Texas FFA
The Texas FFA Association is holding its 93rd annual state convention in Fort Worth, virtually and in-person, for the first time since its founding in 1928.
The agricultural youth leadership association held last year’s convention entirely virtually, during COVID-19. This year’s, which began July 6 at the Fort Worth Convention Center and ends Friday, is providing access to more than 139,000 members across Texas, the FFA said.
For people attending in person, the FFA is encouraging self-screening for COVID symptoms before arrival, social distancing and mask-wearing. It’s cleaning and disinfecting commonly used surface areas “frequently,” providing an on-site EMS station for people who exhibit COVID symptoms, and making sanitizer, wipes, and soap and water “easily accessible.”
“The health and safety of our members and educators has been and will always remain our top priority,” Austin Large, executive director for Texas FFA’s Association, said.
“As we look forward to welcoming a portion of our association who have chosen to participate in person this year, our team has made adjustments to our typical convention event flow and structure with COVID-19 precautions in mind. We will remain diligent in our efforts to provide a safe and educational environment this week for our attendees.”
In 2019, when the FFA held the convention entirely on-site in Fort Worth, attendance was 14,335 participants during the week, Large said. That year, the convention had 2,765 hotel room reservations on peak night, he said.
In person this year, the FFA expected about 10,000 participants in person, he said. As of June 4, the FFA had 2,485 hotel room reservations on peak night for this year’s convention, he said.
The FFA has held several conventions in Fort Worth throughout its history, most recently, in 2014, 2018, 2019, and, again, this year, Large said. “We will be back in 2022.” The FFA holds all convention-related events – general sessions, expo, workshops, and contests – at the Convention Center.
For FFA chapters attending the conference virtually, participants are able to tune into general sessions and workshops. Members attending in person can attend leadership workshops, specialized events and activities, an agri-science fair, and recognition events.
Throughout the week, the FFA is recognizing more than 2,500 members for their accomplishments from the past year and awarding more than $2.3 million in scholarships to students. Friday, the FFA will hold the 2021-2022 state officer election ceremony in person and and stream it live.
“It has been my honor to serve as the 2020-2021 Texas FFA state president,” Blake Mills, the outgoing president, said.
“I am incredibly proud of our association and the perseverance each chapter has shown over the course of this challenging year. As we move into the 2021-2022 school year, I am confident our members will continue to grow as leaders and show up to serve as stewards of society.”
Do you have a story idea you'd like to share with Fort Worth Inc. readers? Please send an email to our editor, Scott Nishimura.