Three
supporters of New Jersey agricultural education,
Susan R. Butch of Trenton, Michael Iannitelli of
Phillipsburg and William N. Brooks of Elmer, were
presented with the Honorary American FFA Degree
by the National FFA Organization at the 74th National
FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, in October. The
award is presented to those individuals who advance
agricultural education and the FFA through outstanding
personal commitment and is the highest degree that
can be bestowed upon a non-member. Butch, a 27-year
employee of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture
in Trenton, has assisted New Jersey agricultural
education by serving as a judge for state career
development events; coordinating facilities and
contracts for conferences and conventions, as well
as helping to provide agricultural education technology
grants and equipment to New Jersey's FFA chapters.
Iannitelli, a principal engineering aide at the
Warren County Engineers Office in Belvidere, has
shown his support of agricultural education by
serving as the treasurer of the New Jersey FFA
Foundation for the past 11 years. The Foundation
is an organization that provides financial support
to agricultural education activities. Iannitelli,
a former FFA member who served as a state FFA officer,
has served as a judge for state FFA convention
and seeks to promote agricultural education through
his involvement in the local, county and state
Grange. Brooks has been a strong supporter of the
State FFA Association, the State FFA Alumni Association
and Woodstown FFA chapter by serving on the Advisory
Committee for the local agricultural education
program, actively participating in the local FFA
Alumni affiliate and helping raise funds to enable
students to attend leadership conferences and conventions.
Brooks and his wife, Diane, operate a 520-acre
vegetable farm in Salem County. Their son, Michael,
currently serves as State FFA president. The FFA
is a national organization of 457,278 members preparing
for leadership and careers in the science, business
and technology of agriculture. In New Jersey, 2,052
members strive to make a positive difference by
developing their potential for premier leadership,
personal growth and career success through agricultural
education.
New Jersey State FFA Officers recently
joined in congratulating New Jersey's Honorary American FFA Degree
recipients recognized at the 74th National FFA Convention in Louisville,
Ky. From left to right, Brian Dalbow, State FFA Sentinel; Erin Zukus,
State FFA Vice President; Michael Iannitelli; Susan Butch; William
Brooks; Michael Brooks, State FFA President; and Christopher Nnadi,
State FFA Treasurer.
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