutrientsforlife.org Nebraska Regional Representative Melissa Buehler mbuehler@nutrientsforlife.org Washington Regional Representative Rick Phillips rphillips@nutrientsforlife.org SKILL DEVELOPMENT The Nutrients for Life Foundation designed this program with the intent to provide student, chapter, and community development opportunities while helping chapters fulfill their Program of Activities (POA) requirements. Students will gain skills in leadership, public speaking, team building and community awareness while increasing knowledge of soil science and agricultural issues. RECOGNITION AND AWARD The Helping Communities Grow program is sponsored and available to the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Washington. All other states, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico fall into the At-Large category. 3

4 FFA chapters are competing against the other participating FFA chapters in their state. If your chapter falls within the At-Large category, you are competing against other participating chapters that are not state sponsored. The Helping Communities Grow program is an award program. After judging is complete, FFA chapters will be awarded for the work they have done. The monies awarded are not tied to any project and can be spent however the FFA chapter chooses, whether it be to reinvest into your project, purchase FFA jackets, attend National Convention, officer training, etc. In each state and in the At-Large category, monetary awards of $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000 will be awarded to the first, second and third place chapter programs, respectively. Up to 30 chapters per state and 30 chapters in the At-Large category will receive a participation award for $500. The $500 award will be given to FFA chapters after judging is complete and the top three chapters have been recognized. The top three FFA chapters will not receive the $500 completion award. In addition, each participating chapter that completes the requirements will be awarded a certificate of completion recognizing its community involvement. The top three chapters will be notified directly and invited to the award presentation at their state FFA convention or an Ag teacher conference. All other chapters will be notified by the Foundation and mailed their $500 award. Press releases will be sent to local media announcing the winners in their respective communities and highlighting the chapter s project results and impact. Template articles and press releases will be provided to the participating states FFA organizations, as well as the winning chapters for promotion in newspapers, magazines and newsletters. ELIGIBILITY This program is open to all FFA chapters in good standing in all states. All members participating in the program must be members of the FFA chapter listed on the completed application materials. Chapters who participated in last year s program may enter again with the understanding that their submission must be different from any previous submission to the Helping Communities Grow chapter recognition program. SELECTION PROCESS Completed projects will be sent directly to the Nutrients for Life Foundation and judged by a team of industry leaders and educators. Scoring will be on a 100 point scale and will include a series of standards related to the goals and objectives, project implementation and results and measurement of each chapter s project. It is strongly suggested that chapters review the judging rubric to consider how the project will be judged. A judging rubric is available by request ffaprogram@nutrientsforlife.org or it can be viewed on the Foundation s website The Helping Communities Grow application must be submitted online through the web based application. Chapters can access the application after September 1, 2013 at 4

5 Nourishing Our World Project Theme Definition: Our growing world population requires an increasing amount of safe, affordable and nutritious food. However, we are limited by the supply of adequate farmland and must grow more food with less area by increasing efficiency. The FFA chapter s program should include one or more performance areas listed below. Performance areas Claims Facts Increasing Food Availability Increasing Food Safety Increasing Food Quality Affordable Food for All Increasing Stability in Food Production Fertilizer nutrients enable us to grow more food using the same or less land. Fertilizer is made from natural elements. The nutrients in fertilizers are the same as those found in nature. Fertilizers are safe when applied as the right source, at the right rate, right time and in the right place. Nutrients help produce crops with higher amounts of proteins, vitamins, and other life giving elements. Nutrients ensure healthy food remains affordable. Fertilizer assists in creating a more stable food production environment, making food sources more dependable. From , worldwide food production jumped 600% and allowed the world population to grow from 1.7 billion in 1900 to 6.7 billion today. (New York Times) The world population has doubled (100% increase) in 40 years from 1968 (3.55 billion) to 2008 (6.8 billion). It is now estimated that the population will be a little over 9 billion people by That s 100,000,000 additional people a year, or 237,972 a day. 97% of fertilizers used in North America are made from natural sources like the air (containing 78% nitrogen) as well as ancient ocean deposits of potassium and phosphate. There is no difference between fertilizer NH4 and NH4 derived from soil. Fertilizers are inspected and the contents are identified on labeling. By the year 2025, the population of the world will be a little over 9 billion people. That s 100,000,000 a year, or 273,972 a day. While people in other countries spend between 15% and 50% of their income for food, North Americans spend only about 10%. With the help of commercial fertilizer, North American farmers are able to produce the most abundant, nutritious, and affordable food in the world. Recent research found that fertilizer is associated to 40-60% of the average crop yields in the U.S. and England. This number tends to be even higher in the tropics. 5

