Author: Alan McAllister

Agricultural Communications Editing Quiz
Contestant Name: ____________________________________________ Score: ____________

Instructions: Twenty-five words or phrases are underlined in the news release below. Some are correct and others contain errors. Indicate in the spaces to the right if the words or phrases area correct (C) or incorrect (I). If they are incorrect, correct them using standard editing marks or other clear marks indicating your edits. You may find errors related to grammar, punctuation, word usage, spelling or other Associated Press Stylebook issues.

For Immediate Release Contact: Julie Adams
October 20, 2009 ww.rfdtv.com
FFA Float Will Connect With Millions on New Year’s Day
INDIANAPOLIS.— On the morning of January 1, 2010 the National FFA Organization1 will make contact with an estimated 42 million people in the United States, and more then 100 million people worldwide,2 through participation in the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade. Television viewers settled into watch this New Year’s Day tradition will witness history being made, as the first-ever FFA float in the Rose Parade not only makes its way down Orange and Colorado Boulevards3 before the crowds in Pasadena, but into the living rooms, and in to the hearts, of families watching at home.4 On and surrounding the float will be the 2009-2010 National FFA Officer Team, National FFA Advisor Dr. Larry Case and the four Stars Over America, along with 52 invited FFA presidents5 from every U.S. state, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
The float FFA Today is one of the largest6 in the parade, at 75 feet long, 30 feet tall and 18 feet wide.7 It features three gigantic sculptures depicting FFA members engaging in agricultural, educational and development activities. The float will further be highlighted by several elements from the FFA emblem, each with a signifigant meaning.8 Alongside the emblem are a sleek horse, a combine, barn and windmill, a stand of evergreens, a grove of fruit trees, finally urban buildings and a communications satellite9 – contrasting with the rural features to display the scope of FFA activities. The float is designed to represent all FFA members, past and present, aswell as portray10 a most
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positive image of agriculture into rural, suburban and urban-based homes. In addition to more than 10,000 fresh flowers, the float will be decorated by FFA members with commodities grown by the American framer, including corn, wheat, soybeans, and cotton.11
All of the FFA float costs and expenses for this major communications effort are being underwritten entirely by RFD-TV and the Sponsors and Advertisers associated12 with RFD-TV’s live broadcast of the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade and Equestfest. The float also promotes and ties in with the weekly, half-hour FFA news magazine program13 on RFD-TV. “When we first learned of the 2010 Rose Parade theme, “A Cut Above The Rest,” we immediately thought of FFA, and saw this as a opportunity14 to not only pay tribute to the world’s premiere youth organization, but at the same time to also
showcase FFA activities15 on a world stage in this continuing effort to connect and educate the urban world about the positive aspects of rural America”, stated Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV. “This is a tremindous opportunity to communicate16 the FFA message to the world,” added Bill Stagg, communications director for the National FFA Organization. “The float is beautiful, and it will be a beacon of pride for all associated with FFA. The opportunity to assemble so many FFA leaders in one place at one time has never happened before outside of our annual convention. What a way to start a new decade!17
The Tournament of Roses Parade is simultaneously carried live or on tape delay by six national or cable television networks in the United States (ABC, NBC, HGTV, Univision, RFD-TV/RFD HD, KTLA) and begins at 11 a.m. (Eastern time).18 The parade will also be distributed into more than 110 countries around the world. Extensive print and radio media cover the events and floats leading up to the parade and the afternoon Rose Bowl football game. It’s anticipated that interview19 opportunities for FFA will also materialize with outlets such as the Today Show with Al Roker, KTLA, and other media.
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“Never before has their been a chance21 to showcase FFA to the entire country, and project the good work being done by young leaders in agriculture, on so many prime media outlets at once,” said Raquel Gottsch, public relations director for RFD-TV. “From day one, RFD-TVs primary goal22 has been to find common ground for urban, rural and suburban residents again. The Rose Parade provided a platform to the world.23 This is going to be good for FFA and the entire agriculture industry; it will take agricultural communications to a whole new level”. In addition to its regular live production and broadcast of the 2-hour Tournament of Roses Parade24 hosted by Crook & Chase along with Pam Minick, RFD-TV will also air a one-hour special on the “Making of the FFA Float” beginning at 10 a.m. (Eastern time), and will repeat the entire three-hour Rose Parade broadcast set several times during the first week of Jan. 25 There will also be a live Web feed of the float being built and decorated on the www.rfdtv.com Web site, plus “Float Updates” on the channel.
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