Announcements
Oregon FFA hires it’s new CEO
A Veterinary Services Inc. executive with deep roots in FFA has been named Oregon FFA’s new CEO.
Kjer Kizer will succeed Phil Ward, who will retire in July after more than three years leading the organization. “I really credit my skill set that I have now, even in my professional career today, to my time as an FFA member. I’m excited to serve an organization that gave me so much,” Kizer said. FFA played a huge role in her childhood growing up in Joseph, Ore., and shaped who she became, she said. Her parents weren’t involved in agriculture, but Kizer said she learned there was so much more to FFA than just the farming aspect. Besides being a member in the Joseph FFA Chapter during high school, she was Oregon FFA’s state treasurer in 2000-01 before enrolling at Oregon State University. She worked for the National FFA presenting leadership development conferences during and after college.
Praying on the decision
Kizer, who lives in Halsey, Ore., is VSI’s director of employee and partner relations. She has worked for the company at its office in Millersburg, Ore., since 2014.
She said she wasn’t looking to leave VSI but couldn’t turn down the opportunity to lead Oregon FFA. “My husband and I really prayed about it and thought it was the right decision,” she said. Kizer is a recipient of the State FFA Degree and American FFA Degree — the organization’s highest degrees at the state and national levels. She also has been honored for volunteer efforts and leadership in support of several FFA chapters, including Condon, Grant Union and Central Linn. She volunteers with other youth organizations, as well, such as 4-H. Kizer and her husband have two teenagers who raise and show livestock.
Long-term leadership
Kirk Maag, chairman of Oregon FFA’s joint board, noted Kizer’s passion and enthusiasm for agricultural education, as well as her experience managing teams and people. “What I think Kjer brings to the position is just a combination of skills and experience. One thing we’re so excited about is she’s a product of Oregon FFA,” Maag said. “She has a deep understanding of the organization and its mission,” he added. He said that he hopes Ward will continue as a senior advisor for the organization to ensure a smooth and effective transition. “We’ve been really fortunate to have the steady, visionary leadership of Phil Ward for more than three years now. I’m really excited about a pretty seamless transition,” Maag said. Ward, a former director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture among other prominent roles, led Oregon FFA to record membership and fundraising during his tenure. Maag said Kizer could be with Oregon FFA for the long term.
“Her passion and enthusiasm will likely push Oregon FFA forward for a long time to come,” he added. Kizer said her intention is to retire from the position.
Aaron Duff, a former ag educator and current superintendent of the Milton-Freewater Unified School District, led the CEO search committee.
He said several applicants demonstrated exceptional qualifications. “Kjer brings a well-rounded set of skills and experiences. Her FFA background, agriculture industry experience and demonstrated service leadership will help her meet the needs of the organization now and into the future,” he added, in the news release. Ward said he was thrilled that Kizer will be his successor. “She has an impressive FFA background, real world agribusiness experience and proven relationship-building skills. I have no doubt she will do a wonderful job in this important role,” Ward said, in the news release.
Phil Ward announces retirement as Oregon FFA CEO
Corvallis, OR – Oregon FFA CEO, Phil Ward, recently announced that he will be retiring July 1 after more than three years at the helm of Oregon’s premier youth leadership organization. His retirement announcement to the board of directors read in part:
“It is with mixed emotions today that I announce my retirement as Oregon FFA CEO, effective July 1, 2024. As I approach my 70th birthday, I have concluded that this next season of life needs to be focused on family and home.
I have loved being part of this organization these past three years and will miss it greatly. It is a rare thing to get to return to your roots to finish your career, but that is the gift you all have given me. To be a part of the Ag Education/FFA community again and to be able to play a small role in helping move forward the One Oregon FFA vision, has been a true privilege.”
During Ward’s tenure as CEO, Oregon FFA membership and fundraising reached all-time highs. The organization now boasts more than 16,500 student members, and private funds raised through sponsorships, donations and grants consistently total about $1,000,000 per year.
“I am truly excited about what the future holds for Oregon FFA,” said Ward. “The course has been set for a continued strong and productive organization that is training the next generation of agricultural industry and community leaders, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be a part of this effort.”
According to Board Chair Kirk Maag, Oregon FFA will immediately begin the process to recruit its next CEO. “We want to continue the momentum established under Phil’s leadership,” said Maag. “Oregon FFA has a great team, loyal supporters, growing membership, and a clear vision for the future. We’re looking for a dynamic, collaborative leader who will help us continue to grow and strengthen Oregon FFA.” The job announcement is available at www.oregonffa.com/jobs/.
Before joining Oregon FFA as CEO, Ward enjoyed a long career in public policy and government. He served as Executive Vice President of the Oregon Farm Bureau, Director of the Oregon Departments of Agriculture and Water Resources, and State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. However, he always said his favorite job was as a high school agriculture instructor. He taught seven years in two school districts: Jefferson and Central (Independence) and was named the Outstanding Young Agriculture Teacher for the State of Oregon in 1983.
