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The virtual event will feature state convention events such as competition finals, workshops, classroom activities and statewide recognition.

April 13, 2021

4 Min Read
FFA members in jackets walking
VIRTUAL AGAIN: Unlike state conventions in the past, the 92nd Minnesota State FFA Convention will be held virtually from April 19 to 23 because of the pandemic. Paula Mohr

The Minnesota FFA will hold its 92nd convention virtually April 19-23 with the theme, “Worth It.”

The event will begin with a virtual preconvention kickoff video via social media on April 18 featuring Artha Jonassaint, National FFA Southern Region vice president.

This year’s convention will be a mix of virtual sessions, statewide recognition, interactive state competition finals and workshops, as well as in-person, convention-in-the-classroom activities.

“When I focus on our theme Worth It, I think of the little things that happen in everyday life. I think this whole year has been focusing on those smaller things we’ve often taken for granted, and it matters that we recognize that even those less celebrated moments have worth,” says Ben Olander, state president.

The FFA Career Development Events (CDE) and Leadership Development events (LDE), important components of the state convention, will also be held virtually. The LDEs; Best Informed Greenhand (BIG) Invitational; and the CDEs, including Ag Issues, Ag Sales, Food Science and Market Plan will be held April 19-23, with results announced April 23. The remaining CDEs will be held virtually April 27-29.

“Because the convention is virtual again, it allows every student to get involved, no matter what resources they have,” says Emilee Xayanourom, state vice president. “This year there are even more interactive opportunities.”

One example is the Convention-in-a-Box feature delivered to each FFA advisor, listing suggested activities each day of the event. It’s designed to provide an in-person experience mirroring that of a traditional state convention.

The virtual format will include award ceremonies honoring individual success in Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), which represent members’ work-based learning within agriscience projects, as well as Proficiency Awards, State FFA degrees and State FFA Stars.

Students and chapters will be recognized for excellence in community service, agricultural literacy and leadership.

“The convention is an opportunity for students and supporters of Minnesota FFA to be recognized for yearlong and multiyear accomplishments. We’re proud that, even in this still-virtual experience, there is opportunity for every student to get involved,” says Juleah Tolosky, Minnesota FFA executive director.

State Star finalists

The 2021 State Star Finalists have been announced. The recipients of the top awards in each category will be announced live each morning on MnFFA.org. The categories and their finalists are:

• State Star Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Sciences, 10:15 April 19. Samuel Sauber, Staples-Motley FFA Chapter; Brooke Anderson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg FFA Chapter; Andy Krohnberg, United South Central FFA Chapter; and Braden Greibrok, Austin FFA Chapter.

• State Star in Agribusiness, 9 a.m. April 20. Selena Corona, Albany FFA Chapter; Eric Gunderson, Grand Rapids FFA Chapter; Mackenzie Henning, Jackson County Central FFA Chapter; and Jacob Ross, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Chapter.

• State Star in Production Placement, 9:30 a.m. April 21. Kallie Frericks, Albany FFA Chapter; Wyatt Jenson, Edgerton FFA Chapter; Mikayla Thorson, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA Chapter; and Elizabeth Thome, Southland FFA Chapter.

• State Star Farmer, 10:15 a.m. April 22. Daniel Jossund, Ada-Borup FFA Chapter; Jenna Caughey, Brainerd FFA Chapter; Aly Dieball, Sibley East FFA Chapter; and Anna Ridenour, Triton FFA Chapter.

The convention will feature keynote speeches from FFA state officers and the announcement of the 2021-22 Minnesota FFA officer team live at 1:30 p.m. April 23 on MnFFA.org.

Throughout the convention, content will be available on the Minnesota FFA website and the Minnesota FFA YouTube Channel. It also will be shared on the organization’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

The State FFA Convention is offered in partnership by the Minnesota FFA Association, the Minnesota FFA Foundation and the Minnesota FFA Alumni. In addition to events for students, the State FFA Convention will include programs for partners and sponsors coordinated by the Minnesota FFA Foundation. Events will include a Planned Giving Event at 6 p.m. April 20; an Honors Reception at 6 p.m. April 21; and the Making a Difference in Agriculture One Student at a Time event held in partnership with Minnesota AgriGrowth at noon April 22. There will also be a virtual reception hosted by the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association and Supporters at 6 p.m. April 22.

The FFA State Convention officially begins at 8 a.m. April 19.

The Minnesota FFA Convention app, which supplies links to convention events, will be available beginning Friday, and can be accessed online at https://crowd.cc/mnffa2021 or by downloading the app from https://crowd.cc/s/3ZLxW. Additional details and the convention schedule can also be found at MnFFA.org.

Source: Minnesota FFA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

 

 

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