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Bainbridge High School FFA members recently traveled to Indianapolis for the 94th Annual National FFA Convention. There, they were able to gain valuable leadership opportunities and speak with FFA members from across the country. Those attending spoke on their experience at the Chamber Connect Luncheon last week, sharing their favorite part about the opportunity.

Senior FFA Member Brent Miller attended this year’s convention as a Convention Delegate for the first time.

“This year was one of my favorites, because is this the only year I’ve been able to experience National Convention in person as a voting Delegate,” he said.

Miller went on to explain that at the National Convention there are 475 voting Delegates, 39 of which are from the state of Georgia. These 39 voting Delegates represent more than 70,000 active FFA members in the state of Georgia.

“The Delegates shape our Constitution and moves our organization forward through committee work and recommendations,” Miller said.

The Delegates focused on several ideas to present to the Board, one of which was post-pandemic modifications.

“We basically discussed what are we wanting moving forward from the pandemic,” Miller said. “We talked about what worked good and what can we take moving forward. We also focused on the SAE’s.”

Miller’s time as a Voting Delegate allowed him to meet multiple individuals from across the country who share a common interest in the future of FFA and agriculture.

“One of the things I enjoyed about the convention was all of the networking opportunities,” he said. “I got to share my agricultural interests with people from all over the country.”

When not discussing agriculture, Miller, along with classmates, got to attend a Brett Young Concert and a rodeo put on by the National Convention.

Taryn Powell, one of the only Juniors who got to attend the Convention spoke on her experience as well.

“I had an amazing time,” she said. “It was great to able to go back and experience things from a different perspective. My favorite part was the concert, everyone joked on me because I never sat down; I stood up and sang the entire time.”

Powell said this year the FFA got to stay at the J.W. Marriott, where all Georgia FFA members had reserved rooms for their chapter.

“It was nice to meet all different types of people, especially the Delegates,” she said.

Powell went on to say she had applied to be a Delegate, but was listed as an alternate.

“It was great to be able to support my fellow members as Delegates though.”

FFA Sponsor Victoria Hill was proud of all of the attendees and knows this is something they look forward to all year long.

“It’s an opportunity for our students to develop leadership skills, experience new things, such as meeting people from other states, touring a large city and attending the National FFA Expo, where they gain hands-on experience from industry colleagues,” she said. “I am humbled and honored to be able to experience National Convention with an amazing group of young leaders.”

The FFA finished by thanking all of their sponsors for allowing them the opportunity to take the trip and have the experience of a lifetime.