Heartland FFA members from L to R: Trenton Goertzen, Lane Farrall, Weston Panko, Braden Janzen, Madalyn Janzen, Grace Splinter and Riley Quiring– photo courtesy Heartland FFA
Written by Riley Quiring
Seven Heartland FFA members attended the Convention, as well as two advisors: Braden Janzen (12), Madalyn Janzen (11), Weston Panko (12), Grace Splinter (12), Lane Farrall (12), Riley Quiring (12), Trenton Goertzen (12), Stephanie Miller (advisor), and Allison Engelman (advisor).
The National FFA Convention was held from October 28th to November 1st in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tours were attended while heading to the convention, as well as tours in the area. The group toured Northwest Missouri State University, Trans Ova Genetics, Brock Angus Farm, Ozark Fisheries, and Hunters Honey during the trip. The group attends these tours to broaden their knowledge on agricultural industries in other states and other agriculture pathways.
All sessions for the convention were held in Lucas Oil Stadium, where 71,000 students gathered to hear opening ceremonies, demonstrations, speeches from the National Officer Team, and keynote speeches. The Heartland FFA group attended two sessions, one being the American Degree Ceremony, where Benjamin Janzen received his American FFA Degree. (Grace Regier also received her American degree but was not present for the ceremony.) The group also went to the Expo Center, where there are countless booths of agricultural businesses scattered throughout the building, as well as the FFA shopping mall. The students all had a great time and learned a lot at the 98th National FFA Convention.
Heartland members were able to enjoy a night at the Rodeo while at National Convention. Members took in an opening session, a career expo, an FFA shopping mall, a workshop, and the American Degree ceremony while at National Convention.
As part of the Hunter’s Honey farm tour, members got to taste various flavors of honey before bottling their own souvenir honey bear.Riley Quiring looks at an embryo at TransOva in Chillicothe, MO.
After learning about the Ozark Fisheries business and checking out the stock tanks, members’ final point was to snap a shot in front of the iconic backdrop.
Maddie Janzen and student teacher Alli Engelman caught tadpoles at Ozark Fisheries – all photos courtesy Heartland FFA
