First-time attendee at the National FFA Convention & Expo appreciated seeing many hands-on and learning activities many colleges and companies were offering. In fact, it may have solidified a career option for the Bloomer FFA Chapter in Wisconsin member.
Learn more about what he thought about his first experience with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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Nearly 70,000 FFA members are in Indianapolis, Indiana for the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo. For some, it may initially be overwhelming. After exploring the opportunities available at the Expo, in addition to agriculture-related tours, two Wisconsin FFA Stanley Boyd members are now motivated and excited to continue learning about opportunities in the organization.
Hear the interview from Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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A record-breaking $28.7 million was raised this past year by the National FFA Foundation because of many multi-year commitments and passionate individuals wanting to contribute to FFA members from across the nation, says National FFA Foundation Executive Director of Development Jim Williams.
Give FFA Day was record-breaking as well in 2023, with hopes of continued momentum for 2024’s day happening February 24 Williams says. He shares more about why it was a record breaking year and hopes for this year’s campaign that started October 1 with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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Lauren Homan of the New Bremen FFA Chapter in Ohio is an assistant herdsman at her family’s dairy farm, an operation raising 480 Holstein cows and 400 heifers. Her work started with feeding calves and has grown to taking care of calves, heifers, and dairy cows. Homan works with the manure press system as well, cleaning, greasing and pressing at the right speed to make dry bedding for the cows. She is supported by her parents, Tanya and Gregory, and her FFA advisor, Maria Homan.
Lauren Homan shares more of her story with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.
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Service is an essential part of every FFA member’s experience in the organization. The Cedar Bluff FFA Chapter from Alabama showcased their service projects at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo.
“We are teaching our members that “to live fruitfully is to serve.”” Wise words from Cedar Bluff FFA Vice President Caitlin Helmey. She and another Cedar Bluff Member and District Officer Harley Miller shared about two impactful service projects they have been a part of.
Broadcast Intern Hannah Whetstone shares their story.
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Gen. Jim Bauerle, a retired one-star general in the U.S. Army, is spending his week at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo recruiting students to join the service. FFA members visiting the U.S. Army booth have the opportunity to speak with Golden Knights, experiment with robots, handle materials from the Marksmanship Unit, try their hand at boxing challenges, take photos on a U.S. Army Orange County Chopper, and test their strength in the fitness challenge.
Learn more about opportunities in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve for students with agriculture industry career aspirations during an interview with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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For the sixth year in a row, the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters received the Outstanding FFA Alumni and Supports State Association Award. It recognizes states’ work in growing quality programs.
This award is judged on a state’s efforts in local FFA Alumni and Supporters chapter development and retention, FFA Alumni and Supporters member benefits, advocacy, Team Ag Ed and business operations. Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters received this year’s award for actively supporting students and teachers. In Wisconsin, sectional representatives are essential for maintaining chapters by hosting yearly sectional meetings. The association also distributed $28,000 in matching chapter leadership grants and $8,000 in scholarships for 14 FFA members to attend the Washington Leadership Conference. The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team also presented a workshop titled “Who’s Missing in the FFA Alumni and Supporters?” at their state alumni convention. This allowed attendees to evaluate how FFA Alumni and Supporters, including all members, make an impact.
Other Alumni and Supports awards included the Outstanding FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter Award to Northview FFA Alumni Supporters in Florida and Outstanding Corporate FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter Award to Syngenta FFA Alumni and Supporters.
Two Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters board members speak with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler about why it’s important to connect with FFA members and what the award means to them.
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Kyelynn Coombe of the Joliet FFA Chapter in Montana started her project in 2006 when her parents gave her one polled Hereford cow. Since then, she has increased her herd to include 131 females and three bulls. She has 38 yearling heifers in her parents’ feedlot. Her project goal is to have 140 cows, make more money than it costs to raise them, sell 20 bred
heifers, sell 20 bulls in a genetics bull sale, and produce the best registered Simmental and Angus cattle. Coombe is supported by her parents, Kelli and Chris, and her FFA advisor, Chad Massar.
The former Montana FFA State Sentinel and young producer caught up with Broadcast Desk Intern Hannah Whetstone to share her story.
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Stillwater FFA of Oklahoma was named the 2023 Model of Excellence. One activity taught farm fire safety by connecting members to their local fire department during a hands-on learning demonstration at the school farm. Members learned how to use a fire extinguisher as well as teamwork to fight fires and signed a pledge to practice fire safety. The chapter hosted fourth graders for a day where the children learned about animal handling practices, smoking bees, food safety and supporting agriculture. The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are
rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Ryne Crosthwait and Trinity Blosch in addition to Kyrland Beard are FFA members who contributed to planning and leading some of the award winning activities. Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler hears more from Crosthwait and Blosch on how the activities rose to success.
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Brant Failes of the Cherokee FFA Chapter in Oklahoma began his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) with a small commercial cow herd, a bull and 20 rented acres of wheat farm ground. He has expanded his program to include replacement heifers, meat goats, bottle calves, 120 acres of farm ground and 35 acres of grass pasture. He pays cash rent for the 120 total acres of wheat ground and for the equipment he uses. Failes is supported by his parents, Gayla and David, and his FFA advisor, Christy Snider.
Brant shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.
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