The National FFA Organization recently hosted a Next Gen Conference in Orlando, Florida to help FFA students map out future careers in agriculture.
This conference brought 75 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors together to experience plant science careers and companies through informational sessions, roundtable discussions, and tours.
Wisconsin sent the most students of any state — a dozen (listed below) chosen from a competitive applicant pool.
In the application, students shared their Supervised Agricultural Experience, the work-based learning portion of agricultural education that applies concepts learned in the classroom to internships or entrepreneurship. SAEs of students who attended the conference included landscape installation placements, greenhouse management, vegetable production, and nursery operations.
The Next Gen Conference: Plant Systems tour locations around Orlando included:
- Wekiwa Gardens Greenhouse
- Scott’s Miracle Gro Research Lab
- Showcase of Citrus
- Cherrylake Tree Farm
Wisconsin students who attended:
- Lauren Weed
- Carolynn Backes
- Mallory Braun
- Gracy Fox
- Elli Johanek
- Jordan Berg
- Reese Cherney
- Rebecca Konkel
- Trinity Popp
- Magdalena Moehn
- Hannah Yeager
- Blake Mertens
“It’s always a privilege watching students attend Next Gen Conferences as they are eager to learn, network and grow,” says Joe Martin, program specialist, advocacy, literacy & ag-based experiences, National FFA Organization. “Once the conference is over, they’re even more empowered to continue equipping themselves with the skills they need to pursue their own individual goals.”
Learn more about the Next Gen Conference: www.ffa.org/participate/next-generation-conference
The next conference will take place in June in Pennsylvania and will be focused on agricultural education.
