SAINT PAUL — More than 3,500 FFA members gather for the 89th Minnesota FFA Convention at the University of Minnesota (UMN).
Fourteen FFA members completed interviews to serve as state officers for the Minnesota FFA during the 2018-2019 year. The six-member team will be announced during the fourth general session at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 24.
Workshops began for students as they arrived for convention. The UMN Agricultural Education department hosted an invitation-only “Change Lives: Teach Ag Ed” workshop. Campus organizations provided displays for FFA members with student representatives whom they can interact with. Additionally, Temple Grandin, a biography, was shown in the St. Paul Student Center.
First-year agricultural education students competed in the annual Best Informed Greenhand competition, sponsored by ACH Seeds. Winners of the contest will be announced during the fourth general session on Tuesday.
The Minnesota Farm Bureau hosted the annual discussion meet competition. Thirteen students participated in the contest and addressed topics including career opportunities in agriculture and efficient farming stewardship. Winners of the discussion meet will be announced at the fourth general session on Tuesday.
The convention officially began with the talent show and reflection program at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the UMN campus. Lydia Rigge from the Redwood Valley FFA chapter received top honors with her talent act.
State Vice President, Emily Pliscott, delivered her retiring address, “You’re Welcome,” and encouraged students to make people feel wanted, accepted and cherished. The 2017-2018 Minnesota FFA State Officer team concluded the session explaining what this year’s theme means to them.
Visit mnffa.org for more details about the 89th Minnesota FFA convention. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or watch the general sessions youtube.com/minnesotaffa
— Minnesota FFA
For more news from Minnesota, click here.