The Grand Teton trees and Jackson Hole, Wyoming are calling your name! Grab your tickets to have one of 150 chances to win this amazing trip through the Blue & Gold Gala Raffle! Tickets are $100 and there are only 150 tickets that will be sold. You do not need to be present to win!

This trip for two includes airfare vouchers on Alaska Airline, three nights at either The Lodge at Jackson Hole or The Rustic Inn at Jackson Hole, and a Grand Teton small group wildlife safari. Airfare vouchers are valued at $1,250 each. Total trip is valued at $4,600. Purchase your $100 Gala Raffle tickets using the button below.

There are still a limited number of seats available for the Blue & Gold Gala if you have not secured your tickets for the event! Contact Rochell directly at foundation@azffafoundation.org or call 602-705-9211 if you are interested in attending this event. This is the 'Biggest Night in Arizona Agriculture', you do not want to miss being a part of this spectacular night!

There are eight incredible packages in the Live Auction during the upcoming Blue & Gold Gala! We are grateful to all sponsors for contributing to the Live Auction this year. We hope you will explore the details in the link below to make plans to participate in the auction. Limited tickets are still available to attend the event. If you are unable to attend but interested in submitting a proxy to support the Live Auction or purchase tickets for the event, please contact the office at 602-705-9211 or email foundation@azffafoundation.org.

The Cullison Scholars Program is funded through the Arizona Agriculture Education/FFA Foundation with an endowment established by the late Jerry Cullison to honor his dad, J.R. Cullison through the Foundation. The endowment opened the door for countless students to pursue a career in agricultural education. The University of Arizona, Agricultural Education, Technology & Innovation Department (AETI) coordinates the Cullison Scholars Program each year.

Students are selected by their Agricultural Education Teachers because they show excellence in scholarship and leadership and have a teacher-like disposition. This past year, they had a record number of 39 Cullison Scholars! The students gather for a special presentation during the State FFA Leadership Conference, coordinated by the AETI Department staff. It is an honor to be selected for this program. The Foundation looks forward to the students continuing their desire to become an Agricultural Education Teacher and the impact they will make on future students in Arizona.

Dr. Amber Rice shared, "The JR Cullison scholarship program is vital to offering preservice teacher support to engage in coursework at The University of Arizona and through their student teaching internship. Without the generous donation from the Cullison family, numerous prospective agriculture teachers would not be able to afford the cost of earning their degree. The Teach Ag Academy is a newer initiative with the same goal to increase the pipeline of agriculture teachers. High school students get a chance to experience college life through a multi-day experience on The University of Arizona campus. This creates excitement for a career in teaching and allows faculty and staff at the university to assist in the transition from high school to college. The Teach Ag Academy, along with the JR Cullison program, represents two critical ways the Foundation shows their investment and support in the recruitment of agriculture teachers in Arizona." Dr. Amber Rice is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Education and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Agricultural Education, Technology and Innovation, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at The University of Arizona. 

We are seeking donations for the raffle. If you would like to donate a product or service, please click the link below to submit a donation or contact Meagan Kimmerle at meagan@azffafoundation.org.

The Arizona Society of Association Executives (AZSAE) recognized the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation during the recent Awards Celebration held on December 6, 2022 at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak. The Foundation was honored to accept the Excellence in Association Management Creative Funding Award for the 6th Annual Blue & Gold Gala. We were extremely honored to have Farrah Smith, Foundation President-elect and Gala Chair, recognized that evening as the Volunteer of the Year! We were also thrilled that Rochell Planty, Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation Executive Director, was honored with the Presidential Award! We are so proud of these two ladies and all they do for the Foundation! It is their dedication, creativity and focused effort that makes our Foundation so remarkable for Arizona agriculture education and FFA. Congratulations!

Frank describes the start of his career beginning in 1975: “My career in Agriculture Education began in the fall of 1975 at Baboquivari High School. I had done my student teaching at Baboquivari and consequently got hired before I finished my stint. I ended up with seven remarkable years of teaching and learning. There was always something new to learn and always something challenging my mind. I taught under the tutelage of Harley Cox and a couple of years with Mike Henry who went on to start the program at Flowing Wells High School. I mentored Dave Perey, Teddy Goodluck and Walt Wesch who went on to carve their own paths. Click here to continue to read this insightful story.