KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fifty high school students from across the country are exploring careers in the animal systems industry. It’s all part of the #FFANextGen conference, offered by the National FFA Organization, in Kansas City.
The first of its 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 also will experience field and operation tours around the Kansas City area.
Students who have been chosen to attend the #FFANextGen conference include:
Alabama
Will Aycock, Albertville FFA
Arkansas
Jordan Lloyd, Beebe FFA
California
Kate Grimsman, Hamilton FFA
Kiley Andersen, Sebastopol FFA
Maddy Nissen, Willows FFA
Madison Hargis, Clovis FFA
Delaware
Allison Wahlsten, Caesar Rodney FFA
Iowa
Addison Randall, Louisa-Muscatine FFA
Idaho
Shay Young, Jerome FFA
Indiana
Matthew McMillan, Southern Wells FFA
Kansas
Macy Rickard, Pike Valley High School FFA
Bridget Kucan, Holton FFA
Louisiana
Kennedy Christmas, Iberville MSA West FFA
Abby Wulf, Crowley FFA
Maryland
Zack Backer, CTC FFA
Michigan
Leah Irion, Laker FFA
Minnesota
Nicole Freerksen, LeRoy-Ostrander FFA
Missouri
Katilin Kleiboeker Pierce City FFA
Lauryn Robnett, Audrain Co R-IV FFA
Issac Rhode, East Buchanan FFA
Luke Vaughn, Marceline FFA
Shelby Stille, Mongomery County R-II FFA Chapter
MacKenzie Lewis, Ashland FFA
Cade Shepherd, Mt. Vernon FFA
Mississippi
Marlee Turner, Kossuth FFA
Montana
Morgan Ward, Denton FFA
North Dakota
Shelby Meckle, Center FFA
Nebraska
Emily Kerbs, Norris FFA
Nevada
Mackenzie Kephart, Moapa Valley FFA
Ohio
Kyra Davidson, Felicity-Franklin FFA
Madisen Jolliff, Ridgemont FFA
Alex Linder, Western Reserve FFA
Katelyn Wallace, A.B. Graham Ohio Hi-Point
Tennessee
Madison Jones, Cookeville FFA
Haley Grisham, North Knox FFA
Daylin Hunt, Watertown FFA
Texas
Ryan Gibson, Livingston FFA
Virginia
Megan Day, C.L. Payne FFA
Washington
Harley Holman, Yelm FFA
Lyssa Killgo, Burlington-Edison
Wisconsin
Matthew Fischer, Owen Withee FFA
Tessa Gehri, Wonewoc Center FFA
Cortney Zimmerman, Spencer FFA
Taylor VonBehren, DeForest FFA
Emma Hamilton, Adams-Friendship FFA
Gabby Wohlrab, Wonewoc-Center FFA
Mikayla Fox, Poynette FFA
Barbara Dittrich, Cochrane-Fountain City FFA
Emily Dahlke, Adams-Friendship FFA
West Virginia
Creed Ammons, Tyler FFA Chapter