Fostering the Future of Production Agriculture
Before the crowd of corduroy jackets arrived in Indianapolis for the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo, FFA alumni had the chance to return to the city for the New Century Farmer Conference.
From July 18-22, 2026, Indianapolis welcomed the New Century Farmer Conference, where a select group of 18- to 24-year-old FFA alumni met with peers and industry professionals to learn and network.
“It’s an opportunity, particularly for those involved in production agriculture, to make better industry connections and connect with their peers who are in similar positions,” said Savannah Mauk, a Michigan FFA alumnus.
Since 1998, New Century Farmer has brought together aspiring and proven agriculturalists for interactive workshops, panel discussions and networking conversations focused on emerging innovations, business strategies, personal leadership, farm economics and a range of topics related to production agriculture.
“There are people in the world that actually care about the next generation of producers,” says Ian Schiller, a high school graduate from the West Point FFA Chapter in Nebraska. “They think about how we can increase the volume of agriculture and make it more important to society.”
Whether planning a career in production agriculture, running their own operation or returning to the family farm, New Century Farmer equips attendees with knowledge to advance their careers and strengthen their communities. Participants leave the event with a business vision statement to help them advance their careers.
“Even after your time in FFA as a member is over, you still have an opportunity to learn more and stay engaged,” says Sam Mell, a former member of the DeForest FFA Chapter in Wisconsin.
The 2027 New Century Farmer Conference will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, July 17-21, with applications opening December 15, 2026.
