National FFA Convention

This past weekend wrapped up the 86th National FFA Convention held at the Kentucky Expo Center. More than 50 thousand young men and women attended this year’s convention where the theme was “Ignite”. The first session opened with words familiar to those who have attended national, state, or even local chapter FFA meetings: “FFA members, why are we here?” Those attending each have their own individual reasons for being there - for becoming FFA members, but there is one common goal that resonates with all FFA members and that is to continually improve and expand the face of agriculture while promoting the importance of agriculture around the globe. Originally founded in Kansas City in 1928 the FFA has come to embody everything that first group of young farmers envisioned - an organization dedicated to “preparing future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population”. Interestingly, FFA receives no federal funding, its programs are funded through sponsorships and private donations at the local, state and national level. FFA has also managed to keep its national dues for each member at a low $7 per year, assuring that a desire to join is not impeded by financial hardship.