Leadership and career training opportunities are a hallmark of FFA activities, and in mid-November, more than 1,500 high school and middle school members will converge at Montana State University for a three-day event geared toward maintaining that tradition. The John Deere Ag Expo, conducted in collaboration with the Montana FFA Foundation, provides a range of opportunities; and to make it work, volunteers are needed.

Over the course of the three-day event, to be held Nov. 15-17, students take part in leadership development workshops, compete in career development events and tour the MSU campus.

Keynoting the 2018 event is Jerrod Murr, a professional speaker and the leadership developer of Paradigm Shift Leadership in Oklahoma. Murr will engage students through hands-on discussions focused on influence, strategic decision-making and service leadership. He’ll present his keynote lecture at 6 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Strand Union Ballrooms.

The dual support from John Deere and MSU are important to Montana FFA, notes Bill Jimmerson, FFA Foundation interim executive director. “The John Deere Ag Expo is an enriching experience for Montana students to learn about the diversity of career opportunities in agriculture and all that MSU offers in the ag and natural resource fields,” he says.

Jimmerson adds that the expo provides opportunities for students to develop career skills as they “emerge as next-generation agricultural leaders for Montana.”

Pulling together a major event like the Ag Expo requires volunteers; and for 2018, more than 400 judges and volunteers are needed for 21 career development events including public speaking, sales, an agroscience fair, mechanics and one of the largest livestock evaluation contests in the Northwest.

If you’re interested in volunteering to judge, check out the signup at signup.com/go/fsedOpa.

New this year to the expo is a career fair held in the MSU Strand Union Building Ballrooms on Nov. 16. Businesses interested in hosting a table at the career fair can register with the Montana FFA Foundation by visiting montanaffa.org.

The Montana FFA Foundation supports 97 FFA chapters across the state of Montana, representing more than 5,300 members. The Montana FFA Foundation’s mission is to cultivate partnerships, promote awareness and secure resources to enhance agricultural education and the Montana FFA Association.

Source: Montana State University