By Macie Clugston
TFB Communications Intern
Usually known for the stockyards, livestock show, rodeo and its cowboys, Cowtown was instead known for blue corduroy jackets this week during the 91st annual Texas FFA State Convention.
A sea of blue and gold flooded Fort Worth for the annual event, which set a record attendance with more than 13,300 members and guests participating in convention activities.
Throughout the convention, members competed in several contests and events. A select group of members served as delegates and conducted business for the student-led organization.
The students at the convention are invested in leadership, agriculture and their communities, Texas FFA State President Cory Sinkule said. These three qualities unite Texas FFA members.
“The students in Texas FFA are all united by something other than their FFA jacket,” Sinkule said. “They all have one mission and that is to grow and become successful. These students connect from all over Texas by sharing that mission.”
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) exhibited a booth in the trade show and participated in convention activities as a corporate sponsor of the youth organization.
Staff from the state’s largest farm and ranch organization interacted with students throughout the week.
“We discussed things like the Youth Leadership Conference, scholarship opportunities and the Free Enterprise Speech contest,” Mia Balko, TFB director of Youth and Urban Outreach, said. “Having games like life-size Jenga, Connect Four and the hula hoop contest gave our staff the opportunity to have a captive audience in order to talk about youth opportunities.”
The convention theme, Illuminate, inspired students to focus on their positive and forget the darkness and negativity, Camille Bell, Texas FFA vice president, said.
“We all have a light inside of us brighter than any darkness. We can serve others by leading with our light,” Bell said. “By doing this, we experience a heart and mind change to illuminate the world.”
And TFB wants to help inspire FFA members and assist them in their future endeavors.
As a corporate sponsor of Texas FFA, TFB provides a complimentary membership to each of the more than 1,000 Texas FFA chapters. The relationship between the two organizations can help influence students to choose a career in agriculture and assists the chapters with agricultural advocacy efforts.
TFB also awarded a $6,000 scholarship to Sinkule, Texas FFA state president, and a $4,000 Preston Cummings, Texas FFA first vice president. These two served as the state travel team and visited more than 290 schools advocating for youth leadership and agriculture.
The annual convention was held July 15-19.