More than 8,000 FFA students and guests from across the state will converge in Columbia on April 19-20 for the 90th annual Missouri FFA Convention. The event plans to honor fellow members for outstanding achievements, conduct association business, elect new officers and participate in leadership workshops.
A total of 756 members will, as a result of their agricultural and leadership achievements, receive the state’s highest FFA degree during the two-day event at the University of Missouri’s Hearnes Center. According to Missouri FFA Executive Secretary Keith Dietzschold, Missouri has the largest number of American FFA Degree recipients of any state, as more than 500 Missouri FFA members received the American FFA Degree in 2017 during the national convention held in Indianapolis in October.
In addition, 620 FFA members will receive awards in 48 agricultural proficiency areas for development of their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. The proficiency areas are varied and include production, management and communications disciplines. In Missouri, SAE programs during the 2016-17 school year generated more than $52 million in student income.
FFA members will also participate in a number of organization program areas including speaking competitions and career development events such as agricultural sales, floriculture and livestock evaluation.
Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Parson will address attendees during the Thursday evening session, and Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn will speak during Thursday’s first session.
Also during the convention, Missouri FFA President Abby Bertz (Odessa R-VII) will lead 686 delegates in official business sessions. Each chapter is represented by two delegates. Two FFA chapters (Blair Oaks R-II and Grandview C-4) will be chartered during the Thursday evening session.
The Missouri FFA Association has 25,375 members, the sixth highest state membership in the U.S. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The mission of FFA and other Career and Technical Student Organizations supports Missouri’s Show-Me Success campaign, which is aimed at ensuring that every Missouri student graduates ready to succeed.
To see the convention event schedule, please visit the official program link here.