Missouri FFA News Releases

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 16, 2009—Valerie Houston of Tipton, Mo., was named an Honorary State FFA Degree recipient at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention.

Houston is an administrative assistant for agricultural education at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Although not a member of FFA, she grew up on a farm and attended chapter banquets at Tipton High School . Her children are members of FFA, and she has worked many barbeques and chaperoned barnwarmings and other activities.

The Missouri FFA Association recognizes Honorary State FFA Degree recipients each year at its annual state convention for their valuable efforts and contributions to the FFA organization and its members. Those eligible to receive the Honorary FFA Degree include farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of the board of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business professionals and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA while rendering outstanding service.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 507,000 members representing 7,439 local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands .

The FFA Mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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