Pierce High FFA Members Attend National FFA Convention
Pierce FFA Chapter
On October 21st through the 23rd, seven Pierce FFA members attended the 82nd National Convention held in Indianapolis Indiana. The convention began with members attending the convention opening ceremonies featuring Mike Rowe host of the popular television show Dirty Jobs. Mr. Rowe’s Speech focused on the fact that all jobs are important and an individual can be happy doing even the jobs perceived as ‘dirty’ or the worst. Rowe emphasized that we need to respect all workers for providing those services needed to live in a civilized nation. He also shared that instead of focusing on the “green” revolution, it should be called the “brown” revolution because saving the Earth will rely on agriculture and all agriculture starts with the soil. So join FFA members in going ‘BROWN’
During their first full day at convention, members visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While at the speedway, they were able to ride on a bus that toured the facility including a lap around the track. The members enjoyed the bus tour, since they were able to get out and touch or kiss the finish line. They also were able to explore the interview room, experience winner’s circle, visit the pit area, and even tour the control tower that houses media and the command center for all races held on site.
Later, the FFA members went to the general session at Conseco Field House. While at the session they were able to watch the National FFA choir and band showcase their talents. Hugh Grant, Chief CEO of Monsanto, shared Monsanto’s vision of the future. Emphasizing that in order to feed the world we will need to produce more food in the next 40 years than has been produced since the beginning of time. For this accomplishment, we will need to increase our yields significantly since many acres of land are taken out of production for continued development each year. Grant highlighted that all of this must be accomplished with less water and lower input costs per bushel. A great challenge that only a true agriculturalist can accomplish!
To start the second day of convention members visited Blue Springs Caverns & Gem Mining. While there, the members first were given a sack of sand full of gems that they were able to prospect. Each member found a large variety of colorful gems and rocks of varying sizes. The conclusion of the members’ time at Blue Springs Caverns included a boat cave tour along the course of a subterranean river for over a mile below the rolling hills. The cave tour allowed the FFA members to also learn the history and wonders of the cave formation and the animals that still inhabit.
The final session on Friday featured Josh Sundquist is a Paralympic ski racer. Mr. Sundquist shared stories about losing his leg to cancer, ski racing in the Paralympics and playing jokes with his artificial leg to give inspiration for overcoming adversity and goal setting. His high-energy blend of storytelling, crutch acrobatics and laugh-out loud humor inspired members to find meaning in their pursuit of excellence. Sundqust was a definite favorite of Pierce FFA members.
When time allowed between the tours and convention sessions, members visited the National Career Fair. At the fair students were able to look at a wide variety of career fields available in agriculture. Members could walk around and talk with the booth workers and learn more about career fields as well as colleges. There was also a science fair, leadership workshops, and competitions in career development events (CDEs) and leadership skills events (LSEs) going on that they could observe.
The final day of convention, members attended a session at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the National Stars were announced. Over 3000 students received the American Degree honors, less than one half of one percent of the nations FFA membership attained this degree, which is the highest degree, awarded by the National FFA Association.
Pierce members attending the 82nd National FFA convention included Amy Fleer, Colby Johnson, Clayton Lienemann, Lexie Nuesch, Haley Oestreich, Colby Krueger, and Cody Shultz. These members would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible. A portion of the costs for the trip was paid for by a grant from the Battle Creek Farmers COOP and the Land O’Lakes Foundation. Also thank you to the Pierce Board of Education for their continued support in letting our membership attend this amazing function.
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