Next Gen: A Glimpse Into the Future of Agriculture
Findings are based on post-conference student survey responses collected at the 2020 Animal Systems conference (Kansas City, Mo.) and the 2022 Plant Systems conference (St. Louis, Mo.). Attendees also rated each site and speaker via the post-conference survey.
Key Points
- 100% of Animal Systems and 98% of Plant Systems attendees experienced tours that made them consider a career in the field.
- Nearly all attendees said they discovered practical employability skills, with 100% of Plant Systems and 96% of Animal Systems members agreeing.
- The 2020 Kansas City conference (Animal Systems) drew 50 attendees and the 2022 St. Louis conference (Plant Systems) drew 45 attendees.
- 96% of members at both conferences reported networking with students from diverse backgrounds and shared interests.
- The Next Gen Conferences met their intended learning outcomes, supporting FFA's mission of premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.
The Next Gen Conferences are a series of career-focused conferences centered around each of the eight Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Pathways.1
The most beneficial experience I had at the [Next Gen] conference was the persistent [advice] to do what I love and to find my why. I needed to be pushed to reach my full potential.
Next Gen participant (2022)
The National FFA Organization grows the next generation of leaders who will change the world.
These future leaders can make a tangible impact on the problems facing the world and agriculture. National FFA uses conferences, workshops and other experiences to cultivate premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in FFA members. The FFA Next Generation (Next Gen) Conference equips students with the knowledge and skills to interest and prepare them for future careers in agriculture.
The first Next Gen conference was held in Kansas City, Mo., in Feb. 2020. FFA members were immersed in experiences related to animal systems careers. The COVID-19 global pandemic halted plans for the conference series in 2021, but the Next Gen conference made a triumphant return in June 2022. This time FFA members traveled to St. Louis, Mo., and explored potential careers in plant systems. This document focuses on the experiences FFA members had at these two conferences and how what they learned will help them grow to be the next generation of leaders who will change the world.
Next Gen Conferences: Then and Now
| 2020 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Career Pathway | Animal Systems | Plant Systems |
| # of attendees | 50 attendees | 45 attendees |
| Conference Location | Kansas City, Mo. | St. Louis, Mo. |
| Top-rated site | Calving and reproduction demonstration | Missouri Botanical Gardens |
| Gender of attendees | 39 females, 11 males | 28 females, 16 males, 1 non-binary individual |
Attendees rated each site and speaker via a post-conference survey.
Learning to Do: Acquiring Knowledge at Next Gen Conferences
Results are from the Next Gen conference student survey responses in 2020 (Animal Systems) and 2022 (Plant Systems).
- I have experienced tours that have made me think about a career: 100% (Animal), 98% (Plant)
- I have experienced speakers that have made me think about a career: 96% (Animal), 98% (Plant)
- I have learned of trends within the industry: 94% (Animal), 83% (Plant)
- I have learned of issues within the industry: 96% (Animal), 80% (Plant)
- I have learned of innovations within the industry: 94% (Animal), 98% (Plant)
What FFA members say was the most beneficial experience they had at Next Gen…
Getting out of my comfort zone to go talk to people I have never met. It was an incredible experience.
I think the most beneficial thing [about the Next Gen Conference] was learning more about the industry and what qualifications are needed to get a solid job.
I have finally been able to decide what I would like to do for my future and [the Next Gen Conference] gave me the ability to meet with future employers.
Meeting amazing people from other states and being able to connect with people who are just like me but also very different.
Employability Skills and Diverse Connections
Almost all FFA members at the animal systems and plant systems conferences said they have discovered employability skills and learned with other students from diverse backgrounds.
- I have discovered practical employability skills that will help me in the future: 100% (Plant), 96% (Animal)
- I have learned with other students from diverse backgrounds and shared interests: 100% (Plant), 96% (Animal)
- I have networked with other students from diverse backgrounds and shared interests: 96% (Plant), 96% (Animal)
Ready for what’s next: The National FFA mission
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. After taking industry tours, speaking with industry professionals, learning about career paths within animal and plant systems, and networking with other students from diverse backgrounds and shared interests, FFA members indicated that the Next Gen conferences in 2020 and 2022 met the intended learning outcomes for members. These learning outcomes allow for personal growth and career development of FFA members, furthering the National FFA Organization’s mission and demonstrating that FFA members are ready for what’s next.
The Next Gen Conference was an excellent opportunity for my student (and myself)! The tours were my favorite part. I highly recommend this conference to other FFA members! Advisors attending will also benefit from the conference.
Next Gen chaperone (2022)
Footnotes
- The National AFNR Content Standards provide state agricultural education leaders and educators with a high-quality, rigorous set of standards to guide what students should know and be able to do after completing a program of study in each of the AFNR career pathways. (2022, The National Council for Agricultural Education).
