FFA Members Prepare for Careers in Animal Systems Pathways

FFA Members Prepare for Careers in Animal Systems Pathways

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
Next week, 50 high school students from across the country will arrive in Kansas City, Mo., and explore careers in the animal systems industry. It’s all part of the NextGen conference, offered by the National FFA Organization.

The first of their kind, #FFANextGen focuses on specific pathways that high school students might be interested in. More than 150 students applied for the inaugural conference. Students are looking forward to a gaining access to new ideas, trends and opportunities that will connect them directly with industry leaders. The conference is designed specifically for juniors and seniors as a hands-on, industry-relevant experience.

“We heard from our members that they wanted more opportunities to explore their next steps after high school. We developed the #FFANextGen conferences to get students out of the classroom and exploring their future careers,” said Kate Wehby, educational specialist with the National FFA Organization. “We’re excited to cultivate future leaders in the animal systems pathway through a week of experiential learning, relevant education, and networking.”

The first conference, scheduled for Feb. 18-23, will focus on animal systems. Throughout the week, students will hear about new and emerging ideas, trends and products in animal systems. They will explore diverse operations in animal systems, learn from industry leaders, and how to plan for their future careers and college plans. In addition, they will learn marketing, new technologies, and unique opportunities in animal systems. While attending the conference, participants will also experience field and operation tours around the Kansas City, Mo., area.

Students who have been chosen to attend the conference include:

Alabama:

Will Aycock, Albertville FFA

Arkansas:

Jordan Lloyd, Beebe FFA

California:

Kate Grimsman, Hamilton FFA

Kiley Andersen, Sebastopol FFA

Maddy Nissen, Willows FFA

Madison Hargis, Clovis FFA

Delaware:

Allison Wahlsten, Caesar Rodney FFA

Iowa:

Addison Randall, Louisa-Muscatine FFA

Idaho:

Shay Young, Jerome FFA

Indiana:

Matthew McMillan, Southern Wells FFA

Kansas:

Macy Rickard, Pike Valley High School FFA

Bridget Kucan, Holton FFA

Louisiana

Kennedy Christmas, Iberville MSA West FFA

Abby Wulf, Crowley FFA

Maryland:

Zack Backer, CTC FFA

Michigan:

Leah Irion, Laker FFA

Minnesota:

Nicole Freerksen, LeRoy-Ostrander FFA

Missouri:

Katilin Kleiboeker Pierce City FFA

Lauryn Robnett, Audrain Co R-IV FFA

Issac Rhode, East Buchanan FFA

Luke Vaughn, Marceline FFA

Shelby Stille, Mongomery County R-II FFA Chapter

MacKenzie Lewis, Ashland FFA

Cade Shepherd, Mt. Vernon FFA

Mississippi:

Marlee Turner, Kossuth FFA

Montana:

Morgan Ward, Denton FFA

North Dakota:

Shelby Meckle, Center FFA

Nebraska:

Emily Kerbs, Norris FFA

Nevada:

Mackenzie Kephart, Moapa Valley FFA

Ohio:

Kyra Davidson, Felicity-Franklin FFA

Madisen Jolliff, Ridgemont FFA

Alex Linder, Western Reserve FFA

Katelyn Wallace, A.B. Graham Ohio Hi-Point

Tennessee:

Madison Jones, Cookeville FFA

Haley Grisham, North Knox FFA

Daylin Hunt, Watertown FFA

Texas:

Ryan Gibson, Livingston FFA

Virginia:

Megan Day, C.L. Payne FFA

Washington:

Harley Holman, Yelm FFA

Lyssa Killgo, Burlington-Edison

Wisconsin:

Matthew Fischer, Owen Withee FFA

Tessa Gehri, Wonewoc Center FFA

Cortney Zimmerman, Spencer FFA

Taylor VonBehren, DeForest FFA

Emma Hamilton, Adams-Friendship FFA

Gabby Wohlrab, Wonewoc-Center FFA

Mikayla Fox, Poynette FFA

Barbara Dittrich, Cochrane-Fountain City FFA

Emily Dahlke, Adams-Friendship FFA

West Virginia:

Creed Ammons, Tyler FFA Chapter

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 700,000 student members who belong to one of the more than 8,600 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by more than 8 million alumni and supporters throughout the U.S.

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