WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The 90th Indiana FFA State Convention begins Tuesday in West Lafayette, and members from across the state are anticipating this year's event.
All of Indiana's nearly 12,500 FFA members are invited by the state association to attend the convention at Purdue University.
The state convention starts with contests between FFA members including livestock judging, food science and even public speaking. FFA officers said the contests develop skills for the organization's members, which then helps to further the industry.
State Treasurer Austin Berenda said the FFA has allowed him to develop skills that he wouldn't have otherwise.
"I can do interviews, I can hang out with people that I don't really know and still keep a conversation going," listed Berenda. "I've developed a lot of skills and it's put me into a good school for college. The FFA has developed so much of my leadership ability."
When many people think of FFA, they mainly think of farming. However, state officers said membership allows students to gain valuable life skills and develop their character, all while benefiting the Ag industry.
"We take pride in our agriculture, and that is where we think is our home," said Berenda. "But the FFA is really developing speakers, leaders, innovators, and public servants."
The convention lasts for the next three days.
