Have you ever wanted to go to a different place and have a great time while most of your friends are at school? Well the FFA National Convention is the perfect trip to take!

The FFA National Convention took place from the 25th to the 28th  of October. The Woodford County Chapter FFA attended on the 28th. The event took place in Indianapolis, where people from all over the country came with their official FFA dress on. The members who went had to get on the charter bus fully dress in the official FFA uniforms at 6 am. The chapter members who attended included around twenty high schoolers and six middle schoolers.

We got to Indianapolis around 10 am. We walked in to the Convention Center in Indianapolis and waited while Ms. Probst went to get our identification badges and lanyards. During that time, Woodford County members took a group photo that will  be in the FFA yearbook. After we got situated, we headed to the career show.

The Career Show

The Career Show is exactly what it sounds like; a bunch of tables that advertises all sorts of careers and universities that will help you attain that career. Along with what organizations are doing to improve agriculture and lives, help raise population of endangered species, and companies that sell agricultural products. When we first walked in we were greeted with a structure full of names of members that we signed. They gave out many things at their stands like buttons, pens, t-shirts, bags, ice cream, and so much more. Plus they let you take a career survey where it shows four jobs that are best for your likes and dislikes. They also had free video games you could play, and virtual reality simulators for jobs in agriculture. Some jobs that were there was environmental protection, welding, trapping, technical workers. Even Tractor Supply even had a booth, and they gave away front license plates with the FFA symbol and Tractor Supply on it. Plus they had a dance party where not only country music was played, but they played hip hop and other genres too.

There were also free charging stations, where your phone is locked in a box only you can open with your personal code you made. One of the greatest things there where you took a survey with random knowledge about the food in agriculture, and they donate food to a family in your name. Also that we got to write thank you letters to soldiers that are out there serving for us.

Caption: Inside of the seminar where you learn how to help the community, and write thank you letters to people who are serving.

At that part of the convention you learn so much more about FFA and agriculture. You learn how big it is, and how much it does for people. You also learn what effect you have on something, and jobs you never knew existed or still around. My group spent hours in that room and we only got two thirds through it. Although it didn’t feel like hours, since we were having so much fun time flew by like nothing. Even though our feet were already hurting like heck.

Circle Center Mall

The groups met back and went to the Circle Center Mall, which was right next door. We ate there and got two hours to go around and shop. It was amazing since the place was also flooded with other members. At 4:30  we met back and went back to the convention center.

FFA Shops

Instead of going back to the career show we went to a different room. That room was filled with shops, and those shops weren’t that normal. There was hat, boots, belt buckle shops, and a FFA shop that tons of stuff other than clothes that had FFA on it.  Although there were a few surprising ones shops, like a shop where you can buy a preserved wax flower or the shop with horn decor and instruments. We walked around there for about an hour and a half before we all joined up and relaxed. At that point members were just talking and getting to know each other better.

Night Session Fun

Eventually we had to walk in the cold rain to stadium where the night session took place. It was amazing to see all of the FFA Jackets walking down the street to the same place.

The night session was broadcast on television, like  it has been for years. It was amazing spending two hours with 65,128 other members dancing, listening to speakers, learning that we write our futures and can do anything. The National FFA choir and band played amazing songs at the beginning. They had amazing light shows there too, which was on during the every now and then break, which became a dance party. One of speakers did magic tricks and someone won $100. There were other speakers but they all had the same message: That you could do anything if you just try and never give up. The night session was two hours long and it was the end to the 90th FFA National Convention.

The 91st FFA National Convention will be taking place next year.  We don’t know if it’ll be three or just one day next year, but it’s well worth the money. The motto will be different from this year’s along with the count of members. This year we broke the record for most members at the convention, and next year there will probably be more. This convention can help you learn and understand more about agriculture, as well as give you a new view of life. So, if you’re in an agriculture class join FFA and go next year. It’s well worth the money, and it’s so much fun missing school for something so big.