For over 90 years, the National FFA Convention & Expo has united members to demonstrate and celebrate their accomplishments and inspire their individual futures. With 69,944 attendees, this event remains one of the world’s largest student conventions. The Expo covers more than 253,000 square feet and allows the 400+ exhibiting companies to network and build agriculture awareness for the next generation of leaders, employees, customers, and advocates.

All MVCTC FFA Chapters attended the 92^nd Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, October 30-November 1, 2019.  The conference allows FFA members to attend and be honored for their accomplishments, meet new people, and learn new technologies that are available in the Agriculture Industry, as well as, explore hundreds of Post-Secondary options for students to discover, from across the country

Convention activities included several convention sessions where members were inspired by motivational speakers such as the 2018-19 National FFA Officers and motivational speakers Bob Goff and Michelle Poler. Award presentations take place at the National Convention for FFA chapters and individuals.  Attendees enjoyed a Brett Young Concert, Buckeye Bash Dance, Cinch’s World Toughest Rodeo, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and a self-guided tour of the National FFA Center. Students also enjoyed attending the FFA Shopping Mall and Career Show and eating lots of really great food.

Arcanum MVCTC FFA Chapter toured Wilhoite Family Grain Farm, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Lincoln Tech Trade School.  Members attending included Hailey Ashmore, Ryan Delk, Raymond Denniston, Hunter Farmer, Laney Fourman, Marcus Fourman, Kylee Freeman, Andrea Garrison, Blayne Hess, Maggie Weiss, Katie Weiss, Emily Wenning, Vance Wetzel, Alexis Wilcox, and Arcanum MVCTC FFA Advisor Brian Pohlman.

Brookville-MVCTC FFA Chapter toured Cargill Research Farm and the Woodmizer Headquarters. Members attending included Emma Arnett, Chloe Brooks, Sophie Brooks, Bailey Denlinger, Justin Dull, Audrey Florkey, Isabel Monning, Maddee Peters, Owen Rhoades, Alexis Tolle, Lexie Williams, and Brookville MVCTC FFA Advisory Nick Wright.

Eaton-MVCTC FFA members attending included Ryan Brooks, Morgan Dare, Mallory Deaton, Clayton Gregg, Kendale Hamilton, Tiara Miles, Mason Roell, Matt Schrimper, Cheyenne Smith, Maddie Wright, Rebecca Wright, Abigail Wysong, and Eaton MVCTC FFA Advisor Elizabeth Fields.

Franklin Monroe-MVCTC FFA toured two local agriculture companies that focus on livestock production and processing, Buschur Dairy Farm in North Star, and Cooper Processing.  Members attending included Taylor Armstrong, Colton Beatty, Austin Cool, Mason Garber, Caroline Kress, Walker Lindemuth, Josie Patrick, and Franklin Monroe MVCTC FFA Advisor Kevin Bergman.

Huber-Heights Ag Satellite Chapter’s Officer team attends their first National FFA Convention. Members attending included Eryn Boettcher, Austin Buck, Maya Dement, Zach Eagan, Jayla Gier, Ashlynn Mandich, and Huber Heights MVCTC FFA Advisor Sara Dungan.

Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter received a Three-Star National Chapter Award, the highest award bestowed to an FFA Chapter. The chapter was selected for this honor based on its activities during the previous school year, in the areas of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Miami East-MVCTC FFA Member Kylie Blair was named a National Proficiency Finalist (Top 4 in the nation) in the area of Agricultural Sales-Placement. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience program consists of job placement at Family Farm and Home in Piqua. She was interviewed and recognized on stage with a plaque and cash prize.

Members attending included Elizabeth Bair, Ethin Bendickson, Adam Bensman, Makayla Brittain, Sydney Brittain, Katelynn Dill, Carter Gilbert, Luke Gilliland, Savannah Holzen, Keira Kirby, Evan Massie, Jillian Niswonger, Paige Pence, Rylee Puthoff, Emma Sutherly, Samuel Sutherly, Sumsaar Thapa, Alivia Wade, Dustin Winner, Lauren Wright, and Miami East MVCTC FFA Advisor Marie Carity.

