Missouri FFA News Releases

COLUMBIA , Mo. , April 16, 2009 – The Missouri FFA Association recognized Dustin Tate, of the Brunswick FFA Chapter, as the Area 4 Star in Placement at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention. His parents are Ron and Donna Tate of Brunswick, Mo. His advisor is Tom Zeilstra.

Area Stars in Placement are selected based upon outstanding achievement in work experience in an agriculture business as part of a student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and active participation in FFA. Area 4 covers 19 chapters in the Northeast District.

MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the 16 Area Star in Placement Awards.

Tate’s Supervised Agriculture Experience Program began when he started working for Fuggett Carpentry his freshman year, there he learned all the skills necessary for carpentry. During the winter Tate learned some management practices while working at Johnson’s Christmas Tree Farm. Tate has been working at Twin Lakes Goose Club since the summer of his sophomore year. There he builds deer stand and duck blinds, manages wetland habitat and guide hunts. In his three years at the Goose Club he has received several pay raises and has been appointed a crew member. Tate is also a Private E-2 in the Missouri National Guard; he attended basic training in Ft. Jackson,Sc.

Tate served as chapter sentinel his junior year and is currently serving as chapter president. Tate participated in the Area Knowledge and Soils Career Development Event where his team took second in state, and also competed in the National Land and Home Site Evaluation Contest. Tate also competed at the district level in the livestock CDE and been a Missouri State Fair exhibitor for three years.

Tate has been a member of National Honor Society, high school basketball, baseball and track. Tate also competed on the high school academic bowl team. He is also a member of the Catholic Church and a member of Ducks Unlimited in his community.

Tate plans on studying agronomy and wildlife management.

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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