What Colleges at FFA Convention are Really Looking for in Students

INDIANAPOLIS — Every fall, Indianapolis becomes a sea of blue jackets as tens of thousands of students, teachers, and agricultural leaders from all parts of the nation come together for the National FFA Convention & Expo. Beyond the competitions, workshops, and reunions, another critical function happens on the convention floor: bringing FFA members in contact with over 80 universities and colleges, whose future classes will shape the future of agricultural innovation.

The colleges recruiting students to carry the future of agriculture forward range from land-grant powerhouses to research-driven institutions from all over the country. I spoke with representatives from Texas A&M University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Georgia, Cornell University, Oklahoma State University, Purdue University, and the University of Florida to learn what they’re really looking for, and how FFA and 4-H members already have a head start.

Texas A&M University: “We want students who do something with what they learn.”

John Chivvis, a Virtual Engagement Specialist and adjunct faculty member at Texas A&M, said that for A&M, the land-grant mission drives their recruitment philosophy.

“We’re not looking for the theoretical,” he said. “We want students who will do something with what they learn — take their education and use it to make an impact.”

With more than 30 majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, A&M seeks students who combine academic achievement with service and leadership.

“FFA students stand out immediately,” he said. “They’re confident, professional, and know how to present themselves. That kind of presence matters.”

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: “It’s about what you’re willing to do.”

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Savannah Hughes, an undergraduate recruiter in Agricultural Education and Communication, said that success depends less on a student’s background and more on their engagement.

“It’s not about what’s on your transcript,” she said. “It’s about what you’re willing to do once you get here — study abroad, intern, join organizations, and take advantage of every opportunity.”

About a third of UIUC’s ag ed students come from nontraditional ag backgrounds, and Hughes says that mix enriches the program.

“Those students bring fresh perspectives,” she said. “And the FFA kids — they already have that network, that confidence. It helps them transition quickly into college life.”

University of Georgia: “Passion above all else.”

At the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Jackie Servant Childers, Director of Recruitment, said the most important trait her college looks for is passion.

“We want students who are passionate and willing to take advantage of every opportunity,” she said. “Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, and we prepare students to lead it — whether that’s in ag education, science, or business.”

Childers has seen a shift in demographics, with about 60 percent of Georgia’s students now coming from nontraditional ag backgrounds.

“They might be from metro Atlanta, and they’re drawn in by science and sustainability,” she said. “If they know biology and chemistry, we can teach them how to apply it — in the field, in the lab, in life.”

And when it comes to FFA and 4-H students?

“They’re the cream of the crop,” she said. “They already have leadership, communication, and professionalism down. They’re ready to represent.”

Cornell University: “Don’t be intimidated by the name.”

At Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Callan Robinson said one of her first messages to students is simple: Don’t let the Ivy League name scare you.

“We’re the only Ivy League with a College of Agriculture,” Robinson said. “We’re also New York’s land-grant institution, which means we’re deeply connected to real-world agriculture.”

Cornell CALS offers 22 majors with agricultural, environmental, and sustainability focuses. About 12 percent of its incoming class is FFA-affiliated.

“FFA students are some of the most well-rounded applicants we see,” Robinson said. “They’re confident, professional, and carry themselves with purpose — exactly what we look for.”

Through its statewide extension system, Cornell gives students hands-on opportunities to work with farmers and local communities.

“That kind of field experience makes their education come alive,” she said.

Oklahoma State University: “A life-giving community.”

At Oklahoma State University, Chelsey Comstock from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources said OSU is about more than degrees — it’s about belonging.

“We’re not looking for a checklist,” she said. “We’re looking for students who want a life-giving community — a place to belong and grow.”

OSU’s College of Agriculture may be the smallest on campus, but its sense of community runs deep.

“Our students come from 47 states and a 50/50 split of traditional and nontraditional ag backgrounds,” Comstock said. “That diversity of experience makes our classrooms and our students stronger.”

As a former FFA member herself, Comstock understands the preparation the organization provides.

“FFA taught me how to connect, communicate, and lead,” she said. “It gave me the foundation for everything I do today.”

Purdue University: “Motivation and impact.”

Andrea Lutz from Purdue University’s College of Agriculture said the students who thrive at Purdue share one key quality: motivation.

“We’re looking for students who are self-driven — who want to learn, grow, and make an impact,” she said.

She added that FFA and 4-H experiences make a real difference in applications.

“When we see those activities, it tells us the student is involved, passionate, and not afraid to take initiative,” she said. “That kind of motivation is exactly what we want.”

About 75 percent of Purdue’s agriculture students come from within Indiana, with the remaining 25 percent from out of state or international programs.

“We’re seeing more suburban students discovering agriculture through science and technology,” Lutz said. “It’s exciting to see how the field is evolving.”

University of Florida: “Versatility and willingness to get your hands dirty.”

At the University of Florida, Dr. H. Charlotte Emerson, a faculty member in Agricultural Education and Communication, said versatility defines the kind of student who succeeds in her college.

“We need students who are adaptable, people who can embrace new technology but also communicate effectively in traditional ways,” she said. “The industry needs professionals who can reach all kinds of audiences.”

Emerson emphasized the importance of experiential learning and a willingness to dive into the “dirty work.”

“No one loves it, but getting your hands dirty and learning by doing is what sets our students apart,” she said. “It builds confidence before they’re even out in the field as professionals.”

The University of Florida’s ag programs attract a diverse mix of domestic and international students.

“It’s really a melting pot,” Emerson said. “We have students from every background: urban, rural, suburban, and global — all learning from one another.”

When it comes to FFA’s role, she sees a clear distinction.

“Students who’ve been in FFA come in with those extra soft skills — communication, confidence, even how to tie a tie or shake a hand,” she said. “They’ve already practiced professionalism before they step on campus.”

The FFA advantage

Across all seven universities, one message echoed: students with FFA and 4-H experience enter college with a unique edge.

“They know how to lead, serve, and communicate,” said Childers from Georgia. “They’re grounded and purpose-driven,” added Robinson from Cornell. “And they’re not afraid of hard work,” Emerson from Florida concluded.

FFA doesn’t just teach agriculture, it teaches life. From the research fields of Texas A&M and Purdue to the classrooms of Georgia, Illinois, and Florida, from Cornell’s extension outreach to Oklahoma State’s family-style community, each university shares a common goal: preparing students to lead agriculture into a new era.

They may differ in focus and geography, but their message to FFA members is the same: there’s a place for you here.

“It’s about passion,” said Childers. “It’s about initiative,” added Lutz. “It’s about adaptability,” said Emerson. “And it’s about connection,” Comstock concluded.

In the end, what colleges are looking for isn’t a perfect student, it’s a purpose-driven one.

And that’s exactly what FFA members already are.

Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.