Miami Valley Career Technology Center Main Campus FFA Chapter toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Ozark Fisheries, and participated in the FFA National Days of Service.  MVCTC FFA Alumni Brittni Pedtke and Hannah Walters received their American FFA Degrees. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes members’ ability to demonstrate leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs. Recipients received gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate to commemorate the achievement.  

Members attending included Kailey Adams, Heidi Allan, Beau Austin, Christine Beck, Hailee Blankenship, Chloe Blunk, Aurora Boykin, Nathanael Brandenburg, Matthew Brookey, Audra Burger, Michael Buteau, Elizabeth Carpenter, Jalen Clay, Sydney Cole, Jerzey Collins, Alyssa Conley, Rylan Craft, Ross Dapore, Dawson Daum, Adrianna Dearth, Jayla Denlinger, Kristin Denlinger, Anastasia Dingle, Madelyn Elling, Justin Evans, Joshua Finfrock, Davis Flora, Jesse Foley, Kole Glander, Jenna Godown, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Malynn Grewe, Cheyenne Grow, Seth Harlow, Jaden Haywood, Alana Heck, Skiler Hedge, Emma Hoening, Elijah Hulett, Peyton Hunt, Dani Kemper, Simone King, Josiah Kirchoffer, Kelcee Koons, Keara Knepshield, Charles Kunkel, Ian Lackey, Jessica Langford, Alexander Lawson, Emily Lupa, Zachary Mathias, Ashley Mcfarland, Jacob Mcintosh, Justin Mcintosh, Chloe Metcalf, Clem Montgomery, Kevin Newman, Emma-Lynn Nulph, Kylan Osborn, Hannah Pearson, Brittni Pedtke, Raegan Peters, Melanie Pickett, Brittany Ployer, Riley Powell, Lily Preston, Emma Pugh, Jenna Ray, Katelyn Redick, Alison Reeves, Madison Roberts, Peyton Ryan, Hannah Savard, Carson Shafer, Alexis Small, Brianna Smith, Hannah Smith, Lillian Smith, Aunila Sparks, Lexas Stapleton, Sophia Stuchell, Jack Taylor, Chloe Thomas, John Thomas, Corey Thompson, Taralynn Thompson, Kaitlyn Wells, Jenna Wheeler, Jaden Whitacre, Jarrett Winner, Jacob Winterrowd, Brendan Wray, Nathaniel Wysong.  MVCTC FFA Advisors attending included Joe Berringer, Christy Blauvelt, Bill Hershberger, Christa Nealeigh, Larry Seibel, and Eva Wiley. 

Milton-Union MVCTC FFA Chapter toured Wilhoite Family Grain Farm, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Lincoln College of Technology. Milton-Union MVCTC FFA alumnus Abigail Hissong received her American FFA Degree. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes members’ ability to demonstrate leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs. Recipients received gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate to commemorate the achievement.

Members attending included Emily Hornberger, Malia Johns, Jackson Kimmel, Tyler Kress, Webb Kress, Tyler Leffew, Erica Pratt, Cammy Shook, Justin Thomas, Carter Tinnerman, Kelsie Tomlinson, Darby Welbaum, and Milton Union MVCTC FFA Advisor Suzanne Kimball.

Mississinawa Valley MVCTC FFA Chapter received a Three-Star National Chapter Award, the highest award bestowed to an FFA Chapter. The chapter was selected for this honor based on its activities during the previous school year, in the areas of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.

Members attending included Ali Byram, Taylor Cunningham, Jacob Dircksen, Ben Hartzell, Lindsay Johns, Brenden King, Caden King, Kya Lavy, Krista Miller, Travis Muhlenkamp, Emily Schmitz, Lilly Severance,  Kennedy Stachler, Taylor Stachler, Hawk Thomas, Madi Townsend, AJ Waymire, and Missisinawa Valley MVCTC FFA Advisor Carmen Hartzell.

National Trail MVCTC FFA Chapter received a Three-Star National Chapter Award, the highest award bestowed to an FFA Chapter. The chapter was selected for this honor based on its activities during the previous school year, in the areas of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.

National Trail MVCTC FFA alumni Killen and Holly Lawson both received their American FFA Degrees. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes members’ ability to demonstrate leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs. Recipients received gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate to commemorate the achievement.

