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4 EDCAL March 25, 2019 FFA members share the message of agriculture with leaders during National Ag Week March 11-15 marked National Ag Week, an opportunity for those in the field of agriculture to celebrate the industry. Through Ag Week, Americans learn how food and fiber products are produced; the vital role agriculture plays in today’s econ- omy; and how agriculture provides safe, abundant and affordable products. From coast to coast, FFA chapters will share the message of agriculture in their communi- ties. In California, the Surprise Valley FFA hosted an Ag Olympics at their local elementary school where students learned about poultry and the pork industry through a variety of activities. In North Carolina, the North East Car- olina Prep School FFA Chapter provided more than 1,000 students with agricultural education activity kits and guided them through lessons. In Oregon, the Echo FFA Chapter taught first- through fifth-graders how cool ag careers can be and that everyone has a place in agriculture. In Pennsylvania, the Grand Canyon FFA interacted with elementary students by sharing stories on how farmers ensure we have a safe and nutritious food supply. On March 12, National FFA President Luke O’Leary visited the North Harford FFA Chapter in Pylesville, Md., where they talked agriculture with local elemen- tary students in the morning. Also that morning, Western Region Vice President Shea Booster visited with the Gwynn Park FFA Chapter in Brandywine, Md., as they hosted an appreciation breakfast and a recruitment event for future FFA mem- bers. That afternoon, Central Region Vice President Ridge Hughbanks spent time with the Fauquier FFA in Warrenton, Va., at their Ag Olympics. The officers showed how agriculture plays a role in everyday life — from the clothes we wear to the food we eat. March 13, 40 state FFA officers joined a group of 100 young people gathered in Washington, D.C., to learn about sharing the importance of agricultural advocacy with those less familiar with agriculture. On March 14 – National Ag Day – they visited with their congressional represen- tatives on Capitol Hill and ended with a luncheon at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 669,989 student members who belong to one of 8,630 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 459,514 alumni members in 2,236 alumni chapters throughout the U.S. BILLS Continued from page 1 The committee consists of ACSA member representatives from each of the 19 regions statewide, plus representatives from 18 ACSA committees and councils, the ACSA Charter School Task Force, and liaisons from the California Association of Student Councils. The group works closely in concert with ACSA’s Governmental Relations staff, and solicits bill sponsorship requests from other ACSA committees and the various regions. The committee is currently chaired by Superintendent Gina Potter of San Ysidro ESD. Throughout the year, the committee members devote extensive time and effort to gaining knowledge and understanding of legislative interests from the member- ship within each region. Each of the region representatives works diligently to maintain contact with the various regional member- ship groups. ACSA’s Legislative Policy Committee met recently to review dozens of legislative bills that are being considered. The group is determining ACSA’s position on these bills, which will be available on ACSA’s Advocacy page at www.acsa.org/advocacy. ACSA's Resource Hub offers a plethora of useful information for school leaders on such issues as student safety, credentialing, increasing community engagement, deepening student learning, dealing with crises and much more. Access resources on these and other topics at http://content.acsa.org. APRIL 11-13, 2019 | HILTON UNIVERSAL CITY www.lead3.org Sabba Quidwai Development Executive, Apple Terry Walker Superintendent, Irvine USD