INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, March 13, 2023/National FFA Organization) – This spring, 73 FFA members from across the country traveled to Denver, Colo., to explore careers in the animal systems industry. It’s part of the Next Gen Conference offered by the National FFA Organization.

The Next Gen Conference, which began in 2020, focuses on specific pathways — from animal systems to biotechnology systems. Members access new ideas, trends and opportunities that connect them directly with industry leaders. The conference is designed specifically to give FFA members hands-on, industry-relevant experience.

“We heard from our members that they wanted more opportunities to explore careers in agriculture. It was one of the reasons the Next Gen Conferences were developed. It allows members to explore their future careers,” said Celya Glowacki, the advocacy, literacy and ag-based experiences manager with the National FFA Organization. “This spring’s conference will help us cultivate future leaders in the animal systems pathway through a week of experiential learning, relevant education and networking.”

Members explored diverse animal operations around Denver and learned how to plan for their future careers. In addition, they learned about marketing, new technologies and unique opportunities in animal systems.

Members attending the #FFANextGen conference include:

Tanner Baker of the Mingus Union FFA Chapter; Lydia Bleak of the Camp Verde FFA Chapter; Ilsa Gooch of the Chandler FFA Chapter; Grace Groseta of the Mingus Union FFA Chapter; Raynele Harrington of the Chandler FFA Chapter; Aubrey Mulcaire of the Camp Verde FFA Chapter; Jaycee Peters of the Chandler FFA Chapter; Ellie Tipton of the AAEC-Estrella Mountain FFA Chapter and Danner Williamson of the Mingus Union FFA Chapter in Arizona.

Yuri Garcia of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter; Ximena Hernandez of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter; Kate Matthews of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter; Braden Miner of the Lincoln FFA Chapter; Nayeli Oseguera of the Hamilton City FFA Chapter in California

Ena Gibson of the Greeley FFA Chapter; Kole Hawkins of the Cedaredge FFA Chapter; Grace Monat of the Arickaree FFA Chapter; Sabine Mundt of the Greeley FFA Chapter in Colorado.

Delainee Ellsworth of the Deary FFA Chapter; Timothy Hebdon of the Nampa FFA Chapter; Pryce Romriell of the Rigby FFA Chapter; Laney Volkers of the Nampa FFA Chapter in Idaho.

Emily Bianchi of the Normal FFA Chapter in Illinois

Jenna Bushong of the Southmost FFA Chapter; Kaleb Crowder of the Hope FFA Chapter; Kirsten Cummings of the Cascade FFA Chapter; Dane Kissell of the Southwestern-Shelby FFA Chapter; Courtney Phillips of the Hamilton Southeastern FFA Chapter; Emily Recker of the Northeast Dubois FFA Chapter; Claire Wood of the Hamilton Southeastern FFA Chapter in Indiana.

Ashley Mose of the North Scott FFA Chapter in Iowa.

Brynn Collier of the Jayhawk-Linn FFA Chapter in Kansa.

Alaishia Joseph of the Zachary FFA Chapter in Louisiana.

Joanna Genemans of the Catoctin FFA Chapter; Tyler Witherspoon of the Westminster FFA Chapter in Maryland.

Sophia Barnum of the Mason FFA Chapter;  Rainey Schuette of the Saginaw FFA Chapter; Olivia Spencer of the Saginaw FFA Chapter in Michigan.

Grace Bayerl of the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Chapter; Kaylee Gruber of the Pierz FFA Chapter; Ellie Swart of the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Chapter in Minnesota.

Allie Eifert of the Jackson FFA Chapter; Karlie Ellis of the Silex FFA Chapter; Dylan Hoyt of the Audrain County R-VI FFA Chapter; Meah McCoy of the Archie FFA Chapter; Taylor Myers of the Jackson FFA Chapter; Paisley Nelson of the North Platte FFA Chapter; Gavin Rhode of the East Buchanan FFA Chapter; Kate Robnett of the Audrain County R-VI FFA Chapter

Cheyenne Silvers of the Northland Career Center FFA Chapter; Shea Stille of the Montgomery Co. R-II FFA Chapter; Elena Wirths of the Boonville FFA Chapter in Missouri.

Kaitlyn Crompton of the Jones Senior FFA Chapter in North Carolina.

Medora Ellingson of the Mandan FFA Chapter in North Dakota.

Emma Brandenburg of the Felicity Franklin FFA Chapter; Meegan Gleckler of the Evergreen FFA Chapter; Kaylee Jennings of the Felicity Franklin FFA Chapter in Ohio.

Brooklyn Matlock of the Cyril FFA Chapter; Jace Melugin of the Pryor FFA Chapter in Oklahoma.

Leah Flinchbaugh of the Eastern York FFA Chapter; Elyssa Gilbert of the Big Spring FFA Chapter; Hailey Houck of the Tyrone Area FFA Chapter; Carter Kennedy of the Honesdale FFA Chapter; Natasha Maddox of the Grand Canyon FFA Chapter; Reilly Rawlings of the Tyrone Area FFA Chapter; Charlee Schock of the Big Spring FFA Chapter in Pennsylvania

Marynn Enders of the Hendersonville FFA Chapter; Paige Pardue of the Hendersonville FFA Chapter; T. Wayne Williams of Woodbury FFA Chapter in Tennessee.

Ayla Janney of the Broadway FFA Chapter in Virginia.

Henry Koerner of the Big Foot FFA Chapter; Megan Schultz of the Adams-Friendship FFA Chapter in Wisconsin.

Carly Moore of the Wight FFA Chapter in Wyoming.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.