Members attending included Mark Armstrong, Trista Hannah, Grant Killen, Haley Koehl, Brianne Kosier, Holly Lawson, Daniel Mann, Kayleigh Michael, Madison Myers, Sara Norton, Kacy Osswald, Abbey Rodefer, Mykenzie Smith, Wes Taylor, Garland Weaver, Alli Whitesell, Abbi Whitesell, Alyssa Zdobinski, and National Trail MVCTC FFA Advisors Eric Kennel and Carmen Kennel.

Tri-County North-MVCTC FFA toured the Indiana grand horse racing and the Purdue Cattle Livestock Research Facilities. Tri-County North MVCTC FFA alumnus Madeline Prater received her American degree. She is the first person ever from Tri-County North MVCTC FFA to receive her American degree. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes members’ ability to demonstrate leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs. Recipients received gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate to commemorate the achievement.

Members attending included: Kelli Cooke, Kylie Cooper, Joey Harris, Samantha Nuse, Hunter Pahl, Cole Stump, Marissa Wooton, Silas Wright, and Tri-County North MVCTC FFA Advisor Charity McMullen.

Tri-Village MVCTC FFA Chapter toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  FFA member Katelyn Hanes competed in the National FFA Talent Show and sang in front of nearly 20,000 people throughout the week all around downtown Indianapolis.

Members attending included Kylie Beisner, Jonathon Crawford, Madison Crawford, Maddie Downing, Meghan Downing, Luke Drew, Hunter Gilpin, Katelyn Hanes, Gavin Lochard, Brice Miller, Willow Moore, Ryan Stephan, and Tri-Village MVCTC FFA Advisor Justin Slone.

Twin Valley South MVCTC FFA Chapter alumni Haley Back, Chyann Kendel, and Kayla Stiver received their American Degree. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes members’ ability to demonstrate leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs. Recipients received gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate to commemorate the achievement.

Chyann Kendel was recognized for being the top four in the nation for her Diversified Livestock Proficiency. Chyann Kendel is the first national finalist for the Twin Valley South MVCTC FFA Chapter has had in their 55-year history.

Members attending included Cheyenne Baker, Ben Bitner, Liberty Chesney, Harley Cook, Abbey Earich, Alyssa Earich, Sydney Flory, Jordan Glander, Preston Glander, Nolan Hale, Elli Huerst, Mackenzie Neal, Kallen Pitz, Maddox Riegel, Bekah Sunvold, Lynnlee Voge, and Twin Valley South MVCTC FFA Advisor Alison Derringer.

Valley View MVCTC FFA Chapter toured various agricultural endeavors ranging from the Cargill Research Farm to the Woodmizer Headquarters. Valley View-MVCTC FFA received a Three-Star National Chapter Award, the highest award bestowed to an FFA Chapter. The chapter was selected for this honor based on its activities during the previous school year, in the areas of growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.  

Additionally, three Valley View MVCTC FFA alumni, Mike Boyle, Jordan Johnson, and Mercedes Woodson, received their American FFA Degrees. The American FFA Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes members’ ability to demonstrate leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, and service programs. Recipients received gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate to commemorate the achievement.

Members attending included Chase Baker, Emma Burr, Kennedy Burr, Nikki Castle, Sarah Cole, Sydney Cooper, Tanner Cordes, Sophia Devillez, Lucas Duncil, Reina Frame, John Gilbert, Kendyll Grant, Grant Helsinger, Keith Kinner, Ansley Kozarec, Justin Michael, Ryan Micahel, Tyler Micahel, Braydon Moore, Charity Moore, Mickey Neal, Ben Neff, Ryleigh Reno, Abby Shartle, Kyle Stiver, Harli Taylor, Taylor Weaver, and Valley View MVCTC FFA Advisor Betsy Martin.

The National FFA Organization is the premier youth organization dedicated to preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. FFA members are the future food industry’s premier human capital, and they are all driven by the organization’s foundational motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. Cultivating their passion and connecting them to innovative thought processes and cutting-edge technology is critical to their individual ability to support and contribute to future sustainability in farming, science, medicine, and business alike.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 700,170 student members belonging to 8,612 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands.