More than 500 Delaware FFA members from 36 schools convened at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in March to attend the 93rd Delaware FFA State Convention, sponsored by Mountaire.

Both high school and middle school members competed in career and leadership development events, participated in Day of Service activities, attended leadership workshops and a career fair, and were recognized for their efforts throughout the past year.

High school members competed in 12 events and middle school members competed in seven events.  

Members were recognized for earning American and State FFA degrees, which are a culmination of the efforts in their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs.  

During the first general session at convention, 84 Delaware FFA members received their blue FFA jacket from the Delaware Farm Bureau as part of its Blue Jacket Bonanza program.

After session more than 100 members participated in Day of Service activities. At the Day of Service, FFA members assembled 1,000 blessing bags for Delaware veterans. These blessing bags were done in partnership with the VFWs in Delaware. Additionally, members constructed cat and dog toys that were distributed to Delaware SPCA locations.

The following members were elected to serve as the 2023-2024 Delaware FFA State Officer Team:

• Sentinel Joey Nowotny, Laurel
• Reporter Keeley McCormick, Appoquinimink
• Treasurer Kyle Gares, Appoquinimink
• Secretary Anya Phillips, Milford
• Vice President Hannah Haigh, Milford
• President Noah Dixon, Lake Forest

Members also had the opportunity to participate in the Ag-stravaganza, a career fair that allowed members to learn about and explore new career options.

Participants included: Artesian Water, Bayer Crop Science, Brittingham Lavender, Carpenters Union, Coastal Equine & Livestock Supply, Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) - Forest Services, Delaware Farm Bureau, Delaware State Grange, DHSS - Office of Drinking Water, Delaware National Guard, Delaware Technical Community College Ag/Hort, Delaware Sea Grant, Delaware State University – MANNRS, Delaware DNREC Division of Water Shed Stewardship, Delaware DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, Food Bank of Delaware, Frozen Farmer, GROWMARK FS, LLC, Harvest Ridge Winery, Horizon Farm Credit, Kent Conservation District, Kent Nutrition Group, Merck, NR Hudson Consulting, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Pioneer/Trap Woods Consulting, Polytech Adult Education, Sussex Conservation District, University of Delaware, and Universal Technical Institute.

For more information, visit the FFA at www.ffa.org or contact Dr. Bart Gill, Delaware FFA state advisor, at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us.