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Oregon FFA gets new statewide officers
Updated
REDMOND, Ore. — The final morning of the 95th annual Oregon FFA State Convention was a pulse-pounding affair as delegates gathered to elect a new slate of officers.
The process combines formal voting procedures with stadium rock concert theatrics — before each winner is announced, the house lights go dark, energetic music plays and colorful stage lights dart over the crowd, with hundreds of spectators clapping in unison.
When it was finished, six officers were chosen from a pool of 10 candidates to lead Oregon FFA for 2023-24.
It was the culmination of the four-day convention March 16-19 at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond, which drew an estimated 2,500 students from across Oregon to compete in FFA events and attend leadership-building workshops.
For the next year, the officers will travel thousands of miles visiting with all 11,000-plus FFA members and 109 local chapters across the state.
“Something that we all talked about as candidates a lot is that we want to connect with the members,” Thiel said. “Connection is super important. We want to make sure members feel that they are loved, and that they are served.”
The idea of connection was a recurring theme as officers discussed their own high school and FFA careers, and goals for the coming year.
Venegas said she was inspired to run for state office while attending last summer’s Southern Oregon FFA District leadership camp.
“We were all sitting around the campfire,” Venegas said. “Everybody was singing, dancing and telling stories. There was so much love. My heart was overwhelmed with joy. I knew then that I wanted to do whatever I could to continue to impact the lives of our (organization’s) members.”
“Cruikshank is following the steps of her older brother, Josiah, who served as Oregon FFA state president in 2019-20, and National FFA western region vice president in 2021-22.
But Cruikshank said she has come to learn that success isn’t solely defined by titles and accolades.
“Through my FFA years, I’ve learned what success really means,” she said. “It’s not about a banner or an office, but it’s how you impact the people around you and how you treat them. Even if you have all the awards and achievements in the state, that doesn’t make you a successful person.”
Mizee described himself as a person driven by his passions. He said he wants to help his fellow members find their own purpose in life.
“You should take every opportunity that comes your way,” he said. “FFA is an amazing place to fail, because when you do fail, it’s OK.”
No matter what a person’s interests or skills may be, FFA is a place for everyone, Peters said.
“Whether you were raised on a farm your entire life, or you’ve never seen a cow before, you have a place and we’re here for you,” she said.
As FFA officers, Temple said the team has a unique opportunity to be a light in many students’ lives.
“The feeling that I’m feeling right now is just a sense of pride, but not necessarily for personal accomplishments,” Temple said. “But just because I know this is an amazing team and we have the opportunity to represent some amazing members.”
Bend Resident Elected National FFA Officer
November 3, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bend, Oregon – This past week at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Josiah Cruikshank, Bend, was elected Western Region Vice President of the National FFA (Future Farmers of America).
Cruikshank participated in FFA and agriculture classes at Mountain View High School, serving as FFA Vice-President in 2018-2019 and was elected to serve as Oregon FFA State President in 2019-2020. He is currently a student at Oregon State University studying business administration and mechanical engineering and will devote the next year to representing nearly 735,000 FFA members nationwide. National FFA Officers spend a year representing the FFA across the nation in forums varying from local classrooms to corporate boardrooms. They lead member events, advocate with policy makers and supporters to advance the interests of the FFA and agricultural education programs.
“It’s definitely surreal,” Cruikshank said. “To actually be given this platform, to hopefully live a life of service for the betterment of FFA members is definitely a privilege.”
Cruikshank started his FFA career by taking an agriculture class his freshman year at Mountain View High. He was active early on, raising and showing hogs and participating in leadership competitions. According to Mountain View Agriculture Instructor Jeff Papke, “Josiah was one of those students we knew would be an outstanding FFA leader from the day he stepped into our classroom, he worked hard, cared about doing things right, and cared about the people around him. We couldn’t be happier to see him elected to national office.”
Cruikshank said he is approaching this year as an opportunity to truly serve the FFA and its members. “I think all any of us can do is live our purpose in service to the people around us,” he said.
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Oregon FFA and Les Schwab Are Driving Away Hunger
October 1, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Corvallis, OR
Oregon FFA and Les Schwab Tires Centers know the need to help fight hunger is greater than ever. Those affected by food insecurity are in need year-round, especially now as the holidays are fast approaching. Since 2013 Les Schwab Tire Centers of Oregon has partnered with Oregon FFA in a Drive Away Hunger Initiative to help raise as much food and awareness as possible. The initiative will take place the entire month of October.
We urge you to join us in driving away hunger by dropping non-perishable food donations at any Oregon Les Schwab Tire Center, Wilco, or Grange Co-op store through October 31st.
The timing of this initiative is important to help our local food banks and pantries gear up for the upcoming holiday demands. This special partnership allows FFA members to live out their motto of “learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve.” FFA members follow in the footsteps set by the employees at Les Schwab Tire Centers as you see them generously giving back to their local communities daily. Over the past 8 years, this effort has raised nearly three million meals for those in need!
The Oregon FFA is part of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America. It is a national youth organization of 760,113 student members, all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. There are 8,817 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Oregon FFA is made up of more than 11,000 members in 109 chapters throughout the state. 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.
