An extensive set of classroom keys rattle in the doorknob. No students huddle to push inside because of the early hour. Tiffany Kauffman juggles an armful of tools essential for a successful day including a steaming cup of morning caffeination. When she flips the light switch on with her elbow, she smiles. Anticipation and contentment fill her heart as she surveys the scene of her daily pursuit: showing her students how to discover “open doors” as the agricultural education instructor for the Nixa FFA chapter. 

Tiffany, an FFA alumni herself, is prepared for her life’s work. With 23 years of experience and a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, Tiffany still explores doors of opportunity so she can continue to grow professionally and personally. Tiffany is not just teaching; she is shaping the future.

Roots in Agricultural Education

Tiffany grew up on her family’s farm near Houston in #Agri-Ready Designated Texas County. Initially, Tiffany was not interested in agriculture education, or as teenage Tiffany described it, the “cows, sows, and plows thing.” But, with inspiration from educators in two generations of her family, a final push from her dad who was a vocational agriculture teacher, and the local FFA advisor, she gave it try. 

It wasn’t long before she had found her niche with Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects, was competing in multiple contests, and was stepping into leadership roles as an FFA officer. Her FFA leadership experience culminated in serving on the Missouri FFA state officer team in 1998-99. “I showed Limousin cattle everywhere and hogs at our county fair. We had sheep and goats on the farm as well. I earned my State and American FFA Degrees by doing projects with animals that I raised at home on the farm,” Tiffany recalls. She served on the editorial board for the FFA New Horizons magazine, maintaining her momentum as she pursued her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

An Ideal to Live and Work By

“My FFA Advisor, Mr. Long, instilled ideals in me that I still apply in my classroom today. I don’t ask my students to do things I’m not willing to do. I apply for learning experiences, interviews, and awards, just like I encourage them to do,” Tiffany shares. This commitment to leading by example led her to apply for the 2024 Missouri Farm Bureau Impact Leadership Initiative. 

“Through the academy experience I have enjoyed learning more about Missouri Farm Bureau, other state Farm Bureaus, and taking agricultural tours. Our group focused on thought-leadership conversations about building and strengthening rural communities,” Tiffany describes. “I learned things that I can bring directly back and apply in my classroom and as an advocate for rural Missouri.”

Tiffany wants her students to understand that serving and giving back to agriculture is important. As a member of the Wright County Farm Bureau Board, she serves as the Promotion and Education chairperson. She also chairs the Professional Development committee for the Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (MVATA). She is an active member of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). Through these roles, Tiffany exemplifies her dedication to serving the agricultural community and inspiring her students to do the same.

Seeking New Experiences

This past summer, Tiffany participated in the Missouri Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives State Tour as well as the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Teacher Externship . Both experiences offered invaluable opportunities for Tiffany to explore agribusinesses and deepen her knowledge of the agricultural industry, insights she eagerly shares with her students. Tiffany is enthusiastic about forging connections that benefit both her and her students as they learn and grow together for the future. “I love showing my students opportunities. The things they experience through classes, SAEs, tours, or field trips can become more open doors of opportunity for them. I love taking them places to do things and participate in things that they ever knew existed,” Tiffany said.

Facilitating Opportunities

Tiffany supports her students’ opportunity to grow as presenters and speakers by facilitating their participation in Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves) program. Pro-active Nixa FFA students had previously implemented an afterschool program, but did not have any partners to provide resources or support. Tiffany’s students took the initiative to utilize Ag Moves after learning about the program at FFA Camp. 

Ag Moves shows elementary students how their lives are intertwined with agriculture through ten hands-on learning and STEM-focused lessons which align with state learning objectives in science, math, social studies, and language arts. The curriculum and materials are provided at no cost to schools through the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. Now beginning their third semester as Ag Moves FFA partner educators, Nixa FFA students are teaching more than 100 students at Mathews Elementary and hope to expand their reach to more of Nixa’s seven elementary campuses. 

“The kids’ personal growth and outreach is exciting. I have 20 students interested in teaching Ag Moves in classrooms this year. Our kids have the endorsement of the Mathews campus principal to encourage other administrators to welcome Ag Moves to their campuses,” Tiffany notes. 

The Next Door to Knock On

The Nixa FFA Chapter travels to Indianapolis in October to be recognized during the 97th National FFA Convention as a 3-star National Chapter. This recognition follows their state ranking as being in the top 30 among Missouri FFA’s 362 chapters. These two placings declare Nixa FFA in the top four percent of FFA chapters nationwide for excellence in activities and leadership. 

“For a chapter that is only three years old, this ranking is quite an accomplishment! Our kids hope to improve upon these standings and have a goal of becoming a ‘Model of Innovation’ chapter,” Tiffany shares. To accomplish these goals, Tiffany and her students will continue to hone their writing and application skills together.

Rural Living

Tiffany and her husband, Randy, enjoy gardening and their Great Pyrenees dogs as part of their rural lifestyle near Mansfield in #Agri-Ready Designated Wright County. They have two grown children and two awesome grandkids. Tiffany is excited that she gets to be their “young, hip ‘RaRa (grandma)’”.

Agri-Ready Designated Wright County

According to the 2021 Missouri Economic Contribution of Agriculture and Forestry Study, Wright County’s agricultural economy contributes $50 million in value added products, more than 1,700 jobs and $60.9 million to household incomes within the county’s communities.

Wright County is one of 73 Agri-Ready Designated Counties in Missouri that are embracing agricultural opportunity, literacy, and economic development. The Agri-Ready County Designation program connects counties with Missouri Farmers Care to encourage and protect agriculture and secure it as a thriving component in our state’s economic future. Missouri Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri’s farming and agriculture community to stand together for the men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our communities depend.

Missouri FFA, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, and the Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives organization are partners of Missouri Farmers Care.