In November, 15 delegates from the Suffield High School’s FFA Chapter traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 91st National FFA Convention and Expo. These students had the opportunity over five days to learn about different aspects of agriculture from varied booths and exhibits, as well as from other FFA members. There was at least one delegate from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The students had the opportunity to learn about ways that other states run their programs in order to bring back helpful strategies to SHS’s own FFA chapter.
The students got the chance to visit booths designed to showcase college agriculture programs, and where students could get information about these colleges and what they offered. They visited a working farm and listened to the owner explain how they managed and maintained a large, successful farm. They attended several convention sessions to hear various speakers, they competed in either an extemporaneous public speaking or a prepared public speaking competition and helped with the running of the convention by being a part of the Courtesy Corps.
The students attended workshops and met with some American Degree Recipients who were past graduates of SHS. The FFA American Degree is the highest degree that can be received in the FFA and is very difficult to achieve. Only five percent of members receive this degree, but SHS had four recipients this year! It was an incredible experience for all the students who attended.