New Mexico State University will host FFA members and visitors from across the state during the 86th annual State FFA Convention June 3-5.
About 600-700 FFA members will gather for a variety of contests, activities and awards at the convention titled “United in blue, striving for gold,” a message instilling pride and excellence in the youth of today.
“This is a great opportunity for students to practice career readiness skills and learn about the many scholarships which they can apply for,” said Jerrod Smith, state FFA executive secretary.
Highlights for the event include an agri-science fair where students present their agricultural research projects from various categories, aiming at a chance to compete at the national FFA convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Public speaking and job interview categories provide useful tools for college ready competitors.
NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Dean Lowell Catlett will open the ceremony. The convention will have appearances by New Mexico State Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte and Matt Rush, vice president from the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, who has been chosen as one of the keynote speakers. He serves on the American Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture Board of Directors and has won state and national awards for his public speaking.
The convention will come to a close after 11 competitions, various workshops, a dance, awards ceremony and the election for the 2014-2015 state officer team.
New Mexico has more than 3,800 students who belong to FFA in 72 New Mexico chapters. Members participate in activities throughout the year preparing them for agriculture-related careers.
For more information about the FFA or the state convention contact Smith at 575-646-7054 or via email at jersmith@nmsu.edu.