Texas Agriculture Daily

By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor

A sea of blue and gold flooded Fort Worth as FFA students from across the Lone Star State gathered for the 90th annual Texas FFA Convention earlier this month.

A new attendance record was set as more than 13,000 members and guests participated in convention activities.

Throughout the week, FFA members competed in various contests and events. Members chosen to serve as delegates conducted organizational business and voted to elect new state officers.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) had a strong presence at the event.

Staff from the state’s largest farm and ranch organization interacted with students throughout the week.

“I had several students come talk to me who said they used Texas Farm Bureau as a resource in their speeches and presentations,” Mia Balko, director of Youth and Urban Outreach, said. “They were very interested in learning more about us, what we do and how they can become better advocates for agriculture.”

TFB’s booth featured various daily contests to draw in visitors, and staff discussed the organization’s strong farming and ranching foundation and the need for young leaders to share their agricultural stories.

“Our future lies with our youth leaders,” Balko said. “A strong relationship with FFA members, their families and their agricultural science teachers will help us continue to increase agricultural literacy and awareness. They are our key to a strong and successful agricultural future.”

TFB also awarded a scholarship for $5,000 each to outgoing Texas FFA State President Cody McQueen and First Vice President Taylin Antonick.

“These two students traveled the state this year to talk about FFA, leadership and agricultural education,” Balko said.

The annual convention was held July 9-13.

TFB, who is a corporate sponsor of Texas FFA, 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.