Planning My Career Pathway at a Next Gen Conference
Three times a year, the National FFA Organization hosts Next Gen conferences for members to explore in-demand career pathways. In March 2026, Cale Peachey, a member of the Barnwell County Career Center FFA in South Carolina, attended the first conference of 2026 in Raleigh, N.C.
“I applied to attend the FFA Next Gen conference because I wanted to grow as a leader while learning more about the many career opportunities within the agriculture industry,” Peachey says. “I enjoy meeting new people, hearing different perspectives and challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone, so the conference seemed like an incredible opportunity.”
Peachey was one of 72 members from across the country to attend the conference for hands-on learning opportunities focused on power, structural and technical systems.
“One of the biggest highlights was connecting with students from across the country who share similar passions for agriculture and leadership,” he says. “I also enjoyed hearing from industry professionals and participating in discussions that challenged me to think about the future of agriculture in new ways.”
Hands-On Field Trips
During the conference, students toured the John Deere Turf Care plant and BASF facilities, where they heard from employees about careers in the agriculture industry. At the John Deere Turf Care plant, an employee panel shared how they design equipment that can withstand heavy loads while remaining as light as possible. Students then built a product using the same parameters.
“It was incredible to see the level of innovation, technology and teamwork involved behind the scenes. At John Deere Turf Care, I enjoyed learning about the engineering and precision that goes into equipment production,” Peachey says. “BASF gave me insight into the research and science that support agriculture. Both tours showed me how much dedication and collaboration it takes to keep the agriculture industry moving forward.”
Beyond the tours, the conference also gave students a clearer understanding of how technical skills, communication and leadership work together to solve real-world challenges across the agriculture industry.
“The conference helped shape my career aspirations by opening my eyes to the variety of opportunities available within agriculture and leadership,” he says. “It encouraged me to continue pursuing opportunities where I can serve others, lead with purpose and make a positive impact while staying open-minded and continuing to learn from those around me.”
Your Next Move
Apply to attend an upcoming Next Gen conference, which offers opportunities to map out future careers through exploration sessions, industry roundtable discussions and tours.
