The Oxford dictionary definition of HYPE is “extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion.” In Missouri there is a different definition of HYPE. It is an acronym for “Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence.” HYPE is a youth leadership academy designed to challenge and equip the TOP 30 incoming high school senior FFA members to be advocates for agriculture. See Figure 1.
Figure 1. Gallatin North Missourian, July 06, 2016
The HYPE program was started in 2015 with support from the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. The three-day intensive program is designed to inspire and encourage FFA members to be advocates for agriculture. During the academy the students participate in sessions promoting advocacy, training, social media, communication and stakeholder collaboration. FFA embers also learn about overcoming adversity, developing a personal brand and engaging those with opposing viewpoints.
During the academy students learn from farmers, industry representatives, social media experts and legislators. The goal is to prepare students to effectively advocate about issues facing agriculture. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. The Douglas County Herald (Ava, Missouri), July 05, 2018
For more information about HYPE check out the application form at https://missouriffa.org/forms/hype-application/.
HYMAX
Is anything special done in Missouri to develop the leadership skills of the younger agricultural students? The answer is yes and it is HYMAX.
The Following information about HYMAX is from the Missouri FFA website:
Are you a future leader in agriculture, FFA and your community? Are you ready to be an active member of the agricultural community and tell the agriculture story? If you answered YES, the HYMAX Academy is for you! HYMAX is a youth leadership conference designed to challenge and equip the TOP 100 incoming high school sophomore FFA members to be advocates for agriculture.
What is HYMAX?
These 100 FFA members will receive hands-on experiences to prepare them to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural Industry. FFA members will also learn from other FFA members about their chapter and how to better their SAE program. In addition, members will gain strategies to continue strengthening their knowledge base in agricultural issues, sharpen written and verbal communication skills, and spark potential career interests. Most importantly, participants will bring home tools to help other members’ chapter tell the agriculture story!
When, Where, and Why HYMAX?
The HYMAX Academy will challenge up to 100 Agricultural Education students during an intensive three-day academy June 13-15, 2025. Held at Camp Rising Sun at the Lake of the Ozarks, HYMAX will build on knowledge gained in class and leadership experiences gained as a FFA Greenhand. Expect this leadership experience to be a hands-on, engaging academy that will provide skills to work together in a Small Group to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural industry.
Figure 4 . Article from the Tipton (MO) Times about the HYMAX Academy. June 21, 2018.
Conclusion
I am writing this Footnote from Nashville, Tennessee at the NAAE/ACTE annual meeting. One of the words commonly heard at this conference is the word “Leadership”. Agricultural educators and other career and technical education teachers are leaders in the field and are preparing their students for future leadership roles. The HYPE and HYMAX academies in Missouri are great examples of how this is being accomplished in Missouri.