87TH Wisconsin FFA Convention kicks off

MADISON

The Wisconsin Association of FFA will celebrate 87 years of premier leadership, personal growth and career success at the Wisconsin FFA Convention in Madison June 13 to 16. The convention will attract over 3,000 members, advisors, parents, alumni, and sponsors to celebrate their year's success and support for students involved in agricultural education.

Wisconsin FFA is expecting record attendance at this year's annual convention. Members will participate in speaking contests, compete in various award areas, vote on items of FFA business, tour different businesses and industries, and meet new friends from all areas of the state.

On Monday, June 13, members will take part in the Eighth Annual Day of Service in the Madison area. Students will help make a difference in the local communities. Members will volunteer throughout the greater Madison area and collectively log more than 500 service hours at the City of Madison Parks, Community Action Coalition, Troy Gardens, Goodman Community Center, Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens, River Food Pantry and UW-Arboretum.

Other convention highlights include the Rally to Fight Hunger. Wisconsin FFA has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin to purchase ingredients in order to package individual sized meals. Chapters will be packaging the meals on Monday, June 13.

Wisconsin FFA is packaging 40,000 pounds of food for families in Wisconsin. Members will hear inspirational messages from keynote speakers including: Abbey Gretsch, National FFA Southern Region Vice President; Landan Schaffert, Motivational Speaker; Dave Roever, Motivational Speaker; and Sally Albers, State FFA President.

This week is a celebration of the student success and recognition of FFA activities conducted across the entire state of Wisconsin. FFA is making a positive difference in today's schools and communities. FFA members will be competing in state level competitions vying for opportunities to move on to national competition through the Agriscience Fair and speaking competitions. FFA members will meet and visit with numerous industry representatives through the Career Show on Wednesday, June 15. We will highlight some of the best of the best young leaders, entrepreneurs and agriculturists across the state of Wisconsin

'Students enrolled in agricultural education in Wisconsin schools and who are members of the FFA have a fantastic opportunity for leadership and career development,' said Wisconsin FFA Executive Director Cheryl Zimmerman. 'The Wisconsin FFA Convention is our opportunity to recognize the importance of the education to our society about agriculture and the achievement of young people who are the future leaders of the agriculture industry.'