Southeast ag chairman to be honored by FFA

Michael Aide, chairman of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University, has been selected to receive an Honorary American FFA Degree.

The award recognizes those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make a long-term difference in the lives of students and inspire confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

Members of the National FFA Organization's board of directors approved the nomination, and Aide will receive the award at the 2015 National FFA Convention and Expo next month in Louisville, Kentucky.

Recipients receive a certificate and medal, and their names are permanently recorded.

"I am very thankful to the FFA for the honor," Aide said in a statement from Southeast. "Throughout my entire adult career, agriculture has represented to me one of the most noble of all occupations. I am delighted that by working in a university setting that I can instill that back in young people."

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of the 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.