The 94th National Future Farmers of America (FFA) convention was held Oct. 27-31 in Indianapolis, Indiana. There were approximately 60,000 students in attendance from across the nation, including a group from Webster County. Students from local schools were there to represent their chapters, compete, and make lifelong memories. Local schools that made the trip include Fordland, Conway, Marshfield, Niangua, Strafford, and Logan Rogersville schools.
FFA advisors from each school planned numerous agri-tourism opportunities to and from Indiana. Local FFA chapters toured cotton gins, swine operations, orchards, hatcheries, and robotic dairy farms to name a few. According to Fordland’s FFA Advisor, Clayton Tunnel. “All the tourism helped to broaden the students’ perspective on Agriculture across the U.S.”
The convention hosted a number of educational presentations, competitions, and award ceremonies. Students observed speeches made by National Officers, keynote speakers, chorus and band, along with attending the National FFA Career Expo and Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo.
The American FFA Degree, which is the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, was awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, community involvement, and monitored efforts exhibited throughout their FFA career. A handful of students from both Marshfield and Conway received their American FFA Degrees as well as becoming elected FFA officers. Conway had a big reason to celebrate with their very own Whitney Yerina placing third in the National Dairy Handlers Contest.
“I had such a great week at the National FFA Convention. I always enjoy spending time with my chapter and making new friends with those in other chapters too,” said Yerina. “I feel so blessed to have such amazing people at my side. Between achieving third at the National level and having peers and advisors that believe I can do anything, I had one of the best FFA Trips I will ever have.”
The opportunities that come with attending the national convention are endless for those interested in agriculture. Students witness success of all kinds, from small businesses, farms, and trades, to their very own peers. Niangua FFA Advisor, Cody Starnes hopes to inspire his chapter to always dream big.
“We attended the National FFA Convention American degree session, viewing students from around the world and Missouri achieve one of the highest laures to be won in our organization,” said Starnes. “I hope my students dream and realize that they too can one day walk along that stage and receive their degree as well.”
The 2022 National FFA Convention is scheduled for Oct. 26-29 and looks to be just as promising.
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