Texas Agricultural Mechanics Committee

Winter Meeting

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

March 12, 2003

Welcome and Introductions

Approval of the Minutes

Perspectives on the 2002 Event and Planning for the 2003 Texas Event

• 4 member teams
• Problem-solving areas

Machinery & Equipment systems– skid-steer loaders
Energy systems
Structural systems

• Written exam will continue to include a 5-point thank-you letter
• Caps, entry fees, and other areas of concern

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Agricultural Mechanics Committee

Tractor Technician CDE Update

Invitational CDE’s Updates

Summer Workshops Updates

• SHSU
• SFASU
• SWT
• TSU
• Texas Tech
• TAMU - Kingsville
• TAMU – Commerce
• TAMU
• Other sites

Business & industry sponsored workshops – Kubota, Kohler, B&S, TSTC, etc.

Planning for the Professional Development Conference

Monday Swap Shop

Committee Meeting

Wednesday workshops

Thursday welding certification

General Discussion and Keeping the List Current

Adjourn

Members present: Dr. Billy Harrell (SHSU), Marlin Priddy (TSU), Dr. Kyle McGregor (TSU), Kenny Cockerell (II), Joe Hanke (III), Freddie Engelbrecht (III), Alan Read (IV), Mike Jackson (IV), Mike Teague (VI), Don Henson (VII), Barry Choate (VIII), Charles Nichols (IX), Michelle Davis (X), Rick Ford (X), Dr.. Dwayne Pavelock (SHSU), Dr. Bob Williams (TAMU-Commerce), Jerome Tymrak (TAMU-Kingsville), James Bevel (II), Terry Phillips (TEA), a TAMU-Commerce graduate student, Kirk Edney (IMS).

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Introductions were made. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as received.

Dr. Harrell confirmed that the State Tractor Technician CDE was completed on Monday, March 10. Results were Abernathy 1^st, Teague 2^nd, and Brazos 3^rd. A young lady was the high point individual.

Joe Hanke said that the state CDE had been good preparation for the national event. Rick Ford felt that Texas had always been represented well at the national event. Dr. Muller said that Texas teams had generally placed 5^th or higher since the systems approach was initiated. Michelle Davis felt that the state CDE was a good reflection of the Area events.

Mike Teague stated that the National CDE website is a good reference for his teams. Don Henson felt that this might be a good year to follow the parameters outlined in the National Event Theme. Freddie Engelbrecht moved that, for the 2003 event, Texas adopt the National FFA Event Theme of Dairy Processing Systems as our pattern. Don Henson seconded the motion. After some discussion, the motion passed. This information is available at the national FFA Ag Mech. CDE website http://www.missouri.edu/~pavt0689/natcon.html. Rick Ford felt the CDE should probably focus on electric motors, controls, and sensors in the Energy area, and plumbing in the Structures area, but the service providers present did not comment on these specifics. The event will continue to be curriculum driven, and Agriscience 221 – Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics is the focus course for basic skills and competencies. Dr. Harrell said that Caterpillar would provide CAT 246 skid-steer loaders for the Area IX, SHSU Invitational, and State CDE’s. Dr. McGregor said that Areas IV & VIII will use New Holland loaders. Student PDA’s and cell phones will not be allowed at the Area IV & VIII CDE. Exam questions and skills will be developed to be generic in nature.

A discussion followed regarding the use of graphing calculators in the CDE. High school students are familiar with graphing calculators, and these are used on the TAKS statewide assessment. Texas Instruments will provide 10 – 15 TI 83+ calculators for use in this year’s CDE. It was seen that the incorporation of graphing calculators and continued emphasis on real-world applications would enhance the value of our CDE.

Dr. Muller has ordered the caps for the state CDE in may, and they will cost $10 each. The SHSU Ag Mech. Club maintains the funds of the Texas Agricultural Mechanics Committee, and invites any interested parties to "audit" these funds and expenditure records at any time. Cap payment can be made at the same time as entry fees. "Collector item" caps from 2001 and 2002 are still available.

A discussion followed regarding the use of contest fees. Terry Phillips agreed to discuss how TAMU handles the $30 per team entry fee. The CDE continues to have expenses above and beyond what the $10 fee will cover. Don Henson moved to recommend to the state CDE committee that we charge an additional lab fee for consumable supplies staring with the 2004 CDE. Mike Jackson seconded the motion, and the motion was voted on and passed. This issue will be carried to the State CDE Committee at their 2004 meeting. Freddie Engelbrecht moved that each team qualifying for the state Ag Mech. CDE pay an additional $30 lab fee in 2003, payable at the CDE. Mike Jackson seconded the motion. Discussion centered on area committee members informing the qualifying teams. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn with approval of the second. This would have resulted in a $70 per team total cost.

Marlin Priddy aired concerns regarding the availability of student help and adequate travel funds. The idea of using 2 teacher helpers per area was forwarded with good buy-in. Committee members are responsible for recruiting 2 teachers per area to help with the CDE.

The Teacher’s Swap Shop will be held 2 – 4 p.m. on Monday July 28, 2003. Dr. Harrell suggested that Kirk Edney draft 5 – 6 teachers to present at the swap shop. Suggested topics are Developing Local and County Agricultural Mechanics Project Shows and Tractor Restoration.

Wednesday workshops will be held on July 30, 2003. This year’s workshops will be:

DPS regulations, TxDOT Inspections & Safety considerations

County-level Ag Mech. Shows – how to conduct, judges insights, etc.

Painting procedures & processes – B&I rep from PPG or somewhere, good follow-up from last

"Always Wanted to Train an Ag Mech. Team? Well, Here’s How." Focus on the 2004 CDE

Thursday welding certification workshop – Kirk Edney will contact VRJC about the Wichita Falls campus and related opportunities. Barry Choate suggested that welding certification might be a good topic for a 1-½ hour workshop some summer, rather than a ½ day certification workshop.

The June mini-workshop coordinated by TAMU and conducted at a high school will probably cover the Tractor Technician CDE, Plumbing Skills, and Using and Applying the TI 83+ graphing calculator. Kirk Edney will provide more information later.

The next meeting will be May 2, 2003 at 10:00 at the Agricultural Engineering Research Building on the West Campus at TAMU. Holding the winter meeting in conjunction with the HLSR seemed to be convenient to most participants. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.