The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is proud to welcome Indiana FFA members who will join more than 50,000 attendees from across the country at the 85th FFA National Convention Oct. 24-27 in downtown Indianapolis.

Members experiencing this convention will fill educational sessions, attend workshops and make lifelong friends. The highlight is always the final session when the new National FFA Officers are announced.

Indiana’s National FFA Candidate is Micah Matlock, Purdue student and former Indiana FFA State Officer. His preparation for this pursuit began more than a year ago. He is fortunate to have gained insight from Coty Back, former FFA National Officer and the new Assistant Director of Leadership Programs for the Indiana FFA Program housed under the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Matlock and Back share more about their experiences on the on the Indiana FFA Association web page. at www.indianaffa.org/association/site/camps/national_convention.

Additional Hoosier Connections at this year’s FFA National Convention can also be found there, including:

• National Chapter Awards
• Models of Innovation
• Proficiency Awards
• Speaking Career Development Event and Agriscience Fair Recognition
• FFA Agriscience Fair Recognition
• American Degree Candidates

“There are endless stories of students, teachers and families throughout our state who have been deeply impacted by their FFA experience; in chapters, career development events, supervised agricultural experience and leadership contests,” said Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay. “Like this year’s theme “Grow” – FFA allows members to grow exponentially on both a professional and personal level. My time in FFA and as a State Officer was one of huge growth and inspiration for me. I wish the same experience for our Indiana delegation and the more than 50,000 participants at the Convention.”