This year at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo, FFA members will get a glimpse of some of the leading innovative technologies in agriculture today saluted via a unique “Operation Innovation Station” activity.
Working with exhibitors preparing to fill the the vast Indiana Convention Center during the FFA Expo held Oct. 25-27, FFA staff have identified 14 featured innovative technologies from these exhibitors:
- AGCO Corporation (Booth 1771)
- AgDaily / CarbonTV (Booth 2545)
- Case IH (Booth 1929)
- Dow AgroSciences (Booth 545)
- Elanco (Booth 2240)
- Lincoln Electric Company (Booth 2145)
- Merck Animal Health (Booth 569)
- Monsanto (Booth 1235)
- Purdue University College of Agriculture (Booth 1269)
- SAY Safety Zone (Booth 4502)
- Syngenta (Booth 1557)
- U.S. Army (Booth 2945)
- Wadsworth Control Systems (Booth 1856)
- Wyotech (Booth 2157)
The “Operation Innovation Station” activity – grab a convention guidebook map when you arrive in Indy for your own scorecard – will allow FFA members to connect with industry professionals and explore the careers that use innovative tech by challenging them to visit each station. Students will also get to interact with these innovative technologies through demonstrations and hands-on activities. Each station will be identifiable via a red map pin hung above its location and on the floor map.
Better yet? Completion of the “Operation Innovation Station” activity will offer attending members the opportunity to earn a free Ag Innovator jacket pin and chance to win some great prizes. To earn, visit at least five of the 14 companies, use the questions provided to have conversation and get a stamp. Then return to the AgExplorer (Booth 1056) to collect the pin and be put into a drawing for great prizes such as a drone, a 3-D printer, a virtual reality headset and a 360-degree camera.
The industry of agriculture is full of innovative technologies that play a role in producing a food supply that is safe, affordable and abundant. The next generation of agricultural leaders will be required to create and utilize innovative technologies and solutions to help meet the demands of feeding a growing population, and FFA is proud to highlight these advances being showcased at the National FFA Expo.
(Featured photo: In 2016, Case IH showcased an autonomous tractor concept at the National FFA Expo.)
Look for this symbol around the National FFA Expo to find Operation Innovation Stations:
