National FFA’s Next Gen Conference focuses on tech innovation

The National FFA Organization, hosted its third Next Gen Conference of the year in Fargo, N.D. from September 9-13.

Next Gen Conferences provide FFA members the opportunity to explore career options within the industry of agriculture. The September conference brought together 70 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from 21 states to learn more about emerging technologies in the agricultural space through informational sessions, panel discussions, and tours.

The Next Gen Conference: Emerging Technologies tour locations in Fargo included:

• CNH Industria
• John Deere
• Cargill

Grand Farm Innovation Campus (Demos with Autonomous Nation Conference)
Each tour stop is carefully planned to provide a learning experience for student attendees. One stop was CNH Industrial, a world-class equipment and services company that sustainably advances the noble work of agriculture and construction workers. John Deere and Cargill showcased their commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture, while the Grand Farm Innovation Campus gave students the opportunity to see how growers, startups, researchers, corporations, government, and investors come together to test, validate, and scale AgTech solutions in a real-world farm setting.

“Emerging technology is a key element of agricultural education and helps students explore unexpected careers in the industry,” said Ashli Weinrich, program specialist, Advocacy, Literacy & Ag Based Experiences, Programs and Events Division, National FFA Organization. “Through this conference, we were able to showcase how their learnings in school and participation in FFA are actively preparing them for their future careers across a variety of interests. With over a million FFA members across the country, it’s so important to continue having Next Gen Conferences to introduce our young learners to leaders and job opportunities in agriculture.”

The 70 students selected to participate were chosen from a competitive applicant pool. Students were asked to share about their Supervised Agricultural Experience, the work-based learning portion of agricultural education that applies concepts learned in the classroom to internships or entrepreneurship. Supervised Agricultural Experiences of students who attended the conference included hydroponic lettuce production, 3-D printing, drones and a greenhouse restoration.

The following high school students were selected to attend the conference in Fargo through a competitive application process.

Alabama
Delilah Crowe
Ellie Grace Cyrus
Abby Ferguson

Arizona
Hayden Perea

California
Baylor Bloom
Clayton Cecil
Carter Couto
Camryn Henning

Idaho
Hunter Milich

Indiana
Tristian Galbraith
Zoe Haemmerle
Wesley Hoehn
Connor Lawrence
Jon McMillan
Zachary Schwartz
Caelan Zakrzewski

Iowa
Isaac Alphs
Ryan Girres
Max Vannorsdel

Kentucky
Jerrod Caudill
Laney Chaudoin
Tyler Dunn
Camden Parker
Anthony Webster
Massachusetts
Allison Lynch

Minnesota
Maddy Aakre
Mathew Hollenbeck
Blake Pietrzak
Hailey Schauer
Alex Zimmerman

Missouri
Owen Barber
Brock Pitt
Jett Storm
Bryce Wassmann
New Mexico
Tenisha Dick
Nellanei Kee
Sam Shorty
Bailey Yazzie

New York
Hunter Bennett
Justin Deleo
North Dakota
Ethan Richard
Davis Rieck
Simon Schneider
Kaden Walz

Ohio
Liz Brumbach
Claire Connor
Abi Earley
Hunter Guenther
Breanna Idlett
Jeremiah Jackson
Gavin Peters
Joe Riethman

Oregon
Dylan Orr

Pennsylvania
Drew Heltzel

South Carolina
Will Cutshall
Amelia Morris
Chris Warren-Page
Garland Wilson

South Dakota
Cash Martinez

Tennessee
Connor Copley
Christal Mcfall
Jackson Pierce

West Virginia
Mina Beckner
Jaiden Fordyce
Coralee Mealey
Emma Quick
Tate Tenney
Keldon Walton

Wisconsin
Holden McCray
Sophie Pernsteiner

Next Gen Conferences have occurred three times this year in different states, each with the goal of preparing the next generation of leaders who will feed, fuel, clothe, and sustain the world through educational and career exploration opportunities.