INDIANAPOLIS – The annual Indiana FFA State Convention is an opportunity to showcase the program and its members, according to state officials. The 93rd event is June 13-16.

“The convention is a way for us to come together and celebrate successes and growth through the year,” explained Tami Ketchen, director of the Indiana FFA Association. “It’s a way to continue, and to inspire, the growth. It’s important for students to see that. It’s a way to tell them, ‘good job on what you have done. We hope to see you on the stage in the future.’”

Convention attendees will elect state officers for next year, along with district officers and section directors, she said. The event will also include leadership workshops, award presentations and votes on a couple of bylaw amendments.

Indiana is the country’s 10th largest agricultural state, noted Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who serves as the state’s secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Just as the state focuses on how to grow and manage crops, it’s also necessary to develop future leaders, she said.

“As we continue to be a leader in agriculture, it’s important we develop leaders who can lead Indiana into the future,” Crouch stated. “(FFA members) can develop leadership and problem-solving skills. They already have an interest in agriculture. Many come from an agricultural background. They have a bent toward agriculture. FFA doesn’t only flourish in agricultural areas. It’s also in urban areas.”

This year’s community service project will be at Conner Prairie, an outdoor living history museum in Hamilton County, Ind. About 150 FFA members will clean up streams and woodland areas on the property, Ketchen said.

Crouch said FFA is the whole package when it comes to developing future leadership. “The convention allows us to showcase our young people. Not just them, but those things that make Indiana so special, such as the (Indiana State) fairgrounds or Conner Prairie. They get to experience agriculture in Indiana. I hope it excites them.

“I’m so excited when I see the blue jackets in Indianapolis. They’re not only future leaders in agriculture, but leaders in their schools. They are mature, they handle themselves so well.” 

Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, said he’s a proud FFA alumnus. “I know firsthand the hard work, dedication and skills needed for these members to succeed on the state level. We are fortunate to have the Indiana FFA Association within our Indiana State Department of Agriculture and I am so proud of the work done by our team, agriculture educators, parents and supporters to make this event happen.”

Crouch and Kettler, along with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, will speak during the convention. Holcomb’s appearance is planned for the 14th, while Crouch and Kettler are scheduled for the 15th.

The convention was at Purdue University for its first 91 years. Last year’s event was at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This year’s convention is also at the fairgrounds. Career and leadership development events will be at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Ind.

The 2020 convention was a virtual-only event due to COVID-19, Ketchen said. Last year’s convention was in person, though some pandemic restrictions were in place. As of press time, no restrictions are planned for this year’s in-person event, she said. Convention sessions will be livestreamed.

Organizers hope for an attendance of 2,000-2,500, Ketchen said, including parents and guests.

Indiana FFA has about 12,000 members, she said. The numbers went down a bit last year with COVID, but they have rebounded this year, Ketchen added.