To learn more, visit the Oregon FFA Facebook page, #ORFFADriveAwayHunger, and https://www.lesschwab.com/drive-away-hunger.
Official Document: PRESS RELEASE – #ORFFADRIVEAWAYHUNGER
Phil Ward Returns to Roots as CEO of Oregon FFA
March 16, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Corvallis, OR
Phil Ward is a familiar face across Oregon’s agriculture and natural resource industries.
He will now lead Oregon FFA as its CEO.
Ward started his career as a high school agriculture educator and FFA advisor and taught seven years in two school districts. After leaving teaching in 1984, Ward has served as Executive Vice President of the Oregon Farm Bureau, Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Water Resources, and as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Oregon. Most recently, Ward’s heart for education won out and he returned to teaching as an instructor in Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
In announcing Ward’s selection as the CEO Kirk Maag, Chair of the Oregon FFA Joint Board, said he’s “thrilled to have Phil on board.” Maag said, “Oregon FFA will benefit from Phil’s experience managing complex budgets, leading mission-driven teams, building grassroots support, and collaborating with volunteer boards of directors. With Phil’s experience and deep roots in Oregon agriculture, I can’t think of anyone better to lead our organization forward!”
Ward said, “For me, joining Oregon FFA is like coming full circle. I started my career as a high school agriculture educator and FFA advisor. To now have the opportunity to serve an organization that has had such a significant impact on the lives of so many young people, mine included, is extremely meaningful both professionally and personally. In my view, this job is about two key things: helping students have the best possible experience during their time as FFA members and supporting the agriculture educators who lead and work with those students every single day. I am extremely excited to be a part of this team.”
Ward will succeed Shawn Dooley, who served as Oregon FFA’s CEO in 2019 and 2020. Maag said that “Shawn’s steady leadership allowed Oregon FFA to not only survive but thrive during the pandemic. We were fortunate to work with Shawn and our exceptional team of dedicated employees to ensure Oregon FFA continued to deliver programs and experiences to students despite the obstacles of the past years.” Ward echoed those sentiments: “There has been a really solid foundation laid by past and current FFA leadership. The organization is in great shape with members from every corner of the state with a quality group of agriculture educators leading and teaching them. It’s my job, and that of the rest of the state FFA staff, to build on the foundation that’s in place and help Oregon FFA grow and prosper in the years ahead.”
JD Cant, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Oregon FFA Joint Board, perhaps summed it up best remarking about Ward’s hire: “As a agriculture teacher in northeast Oregon, I am beyond excited to have a leader with the experience, expertise, and skills like Phil Ward to move Oregon FFA “Onward” into the future.” Cant explained, “It gives me great solace to know that Phil Ward will lead our staff, our students, our supporters, and our teachers and is a leader who has truly lived it all, and has walked in many of the shoes that many in FFA now wear. Oregon FFA will be better because of his presence in all aspects of Oregon FFA.”
Official Document: PRESS RELEASE – Phil Ward Hired
Northwest Farm Credit Services makes $500,000 Endowment Gift to Support Oregon FFA
January 6, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Corvallis, OR
The Oregon FFA Foundation received its largest single gift with a donation of $500,000 from Northwest Farm Credit Services to establish an “Oregon FFA Today and Tomorrow” endowment.
Foundation President, Kirk Maag said, “We are deeply humbled and grateful to Northwest Farm Credit Services and the leadership of Brent Fetsch and his team for their continuing and generous investment in the lives of FFA members. This ground-breaking seed gift gives us the foundation to establish an endowment fund that will provide support for the Oregon FFA Association in perpetuity. This will ensure that Oregon FFA can continue 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.”
Brent Fetsch, Oregon President of Northwest Farm Credit Services stated, “As part of Northwest Farm Credit’s stewardship commitment to improve the lives of our customers, communities, and industries we serve, we are investing funds in education and research across the Northwest.” Fetsch, a former Oregon State FFA Officer and current secretary of the Oregon FFA Foundation Board of Directors said, “Students who participate in FFA are more likely to graduate from high school and 93% continue their education beyond high school.”
Fetsch said, “We hope others will join us by investing in ‘Oregon FFA Today and Tomorrow’ to provide a stable source of funding well into the future. We are grateful for the impactful work Oregon FFA does for over 11,000 students, communities and agriculture. We are especially thankful for the over 160 agricultural science teachers and FFA advisors who are a powerful and positive influence on these young lives. We are proud to partner with Oregon FFA to achieve great things for agriculture and rural communities.”
Oregon FFA Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The mission of the Foundation is to coordinate sustainable, long-term funding for agriculture education and Oregon FFA.
Contact:
Betsy Hartley, Development Officer, Oregon FFA Foundation, betsy@oregonffa.com, 541-231-1472
Kirk Maag, Board President, Oregon FFA Foundation, kirk.maag@stoel.com, 541-881-9613
Brent Fetsch, Oregon President, Northwest Farm Credit Services, brent.fetsch@northwestfcs.com, 503-373-3039
Official Document: NWFCS Press Release_Jan 6, 2021