Betsy Pech of Hartsburg-Emden High School receives Honorary American FFA Degree

[October 30, 2012]  HARTSBURG -- Betsy Pech, agriculture teacher at Hartsburg-Emden High School, recently received the Honorary American FFA Degree at the 2012 National FFA Convention. This award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well-being of the nation.

The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

Recipients are selected on the basis of their contributions in the following seven areas: classroom/laboratory instruction, experiential learning of students, the National FFA Organization, building partnerships, agricultural education program marketing, agricultural education program development and evaluation, and professional development of agricultural education teachers.

In addition, teachers must have taught for a minimum of 10 years, and their agricultural education program must have had 85 percent membership in the past year.

[Text from file received]