NACAA 2020 Virtual AM/PIC - Update

 

Dear NACAA Members,   I hope this finds you well and that you are looking forward  to the 2020 NACAA Virtual AMPIC which is coming up in a  few short days (Sept. 28 - Oct 1).   As you know we will be using Microsoft Teams  as our virtual platform.   In order to enhance your experience, the talented  UF/IFAS IT Team have put together a short orientation video  that will enhance your experience on TEAMs.  If you think  about it we are all first-timers to this new virtual experience.   Please take some time to watch the video, it will give you the  instructions you need to join the NACAA Team, how to  maneuver within Teams, and what the invitation email to  Teams that you will be receiving will look like.  You should be receiving the invitation in the  next 24 hours.   You can view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ktVZfbPywQ&t=6s If you haven't registered for the conference, please do  so ASAP at    https://www.nacaa.com/ampic/2020/2020VirtualAMPIC.php This is the only way you will receive an official  Teams invitation to participate.    For the best conference experience, please be sure to download  and install the Microsoft Teams application:  https://aka.ms/teamsdownload Due to the need to get participants entered into the system  prior to the AM/PIC, we will need to cut off registration  tomorrow September 24 at 6PM EST.   Thank you for your patience and understanding and we look  forward to seeing you next week.   All the best and stay safe   Gene   Gene McAvoy President - National Association of County Agricultural Agents     Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations University of Florida IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center   Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus    UF/IFAS SWFREC 2685 State Road 29 N Immokalee, FL 34142   239-658-3414 office 863-673-5939 cell gmcavoy@ifas.ufl.edu

Support Your NACAA Scholarship Fund !!!

 The Scholarship Program provides professional improvement opportunities for members. The funding is provided by the NACAA Educational Foundation.

Scholarships can be awarded to an individual or groups. In order to be eligible for up to $1,000, you must have contributed at least $40 to the fund. Members need to be vested at $100 to be eligible for up to $2,000 during their Extension career. No monetary award can be over $1,000 in any one year. The online application submission deadline is June 1 annually. The award recipients are selected on the 1st day of AM/PIC. This year applications were reviewed/awarded on July 10.

Scholarship funds are often used for :
➢ Advanced degree
➢ Conference (NACAA AM/PIC not eligible)
➢ Specialized training
➢ Workshop
➢ Short courses or event

This year, the only way to contribute money to the NACAA Education Foundation is by credit card or check. In order to apply for an educational Scholarship in 2021 or beyond you must become ‘vested’ before the end of the ‘Virtual’ AM/PIC (Oct. 1, 2020).

To contribute by credit card … Go to website ... http://nacaa.com
Click on “Donate to the NACAA Educational Foundation - Scholarship.”
OR
Make check payable to: “NACAA Educational Foundation"
Mail check to: Scott Hawbaker
NACAA Executive Director
6584 W. Duroc Road
Maroa, IL 61756

ARE YOU ALREADY ELIGIBLE?
Find out …. go to www.nacaa.com/scholarship/index.php then select your State & click ‘Continue’ . All contributions for current members are listed.

For ANSWERS to your SCHOLARSHIP QUESTIONS contact: Donna Hamlin Beliech, National Scholarship Chair, d.beliech@msstate.edu 601-825-1462.

NOYF Application Deadline Extended to Oct. 5, 2020

 NACAA Members,

The National Outstanding Farmers of America have extended their deadline for applications for the National Outstanding Young Farmers program until October 5, 2020. This program is an incredible opportunity for farmers under 40 years of age and their Extension Agents. Please nominate your eligible young farmers.

The following criteria must be met during the nomination process:

• All nominees must be submitted on the official Outstanding Young Farmers Nomination Form, found on the Outstanding Farmers of America website - www.outstandingfarmers.com  
• Be postmarked before October 5, 2020
• Nomination forms should be completed on the form downloaded from the website, not handwritten .

  To qualify:

• Nominees must be between the ages of 21 and 40, not becoming 41 prior to January 1 before the NOYF Awards Congress.
• Nominees must be actual farm operators, deriving a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farming.
• Nominee must email or mail the completed NOYF nomination form.
• The submission addresses as well as additional information about the National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress and program can be obtained by visiting www.outstandingfarmers.com

  All NOYF Awards Program participants are judged on personal contributions in the following categories:

• Progress in agricultural career (50%)
• Extent of soil and water conservation practices (25%)
• Contributions to the well-being of their community, state, and nation (25%)

Call me at 706-465-2136 or email me at tcheely@uga.edu with questions.

 

Thanks,

Tammy Cheely

NACAA Liaison to NOYF