What is your favorite part of the National FFA Convention and Expo?

Lexi-
When I have attended National FFA Convention in the past, my favorite part has been going to the rodeo or concert one night. This gave me a chance to meet other FFA members from around the United States in a laid-back setting. Energy is always high, and everyone seems to be having fun. It also gave me a chance to spend time with everyone from my chapter. Since the convention is towards the beginning of the year, I was able to get to know first-year members who traveled with us during this time. Moments like these are the ones I will remember forever from my time attending three National Conventions in high school. National Convention has so many amazing aspects that it is hard to pick just one part!

Jodie-
When I was a freshman in high school, I had the opportunity to attend the National convention in Kentucky. During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to go to nationals again, but this time it was in Indiana. FFA members from across the country all come together and when you are in the sessions, at the career fair, just walking down the streets, there is an energy like none other. My favorite part of convention was seeing all of the blue jackets. There was even a chapter in Missouri that had the same name as my home chapter! National convention is such an amazing thing to experience and be a part of, and if you are ever offered the opportunity to go, I would definitely recommend it!

Jake-
I had the amazing opportunity to attend National Convention in Indianapolis and Louisville. Though there are differences and similarities amongst each, one thing stuck out to me more than anything about National Convention in both cities. Yes, the trade show and sessions are amazing, but still, something stuck out to me. That thing is the FFA members that attend. From coast to coast, coming from countless backgrounds, this is what makes convention so special. A moment that is still ingrained in my mind is the sight of jackets from countless states walking around. I have a challenge for those going this year. Find an individual from each state, make a list and add them on a social media platform. By doing this, not only do you get to meet people, but you now have a connection in each state. You never know when you may run across that person again or be in their neck of the woods!

Cole -
I had the opportunity to attend national convention my sophomore and senior year, because of this I was lucky enough to visit both convention sites. I’d have to say while I can never get enough of the conversations you have with new friends you make, my all time favorite thing to do was to make it a goal to have a conversation with one member from every state! I found that the best way to do this was to go to the section of nationals where every state has a display, this way I not only got to meet these people but I got to see just what made their state so unique. I remember my sophomore year I was running out of hope of meeting every state but just before convention ended I saw a glimmer of hope by seeing a jacket with the last state I needed: Alaska. This journey made my national convention experience so rewarding because I not only felt accomplished for finding each state but making meaningful connections while doing it!

Lane-
Unlike all of my teammates, I have never been to the National FFA Convention. I have always wanted to go but due to athletic events, I wasn’t able to attend. My perspective for this will be one from the outside looking in from my years of wanting to attend convention. The most impressive thing to me is that there are so many blue jackets that fill the streets of Indianapolis. Having FFA members from across the nation shows that the organization is thriving and growing rapidly. It also shows how these members have a passion for agriculture with the drive and determination to make a difference.

Laken-
I was fortunate enough to experience National FFA Convention both in Louisville and Kentucky. Though both conventions were different, the atmosphere of Convention is always the same. There is no way to describe the feeling of being surrounded by 60,000+ people all dressed in the Blue Jacket. Instead of being back home where FFA is really only taken seriously by those involved, you’re surrounded by people who all share the same passion for leadership and agriculture. I have always loved going around the Expo, gathering signatures from different states and making friends. I also love sitting in sessions as they open with a laser show. The music is loud, the energy is high, and you know you are about to experience an FFA event like never before.

Chandler-
Being able to both attend and compete at Nationals is something that has highlighted my FFA career. The amount of passion, leadership, and love under one roof is breathtaking. What I would recommend to people going to National Convention is be up for anything. In my opinion, if you go with a mentality strictly of “ I’m going to do this, and then this.” then you’ll miss some of the great stuff. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons. If you meet a member from another state, go hang out with them! Explore the career show, sit in on some sessions, dance, sing, and talk to people from all over. This convention is an opportunity like none other. It’s an adventure. If you’re competing, good luck! If you’re attending, safe travels!

Gwen-
I have always loved National Convention, and have also been given the amazing opportunity to experience it both in Louisville and Indianapolis! Though experiencing the sea of blue on FFA Way in Indianapolis is a sight that will take your breath away. Some of my favorite convention activities are of course the Expo and everything it has to offer. I have also loved the tours my chapter would go on, as we would always try and explore a different part of the agriculture industry. I have seen Thoroughbred horse farms in Kentucky to Fairlife Dairy in Indiana. Also given the chance at convention you can come home and say you met someone from every state! Not many people can say that! Convention is just one of the most life changing experiences I have ever been a part of. The people and the experiences you have here will stay with you for the rest of your life! Safe travels, and happy National FFA Convention.

CD-
At the FFA National Convention, I love to walk through the trade show, seeing the new equipment and ag technology along with speaking with the vendors. Two years ago I remember seeing the new Atonmus tractor by Case IH. the future of farming is here and GPS is another tool for producers to use. I also enjoy to walk through the college booths, all over the country there are some great schools and I enjoy to see what each of them have to bring to the national level and compare to other programs all around the country. Just remember there is “Just One’ national FFA Convention Expo and it is a great time.

