r By Ashley TruscottrEvery year, FFA members nationwide converge in Indianapolis, Indiana to celebrate their accomplishments and find inspiration for their next steps. Motivational keynote speakers, energetic concerts, fulfilling workshops and a sweeping expo floor bustling with agricultural education and industry opportunities covering a vast expanse of career pathways provide a relevant, validated educational standards experience. It is held every year in the fall.
To start out the trip to the National FFA Convention, members from Springville FFA were able to visit and get a tour. While there, they were able to see how to milk cows, and piglets being born. Including the candy factory tour at Abbott’s Candies, where they welcomed the chapter with warm arms, or carmels.
As part of the convention, we had one of our very own–Jaynee Giffing–step onto the national stage and give a prepared speech about the importance of proper labeling on food products. After preparing for several months, she was able to compete on a national level and was chosen as one of the top 4 in the nation. She ultimately was named 3rd Runner-up.
To add even more excitement to their trip, students went to a Chris LeDoux and Garth Brooks concert. They were able to see everything up close and personal because they were only 4 rows from the stage.
The National FFA Convention gives FFA members an opportunity to increase their leadership abilities by attending leadership workshops, the Career & Expo show, and meet members from all over the United States. There is even an FFA Mall where our FFA members were able to find lots of FFA clothes, look around and buy some pretty cool stuff. They got many different things from animal supplies to zucchini. They also had the chance to talk to people from chapters all over the country.
At the leadership workshop, they heard from women in FFA discuss the importance of women in FFA, and the big role that they play in it. In the expo, they walked around and tried new things, explored various agricultural careers, and talked with several colleges about the programs they offer.
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. It develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. Through the National Convention, our members were able to learn and be inspired to do more.
