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Kristy Meyer
Marketing and Communications
National FFA Organization
KMeyer@FFA.org
317-802-4205
FFA Members Prepare for Careers in Animal Systems Pathways
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 13, 2019/National FFA Organization) – Next week, 50 high school students from across the country will arrive in Kansas City, Mo., and explore careers in the animal systems industry. It’s all part of the NextGen conference, offered by the National FFA Organization.
The first of their kind, #FFANextGen focuses on specific pathways that high school students might be interested in. More than 150 students applied for the inaugural conference. Students are looking forward to a gaining access to new ideas, trends and opportunities that will connect them directly with industry leaders. The conference is designed specifically for juniors and seniors as a hands-on, industry-relevant experience.
“We heard from our members that they wanted more opportunities to explore their next steps after high school. We developed the #FFANextGen conferences to get students out of the classroom and exploring their future careers,” said Kate Wehby, educational specialist with the National FFA Organization. “We’re excited to cultivate future leaders in the animal systems pathway through a week of experiential learning, relevant education, and networking.”
The first conference, scheduled for Feb. 18-23, will focus on animal systems. Throughout the week, students will hear about new and emerging ideas, trends and products in animal systems. They will explore diverse operations in animal systems, learn from industry leaders, and how to plan for their future careers and college plans. In addition, they will learn marketing, new technologies, and unique opportunities in animal systems. While attending the conference, participants will also experience field and operation tours around the Kansas City, Mo., area.
Students who have been chosen to attend the conference include:
| Alabama: | Mississippi: |
| Will Aycock, Albertville FFA | Marlee Turner, Kossuth FFA |
| Arkansas: | Montana: |
| Jordan Lloyd,Beebe FFA | Morgan Ward, Denton FFA |
| North Dakota: | |
| California: | Shelby Meckle, Center FFA |
| Kate Grimsman, Hamilton FFA | |
| Kiley Andersen, Sebastopol FFA | Nebraska: |
| Maddy Nissen, Willows FFA | Emily Kerbs, Norris FFA |
| Madison Hargis, Clovis FFA | |
| Nevada: | |
| Delaware: | Emily Kerbs, Norris FFA |
| Allison Wahlsten, Caesar Rodney FFA | |
| Ohio: | |
| Iowa: | Kyra Davidson, Felicity-Franklin FFA |
| Addison Randall, Louisa-Muscatine FFA | Madisen Jolliff, Ridgemont FFA |
| Alex Linder, Western Reserve FFA | |
| Idaho: | Katelyn Wallace, A.B. Graham Ohio Hi-Point |
| Shay Young, Jerome FFA | |
| Tennessee: | |
| Indiana: | Madison Jones, Cookeville FFA |
| Matthew McMillan, Southern Wells FFA | Haley Grisham, North Knox FFA |
| Daylin Hunt, Watertown FFA | |
| Kansas | |
| Macy Rickard, Pike Valley High School FFA | Texas: |
| Bridget Kucan, Holton FFA | Ryan Gibson, Livingston FFA |
| Louisiana: | Virginia: |
| Kennedy Christmas, Iberville MSA West FFA | Megan Day, C.L. Payne FFA |
| Abby Wulf, Crowley FFA | |
| Washington | |
| Maryland: | Harley Holman, Yelm FFA |
| Kennedy Christmas, Iberville MSA West FFA | Lyssa Killgo, Burlington-Edison |
| Michigan: | Wisconsin: |
| Leah Irion, Laker FFA | Matthew Fischer, Owen Withee FFA |
| Tessa Gehri, Wonewoc Center FFA | |
| Minnesota: | Cortney Zimmerman, Spencer FFA |
| Nicole Freerksen,LeRoy-Ostrander FFA | Taylor VonBehren, DeForest FFA |
| Emma Hamilton, Adams-Friendship FFA | |
| Missouri: | Gabby Wohlrab, Wonewoc-Center FFA |
| Katilin Kleiboeker Pierce City FFA | Mikayla Fox, Poynette FFA |
| Lauryn Robnett, Audrain Co R-IV FFA | Barbara Dittrich, Cochrane-Fountain City FFA |
| Issac Rhode, East Buchanan FFA | Emily Dahlke, Adams-Friendship FFA |
| Luke Vaughn, Marceline FFA | |
| Shelby Stille, Mongomery County R-II FFA Chapter | West Virginia: |
| MacKenzie Lewis, Ashland FFA | Creed Ammons, Tyler FFA Chapter |
| Cade Shepherd, Mt. Vernon FFA |
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 700,000 student members who belong to one of the more than 8,600 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by more than 8 million alumni and supporters throughout the U.S.
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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of more than 700,000 student members as part of 8,600 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and the official news page of the National FFA Organization.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.
