Missouri FFA Members "Say Yes to Opportunity"

The State Officers of the Missouri FFA Association recently conducted nineteen Greenhand Motivational Conferences in Missouri. MFA Incorporated helped sponsor the conferences. Seated from left to right are: Vice President Brandon Bothwell, Chillicothe; Vice President Shaylee Wallace, Branson; President Cole Edwards, Salisbury; Vice President Morgan Walkup, East Buchanan; Vice President Kelsey Elbel, Holden; and Vice President Yia Yan, Wheaton. Standing from left to right are: Madison Livingston, Sarah Prince, Kelsey Kellams, Alex Riddle, Area 16 Treasurer Ethan Cooper, Landon DeLisle, Tellasha Luster and Sydney Carter.

Over 4500 first year FFA members from more than 300 Missouri High Schools had the opportunity to learn about being positive role models, learning to get involved, making sound choices, becoming active team members and making a positive difference in their lives, school and community at the annual Greenhand Motivational Conferences. These conferences presented by the State FFA Officers and sponsored by MFA Incorporated were held January 6-9, 2015 throughout Missouri.

Through interactive workshops and skits the State FFA Officers encouraged first-year FFA members to explore and reach outside their comfort zone for the opportunities provided through FFA membership. They helped the new agriculture students set goals for their education, careers, and FFA experience.

Eighteen conferences were held at 13 different locations throughout the state: University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg; Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green; Truman State University, Kirksville; Sullivan High School, Sullivan; Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff; Missouri State University, West Plains; Lincoln University, Jefferson City; Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau; Waynesville High School, Waynesville; Missouri State University, Springfield; Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph; University of Missouri, Columbia; and North Central Missouri College, Trenton.

The FFA is a national youth organization of over 610,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 339 chapters and more than 25,800 members in Missouri. The FFA strives 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