The National Association of Agricultural Educators, Inc



The National Association of Agricultural Educators, Inc.

300 Garrigus Building ( Lexington, KY 40546-0215 (

NEWS RELEASE:

For More Information:

Julie Fritsch, Communications/Marketing Coordinator

Phone: (859) 257-2224

Fax: (859) 323-3919

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 2010

Chester County Young Farmers Association Selected for National Award

LAS VEGAS – The Chester County Young Farmers Association in Chester, S.C. is one of only six programs nationwide who received the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program Award on December 1st at the NAAE annual convention in Las Vegas.

The Chester County Young Farmers Association approaches its members with several key objectives: present innovative ideas, encourage participation, learn from others, and keep members informed of agricultural issues. These objectives have become reality as members experience what Thomas ‘Kip’ Beam, instructor for the program, refers to as self empowerment.

“Self empowerment, where members have taken ownership of what happens within the local chapter, generates a level of pride and enthusiasm that, in turn, promotes interests and input from all members,” he said.

Members of the Chester County Young Farmers Association play an active role in deciding the types of lessons and activities offered. These include establishing food plots for wildlife, tours of a peach farm, and seeing the production of biofuel. This member-guided program has resulted in development of strong leaders, with members being elected to Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association state office.

“Kip has a very important role in agriculture, in that he is an educator to our children and an advisor to our farming community,” said Amanda Lutz, member of the Chester County Young Farmers Association. “Kip, in my opinion, understands the magnitude of this role and is outstanding.”

Each of the six regional Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Program award winners received a two-year lease on a Toyota Tundra, an expense paid trip to attend the NAAE convention in Las Vegas, and a special dinner in their honor. Toyota sponsors the Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program Award as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators. Its mission is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE office is located in Lexington, Ky.

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