6 Keeping the Earth Green Project Theme Definition: Nutrients can enhance soil fertility, and minimize losses to the environment when the right nutrient source is applied at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place using best management practices. 4R Nutrient Stewardship ( provides a framework to achieve cropping system goals increased production, increased farmer profitability, enhanced environmental protection, and improved sustainability. The FFA chapter s program should include one or more performance areas listed below. Performance areas Claims Facts Balancing Soil Nutritional Needs Improving or Maintaining Air Quality Increasing Wildlife Habitat Protecting Water Quality Soil quality is improved by replacing nutrients removed for food, fiber, and energy. Proper nutrient replacement helps prevent desertification and soil productivity losses. Nutritional soil needs can be met by utilizing 4R stewardship. Fertilizer BMPs (Best Management Practices) that address the 4Rs match to nutrient supply with crop requirements to minimize losses from fields and protect air quality. Nutrients allow farmers to produce more without being forced to farm on marginal land and wildlife habitat. Fertilizer BMPs that address the 4Rs match nutrient supply with crop requirements to minimize losses from fields and protect water quality. Each year typical North American corn crops remove more than 5.7 billion pounds of nitrogen from our soils. This nitrogen is replaced by the judicious application of fertilizer and manure based nutrients. Soil and organic matter cannot be built without nitrogen. Desertification often begins with deforestation in lesser developed countries, followed by soil erosion and loss of nutrients based on use. The United Nations estimates that more than 30% of the world s land is affected by desertification. The U.S. fertilizer industry continually works to increase the efficiency of its production facilities and reduce plant emissions. An annual survey shows that fertilizer manufacturers have reduced their emissions by more than 70% per ton produced since the Environmental Protection Agency began tracking plant emissions in Ammonia emissions have been reduced by more than 70% per ton produced since the EPA began tracking emissions in Nitrous oxide emissions can be reduced by up to 50% through BMP implementation. Farmers are producing about 2.7 times as much food today on virtually the same land area cultivation as in If we were producing 1960 yields for today s demand, we would require virtually all the land currently devoted to wildlife and wetland habitats. Nitrogen leaching is reduced by as much as 36 to 66 percent through the implementation of 4R nutrient stewardship. Phosphate losses to waterways can be reduced by as much as 72 to 95 percent through the implementation of 4R BMPs. 6

7 Helping Communities Grow Community Outreach Program Letter of Intent Due Wednesday, November 13, 2013 The Letter of Intent MUST be submitted through the online application at CHAPTER INFORMATION Chapter Name: Chapter Number: State: Advisor Name: Advisor Phone Number: Advisor School Name and Address: The FFA chapter has twelve months to create and implement the entire program. For example: If the state deadline is May, then the Chapter has from May 2013 to May 2014 to complete the entire program. 1. Select a project theme: Keeping the Earth Green or Nourishing the World. 2. List the performance areas the FFA chapter will focus on. The program should include more than one area. Performance areas are listed on page 5 and Based on the theme chosen, what are the FFA chapters Helping Communities Grow program S.M.A.R.T. goals? (This should include promoting the role of plant nutrients and fertilizers in the community and target audience.) S.M.A.R.T. goals are: specific, measurable (attendance, pre and post-test, scientific analysis), approved by you, realistic, and time stamped. 4. List the intended community partnerships and why the chapter is partnering with them. (i.e. local plant health and fertilizer companies, extension, university, civic organizations) 5. List all of the Nutrients for Life Foundation curricula, media and materials the FFA chapter plans to use in their Helping Communities Grow program? To order materials We understand that we are to complete and submit all necessary application materials by the final application deadline for our state, in order to be considered for the Nutrients for Life Foundation Helping Communities Grow Community Outreach Program. Signature of Chapter Advisor Date 7

8 Helping Communities Grow Community Outreach Program Community Involvement Plan Due Friday, January 31, 2014 The Community Involvement Plan MUST be submitted through the online application at Question: Based on the theme chosen by the FFA chapter; describe how the Chapter plans to engage community members (educational and professional) in the Helping Communities Grow program. For example: local plant health and fertilizer companies, extension, university, civic organizations, master gardeners, and elementary classes. ( words) *Note A letter of recommendation is required with the final application. That letter should come from one of the community members listed here. We understand that we are to complete and submit all necessary application materials by the final application deadline for our state, in order to be considered for the Nutrients for Life Foundation Helping Communities Grow Community Outreach Program. Signature of Chapter Advisor Date 8

9 Helping Communities Grow Chapter Recognition Program The Final Application MUST be submitted through the online application at Iowa, Idaho, Nebraska, Ohio Due Friday March 1, 2014 Kansas, Washington Due Friday, April 18, 2014 At-Large, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana Due Friday, May 9, 2014 CHAPTER INFORMATION Chapter Name: Chapter Number: State: Advisor Name: Phone Number: Advisor Alt. Phone or Cell Number: School Name and Address: Advisor Signature: Advisor # of Chapter Members: # of Members Participating: COMMUNITY REFERENCES Please list the community organization(s) your chapter reached out to and their contact information. If you need extra space, please attach a separate sheet. Organization, related business or industry contact: Organization, related business or industry contact : Contact Name and Information: Contact Name and Information: Please select your project theme: Keeping the Earth Green Nourishing the World PROJECT INFORMATION Please check carefully in order to ensure that your chapter has included the following required documents to complete your application. Chapter information form Essay questions (6) Activity timeline with dates and information Letter of recommendation from community group/organization Supporting materials (photo, video, or audio) Community tool Please select the type of supporting materials included in your application. Chapters will be given 50 MB. Photos Video Audio Other 9

10 Essay Questions 1. Summarize the FFA chapter s Helping Communities Grow program. ( words). 2. Describe the results of the FFA chapter s Helping Communities Grow program and how it impacted the community. (Did the chapter meet their S.M.A.R.T. program goals? If not, how did the chapter re-strategize? Provide impact numbers? How did the program benefit the community?) ( words) 3. Describe how the community partners (educational and professional) helped the FFA chapter obtain their goals (i.e. local plant health and fertilizer companies, extension, university, civic organizations). (150 words or less) 4. What role and responsibilities did FFA members have in the Helping Communities Grow program? (150 words or less) 5. What were the most rewarding elements of the FFA chapters Helping Communities Grow program? (150 words or less) 6. What future plans does the FFA chapter have for the Helping Communities Grow program? (150 words or less) 10

11 Helping Communities Grow Chapter Recognition Program Activity Timeline The FFA chapter has twelve months to create and implement the entire program. For example: If the state deadline is May, then the Chapter has from May 2013 to May 2014 to complete the entire program. Date Activity Description # Chapter Participants # Community Participants (if applicable) Notes 11