National FFA Convention brings FFA members from all over the USA
Each year, nearly 55,000 FFA members and guests gather to learn about careers in the agriculture industry, compete for scholarships, volunteer in the community and shape the future of the National FFA Organization.
From the FFA Convention blog, some tidbits of interest:
Apply for Success – College Tips 101
The college application process marks a milestone in every student’s life, but with the excitement sometimes comes worry, confusion and stress. A few undergrads representing their schools during the Collegiate and Alumni Career Fair at the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo shared a few words of wisdom to keep in mind throughout the application process, as well as after that acceptance letter is in your hand. 
Erin Whittaker of Purdue University recommends that students adopt the “4,3,2,1” success plan: Aim to graduate in 4 years, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, spend at least 2 hours studying outside of the classroom for every credit hour you take and make sure to participate in at least 1 leadership organization during your time on campus.
“Make sure to be organized,” said Billy Hatfield of the University of Illinois. “Organization is important in applying for schools and scholarships, but it also makes things a lot easier after you get in.”
Protecting Your Harvest
For many members, owning and showing livestock is a huge part of their FFA involvement, not to mention a passion and hobby many choose to pursue outside of the organization. But what if it was now against the law to handle animals in a show ring, or even to use them for any agricultural pursuit?
It may sound a little far-fetched, but recent animal rights movements have already begun to make trouble in many production agriculture operations. States nation-wide have experienced increasing pressure to pass laws that ban the use of modern agricultural equipment and techniques, forcing farmers to drastically change their operations or get out of the business entirely. Many extremist groups use viral videos to help slander the job of agriculturalists, but organizations such as Protect the Harvest are here to defend and pass along the real story of agriculture.
Protect the Harvest strives to inform the general public about the importance of the American Farmer and the work they do.
“Whether it’s crop farming or livestock production, we are constantly under attack,” says Chris Chinn, a Missouri hog farmer and agriculture advocate who uses social media to help tell the story of her family farm. “We don’t think the voice we represent gets heard; the voice of the American Farmer is muted.”
4,000 Convention Attendees are Ready to Fight Hunger!
More than 4,000 spots have already been filled for the FFA Rally to Fight Hunger. Thank you to all of those who have already registered. The Rally will be a highlight of the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo, as members, advisors, alumni and guests will package one million meals October 24-26 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The FFA Rally to Fight Hunger is a convention-wide service event, to help feed children and adults suffering from food insecurity. This event is being launched as part of the organization’s Feeding the
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World–Starting at Home initiative. The Rally will engage up to 10,000 members, advisors, sponsors, local volunteers, and stakeholders from across the country, so there are still plenty of opportunities for you t
o register.
Fellowship of Christian Farmers is there, Telling the Greatest Story Ever Told
The Fellowship of Christian Farmers was on hand to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a receptive crowd of young FFA members and families. New this year was a display from Tanner Whitten Racing, where FFA members could test their skill at working in the pits changing a tire of a NASCAR race car.
FFA members from all over the United States listened intently to the Gospel presented by the many volunteers of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers.
Melvin Bell was on hand to wow them with puzzles containing the wordless message.
Present at the 2012 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis was Dane Rakestraw, Vice President of Sal
es for Keystone Wire and Steel. Keystone donated 11 tons of welded wire fencing and barbed wire, valued at $16,000, on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers to help Henryville, Indiana farmers recover from the March 2nd EF4 tornado. The Fellowship of Christian Farmers presented Dane with a framed photo containing a collage of images showing the delivery of the wire.
The National FFA Convention for 2013 will be in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, October 30 to November 2, 2013.