The Next Gen Conference allows students to explore a specific pathway through informational sessions, panels, and tours. Participants experience new and emerging ideas, trends, products, cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and more. In addition, they will delve into literacy and advocacy as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion, all while exploring various careers in the pathway.
From June 25 to 28, the National FFA Organization will host its summer Next Gen Conference in Minneapolis. The conference topic is Food Products and Processing Systems, and high school student attendees will learn through informational sessions, panels, and tours.
Attendees will visit Second Harvest Heartland, a leading hunger-relief organization; Cargill’s Food Innovation Center and Cargill Research and Development Center; Food Building, an urban food production hub that creates handcrafted food and beverages; and Ardent Mills, a flour-milling and ingredient company.
“We’re really looking forward to the students learning more about the value of food products and processing systems during the upcoming Next Gen Conference,” said Joe Martin, Program Specialist, Advocacy, Literacy, and Ag-Based Experiences, National FFA Organization. “One of the key goals of FFA is to equip our future workforce pipeline with talent that will feed, fuel and clothe the world. The conference is an educational opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that meets this goal.”
Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; participants are selected through a competitive application process. For the June conference, 68 high school students were selected:
- Arizona
Carolyn Meade, Yuma Catholic FFA
Dawson Rice, Mingus Union FFA - California
Mark Gutierrez, Bakersfield Mira Monte FFA
Dayr Salazar Galvez, Woodlake FFA - Illinois
Logan Goerks. Stark County FFA
Cheley Stotler, Stark County FFA
Tyler Worthey, Neoga FFA - Indiana
Curtis Davis, Western FFA
Akayla Eichmiller, Northeast Dubois FFA
Tristian Galbraith, Hope FFA
Emma Hosfield, Western Boone FFA
Loriese Myers, Cascade FFA
Ambrielle Sendejas, Fishers FFA - Iowa
Matthew Horstman, South Winn FFA
Ashley Mose, North Scott FFA
Kelsey Timp, South Winneshiek FFA - Kansas
Lauren Jones, Seaman FFA - Kentucky
Cyrus Bivens, LaRue County FFA
Stephen Lemon, Western Hills FFA
Miguel Salazar, LaRue County FFA
Mireya Villanos, LaRue County FFA - Minnesota
Grace Bayerl, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA
Brianna Fisher, Pierz FFA
Katlyn Gotvald, Pierz FFA
Bailee Gronau, Royalton FFA
Alisha Karst, Pierz FFA
Caleb Michels, Howard Lake Waverly Winsted FFA
Hannah Pawlu, Pierz FFA
Bethany Posch, Rocori FFA
Addisyn Schiller, Crookston FFA
Ellie Swart, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA
Lauren Vandenheuvel, Pierz FFA - Missouri
Skylar Calhoun, Saxony Lutheran High School FFA
Ada Mabary, Skyline FFA
Katherine Moulton, Russellville FFA
Matayah Steinman, Russellville FFA
Shea Stille, Montgomery County R-II FFA
Peyton Stubinger, Russellville FFA
Amelia Wilson, Saxony Lutheran High School FFA - Nebraska
Esther VanOverbeke, Waverly FFA - New Mexico
Nellanei Kee, Shiprock FFA - North Dakota
Acelynn Lagerquist, Central Cass FFA
Simon Schneider, Central Cass FFA - Ohio
Savannah Durheim, Big Walnut – DACC FFA
Elaine Rhoades, Brookville- MVCTC FFA - Oklahoma
Jace Melugin, Pryor FFA
Kale Melugin, Pryor FFA - Oregon
Matthew Averill, Tillamook FFA
Gracie Baker, Sandy FFA
Jacob Winchester, Harrisburg FFA - Pennsylvania
Abigail Beiler, Pequea Valley FFA
Jaylene Everhart, State College Little Lions FFA
Parker Yocum, Conrad Weiser FFA - South Dakota
Katrina Thon, Bridgewater – Emery FFA - Tennessee
Daniel Light, Stewarts Creek High School FFA
Kaitlyn Robichaud, Riverdale FFA - Utah
Lucy Draper, Delta FFA
JW Silcox, North Summit FFA
Kinley Warnick, Delta UT FFA - Wisconsin
Savannah Bailey, Luxemburg-Casco FFA
Alexis DeFlorin, Hudson FFA
Tessa Kamien, Mishicot FFA
Landon Ploeckelman, Abbotsford FFA
Faith Sopa, Amherst FFA
Jakayla Steinhorst, Luxemburg-Casco FFA
Elisha Vogel, Denmark FFA
Lauren Weed, Bay Port FFA
Carolyn Meade, Yuma Catholic FFA
Dawson Rice, Mingus Union FFA
