State FFA Convention rolls into town

Today, Lincoln, Nebraska, is flowing with blue and gold jackets. Why? The State FFA Convention is in town!

Through the next couple of days, FFAers will be attending conventions sessions, leadership workshops, competitions and the trade/career show. Something new to convention this year is the recently introduced America's Farmers Mobile Experience by Monsanto.

This traveling display is designed to educate consumers on modern agriculture and the challenges farmers face to meet the growing demands. The new Mobile Experience is a traveling 53-foot trailer that expands into 1,000-square-feet of interactive exhibit space and is touring the country, giving people across the nation the opportunity to learn more about the vital role America's farmers play in today’s world.

The America’s Farmers Mobile Experience will be located on N Street, just north of Pershing Auditorium, and open from 1 to 7 p.m. (The street will literally be closed down for this!) It will be open for anyone who is interested. 

During the 24-minute tour, you'll hear about the challenges America’s farmers face, watch a video that spotlights an American farm family, and learn about the tools and technology farmers use every day that help them meet increasing global demands. Check out pictures of the Mobile Experience on Monsanto's Flickr site.

The Mobile Experience will also will be on East Campus on Friday, April 8. It will be parked south in the green space south of LW Chase Hall, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may also visit it then. But if you can't come to Lincoln to see it, you can take a sneak peak of the mobile experience by going to: http://www.americasfarmers.com/.

The Nebraska Corn Board has an important role with FFA in Nebraska. Not only do we sponsor three proficiency awards during the convention (Diversified Agricultural Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement, Diversified Livestock Production - Entrepreneurship, and Diversified Livestock Production - Placement), but we host a booth for kids to come by and talk to us about what we do, we help judge contests and best of all, we donate the use of an E-85 powered van to the state FFA officers each year.

New this year, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association helped create and sponsor a new opportunity - the Agricultural Issues Academy, which took place April 6th. This program was designed for Nebraska FFA members to learn about the issues involving Nebraska agriculture and gain the tools needed to become advocates for agriculture.

Also special to this year's convention, the Nebraska Corn Board is sponsoring Curt Tomasevicz to be the keynote speaker during the general session on Friday, April 8th. He will share his experience as an Olympic gold medalist in the bobsled event, as well as his connection to Nebraska farmers.