Indianapolis, (Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2024) – More than 70 current and past state FFA officers started the new year by exploring Australia and the various types of agriculture the country offers.

It was part of the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, ILSSO, supported by FFA corporate donors Bungee and John Deere.

While in Australia, the students explored Sydney. Then they traveled to Canberra, where they visited with the counselor for agricultural affairs, agricultural specialists and agricultural marketing specialists based at the U.S. Embassy, a representative from the National Farmers’ Federation, and a representative from the Australian Rural Leadership Program. They visited perennial pastures, Reiland Angus and more. While visiting the Darlington Point District, they explored one of Australia’s most productive farmland, where rice and other cereal crops, fruits and vegetables, grapes, and citrus are grown. Students also visited Australia’s only independent agricultural college – Marcus Oldham College. They wrapped up their journey in Melbourne, where they explored the city and visited the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary.

ILSSO immerses participants in the culture of the country they are visiting while facilitating learning opportunities while the students are there. Throughout the trip, they had opportunities to demonstrate foundational knowledge of global values and diversity while forming empathy and awareness of domestic and global conditions. Those who attended the trip also did pre-work to prepare for the experience.

Students who participate in the trip are: Jayden McMillian and Rachel Perry of Alabama; Riley Swofford and Reese Mitchell of Arkansas; Natali Boerner of Colorado; Matthew Syrotiak of Connecticut; Noah Dixon, Kyle Gares, Andrew Nowotny and Anya Phillips of Delaware; Makenleigh Bledsoe, Mackenzie Cunningham, Kayelee Ehrisman and Jenna Larson of Florida; Collin Bauer, Lauren Beyer, Josephine Kelly, Annabelle Newton and Holly Schmitt of Iowa; Hallye Duckett, Delainee Ellsworth, Josiah Knapp, Kamille Mirkin and Clayton Moore of Idaho; Haley Bode of Illinois; Mary Jones of Indiana; Kai Cox, Karli Neher, Cecilia Newby and Sage Toews of Kansas; Casey Montgomery of Kentucky; Abbygail Davis of Louisiana; Brandon Boyer, Abby Dinterman, Hope Mullins and Hailey Ogg of Maryland; Lillian Houtteman and Dakota Spink of Michigan; Noah Erickson of Minnesota; Haley Rigler of Montana; Paige Bunn, Bethany Nichols, Abby Hodges and Thomas Perrin of Nebraska; Madeline Kluttz and Belle Merlo of North Carolina; Maisie Shimko of New Jersey; Courtney Taibi and Ella Underberg of New York;  Chloee Howard, Luke Jennings, Katelyn Kinsella, Anna Moeller, Kaydence Morris, Lauren Thornhill, and Emma Wells of Ohio. Jael Cruikshank, Ryan Mizee, Kylie Temple and Mary Thiel of Oregon; Lillie Cagle of Tennessee; Adam Hawkins, Anne Martz, Kirin Miller, Liberti Sell, Jadyn Smith, Grace Walbroehl, Kelcey Weston and Nathan Zerkel of Virginia; Nathan Heay, Kyia Hunter-Kanoff and Andrew Schulz of Washington; Garret Ammons and Coleen Mitchell of West Virginia; and Larkin Williams of Wyoming.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About Agriculture Future of America
AFA builds bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture through premier leader and career development experiences. With program participation increasing 28% in the last five years, AFA has provided 26,000 leader development experiences to college leaders and young professionals from more than 200 colleges and universities throughout 43 states since its inception in 1996. AFA has awarded more than $11.5 million in academic and leader development scholarships. For more information about AFA, visit agfuture.org.

About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 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.