INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Local FFA members were selected to compete nationally in career development events at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Oct. 24-27.
The Anna FFA Chapter members competed in the agricultural issues forum areas. Elanco Animal Health and Syngenta sponsored the event. FFA members who representing the chapter were Liz Michael, Morgan Meyer, Jared Siegel, Alexia Wells and Derek Wolters.
Agricultural issues forum is one of 25 career/leadership development event areas, covering jobs skills in everything from communications to mechanics. FFA members present on a current issue facing agriculture to local community groups prior to competing in the national event. In the presentation both sides of the issue are addressed, allowing audience members to form their own opinions. Anna FFA members chose to present on Water of the United States (WOTUS). The entirety of the issue is deciding to what extent the farmers and citizens versus the EPA are able to manage their water. The Anna FFA was proud to see this team compete at the 2018 National FFA Convention.
Tyler Zimpfer also traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the area of prepared public speaking. Monsanto sponsored this event. Prepared public speaking participants are required to deliver a prepared speech on one agricultural topic. The speech must be six to eight minutes in length. Judges question the speaker for five minutes after the speech is given. Winners are selected on the written manuscript, speech delivery, content and response to judges’ questions. Zimpfer’s speech was about, The Impact of International Trade on Agriculture. As an important topic in agriculture today, he talks about how international trade effects the trade war with China, NAFTA negotiations, and how tariffs have negatively impacted agriculture markets.