Have Fun at Convention,

2018-2019 Iowa FFA State Officer Team

Definitions

Every day we put definitions and labels on various things. Whether they may be on words, projects, people, or anything we see during a day’s time. Merriam Webster states that a definition is, “the action or the power of describing, explaining, or making clear.” Though we may think of this when we hear the word definition, I think a much different approach can be taken.

2015, my sophomore year of high school, football season was in full swing, my team, The North Tama Redhawks were in another “rebuilding” season. The last game of the year was on a perfect football weather night, one I will never forget. As we take the field, I march out ready to play just one more game, before focusing on basketball. I line up behind the center, the play starts, I get the ball and run into the teeth of the defense. As I am getting tackled, my leg is pinned under me. In that moment I knew something wasn’t right. I get carried off the field and await the diagnosis. A sprained ACL is what the MRI showed, no physical activity for three months. This was an issue because the basketball season started in only a month. What was I going to do?

At this moment there was a decision to be made. Would I let this setback hinder me? Or would I make the best of the situation? The decision was mine.

Fast forward three years, Freshman year of college at the great Iowa State University, (go clones), it is my first test as a college student, biology 211. I go into this with high hopes, I had studied hard and had an alright understanding of the topics, but as I start taking the test I soon realize I had not studied enough. Let me just say my grade reflected this and was a little rough.

I had another decision to make, my first test at college had been a failure. Would I let this define my college career, or would I make the most of this experience and learn what I need to do to be successful?

Many times in our lives we go through hardships and challenges. I am a firm believer that the decisions that follow these events are what define us as a person. How will you define yourself after going through times like these? Will you allow it to consume you or will you prosper?

Think back to the different approach I referenced at the beginning of this, that approach is how we define ourselves. What actions do we take to be successful? Are we taking any steps to do just that or are we complacent? I challenge all of those who read this to be intentional. After one of the hardest moments in my life, a great mentor said something to me that I will never forget, “Do not let this define you as a person, instead, let it be the direction that will allow you to prosper in the next segment of your life.”

Today remember, we all go through times of despair, times of difficulties, but how we react to these is what defines us. How will you define yourself??

God Bless,

Jake Hlas

Northeast State Vice-President

Don't Stop

In 8th grade my parents wanted me to get involved in athletics. Pella is well known for its success in football, so they suggested I try out. In a matter of days, I was standing on a grass field with a brand new pair of cleats and a set of shoulder pads too big for me.

A couple weeks into the season, we were practicing and I was getting the absolute snot tackled out of me. I managed to drag myself back to the sidelines to get a drink after a drill. My coach yanked the dirt clod from the front of my helmet and stared at me. “You’re stopping,” is what he said. I asked what he meant.

“You stop mid play because you know the tackle is coming. Instead of continuing to run, you stop to brace yourself. You want to quit getting destroyed out there?”

I viciously nodded yes.

“Then don’t stop.” He then promptly shoved me back on to the field for more drills.

He was right. I found if I met my opponent halfway I’d stay on my feet and get less hurt. Now did this magically transform my football career? No, but it did give me a unique perspective.

The older I get, the more I wonder about this principle of running at problems. How often are we told to stop and wait, to let things “blow over”? I wonder, does that really make us better off? Or does it more harm than good?

Let me put it to you another way, earlier this fall, I was able to go home for a day to help around the farm. The day before I arrived, my dad had cut down a large oak that had died earlier that spring. When the tree was cut, it fell into the branches of another tree, leaving it entangled. When I came home the next day, my dad told me to go get our Farmall M to move it.

The only way to get the tree loose was to shift its trunk in line with the path we had already cleared. This meant before I could drag the tree free, I first had to pilot the M onto a steep creek embankment to get the tree into position.

After tugging on the tree, the M idled noisily as my dad unsecured the chain, the tractors nose pointed straight at the water. Meanwhile, I was planning how exactly I was going to get out of this tight spot. Rolling forward was a no go, a tweaked front end meant steering was a struggle, on top of dad lending plenty of advice, I had a thousand thoughts running through my head. That is until the tractor's brakes gave up. I pumped them frantically to no avail as I hurdled forward. In a moment of panic, I dumped the clutch of the tractor and throttled up, sending the tractor in reverse. My dad jumped clear and hollered, “Don’t you stop!” Threading the needle between two trees and charging up the hill, the M and I found ourselves resting on the flat ground of our pasture, safe and sound.

In life what I’ve found is that there will always be something preventing us from doing the things we want. Regardless if it's an inevitable tackle that sets us off course or something we’re stuck in, it’s easy for these situations to rule over our lives. Often times it feels like admitting defeat and “waiting out the storm” seem like the only options left. Here’s the thing, if everyone did this then I have a hard time believing the West would have been won, the US would be the first to the moon, and literal mountains would be moved.

Today I challenge you, instead of wallowing in what’s going wrong in your life, choose to fight it. Stand up to it. Because your “it” can be beaten. Run right at and tackle your situation. Get yourself in gear, the time for doubt is over. Have a little Faith, and when you start moving again: Don’t Stop.

Go Get Em,

Chandler Jahner

South Central State Vice-President