FFA auctioneering camp opens doors for Texas students

This month, Texas kicked off its first-ever Future Farmers of America Auctioneering Camp. The event gathered FFA members from around the state to study the art and commerce of auctioneering, an essential technique in agriculture.

Co-sponsored by the Texas Auctioneers Association and National Auction Association, the camp provided experiential practice in bid calling, chant development, auction ethics, and professional conduct. Students also became familiar with the entrepreneurial and leadership aspects of the business, engaging in realistic hands-on experience.

“Auctioneering plays a critical role in the agricultural industry, and I’m proud to support the inaugural FFA Auctioneering Camp in Texas,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller when he announced the contest in May. “With a strong collaboration between FFA, the Texas Auctioneers Association, and the National Auction Association, this program gives students real-world skills in communication, entrepreneurship, and leadership.”

The camp is part of Texas FFA’s broader mission to equip students with practical skills and career readiness. Organizers said they hoped the camp will become an annual event, strengthening the pipeline of confident, capable auctioneers and agricultural leaders for years to come.

The Texas Auctioneers Association shared its enthusiasm for the event’s future, calling it, “Your chance to be part of something groundbreaking and possibly your career path. This isn’t just a camp … it’s the beginning of a brand-new Career Development Event that could open doors for FFA students across the state.”

Features of the camp included encounters with champion auctioneers, where students of all experience levels were given the opportunity to boost confidence, fine-tune communication skills, and network with others from across Texas.

The competition component of the camp recognized exceptional talent with these awards:

• Advanced Camp Champion: Benny Garza, Mission FFA
• Advanced Camp Reserve Champion: Trenton Gallaway, Belton FFA
• Beginner Camp Champion: Eli Pullin, Iredell FFA
• Beginner Camp Reserve Champion: Memphis Schwab, Palestine FFA

The Texas FFA Association noted the importance of the event: “We kicked off the convention today with a brand new event. We hosted the Auctioneering Camp and Contest for Texas FFA members.”

The program also builds on the National Auctioneer Association’s efforts to create more structured pathways into the profession. In cooperation with the FFA Foundation, the NAA has released an Auction Profession SAE template, allowing students to build a formal experience around auctioneering.



An auctioneering SAE offers students the opportunity to experience what their future in the auction industry could hold. Guided by current industry professionals, students gain first-hand knowledge of the skills and dedication necessary to succeed in the business.

“As a proud Texan, former FFA member, and Vice President of the National Auction Association, I’m especially excited to see the launch of the FFA Auctioneering Camp right here in Texas and to support the broader vision of establishing auctioneering as an official State Career Development Event,” added Morgan Hopson, Vice President of the National Auction Association. “This program is more than a contest, and it’s a transformational experience that connects classroom learning, SAE projects, and hands-on application in a way that truly fulfills the three-circle model of agricultural education. It allows students from all backgrounds to explore the auction industry while gaining real-world public speaking, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills. I believe this initiative will not only strengthen Texas FFA, but it will shape the future of the auction profession.”