The National FFA Organization is proud to host Next Gen conferences for members three times a year that focus on specific career pathways to in-demand industries. Earlier this month, the first FFA Next Gen Conference of 2026 was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a focus on hands-on learning in power, structural and technical systems.
FFA members apply to attend Next Gen conferences, which provide an opportunity to map out their future careers through exploration sessions, industry roundtable discussions and tours. The Raleigh event took place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in the Research Triangle, with 72 FFA members participating from around the country. Members toured John Deere Turf Care and BASF during the conference.
“We know FFA members are the next generation of leaders who will fill the talent pipeline in not only agriculture, but other related and in-demand industries,” said Ashli Weinrich, program specialist, Advocacy, Literacy & Ag Based Experiences, Programs and Events Division, National FFA Organization. “These Next Gen conferences open doors for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to get an in-depth look at career opportunities for their futures before they even graduate high school.”
FFA is the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the country, with more than one million members in all 50 states, as well as two territories, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the organization was rebranded to FFA because it now gives students skills to prepare for more than 350 careers in business, science, engineering, education, communications, policy and more.
The March conference brought together 30 sophomores, 22 juniors, and 20 seniors from more than 22 states to develop employability skills, discover career interests and goals, and network with professionals working in these fields. The National FFA Organization covers lodging, meals and other expenses during the conference through the generosity of corporate partners. In Raleigh, sponsors included John Deere as a Level 1 Corporate Sponsor, Case IH, New Holland, and CNH Industrial as Level 2 Corporate Sponsors, and AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) as a Level 3 Corporate Sponsor.
Each tour stop is carefully planned to provide a learning experience for student attendees. John Deere Turf Care is a manufacturing facility for its commercial golf lines. Members were able to see one of their commercial power lines, participate in a panel discussion with a few employees and complete an activity building a product that can hold weight while trying to make it as light as possible. FFA members participating in these immersive experiences can then develop a road map for their futures, as they take the next steps after high school graduation.
The following high school students were selected to attend the conference through a competitive application process:
Arizona
Amy Cardenas Dewar
Rylee Hernandez-Bello
Devin Williamson
Dixon Williamson
Delaware
Brayden Street
Levi Wood
Illinois
Kooper Kitterman
Owen Mercer
Indiana
Garrett Adams
Bailey Anderson
Brooks Johnson
Kansas
Jeremiah Beckelhimer
Lauryn Caviness
Blake Proietti
Levi Smith
Kentucky
Avery Bivens
Tyler Dunn
Louisianna
Jaxon Moreaux
Massachusetts
Isabel Furkart
Allison Lynch
Minnesota
Caden Fravel
Missouri
Trever Entsminger
Raygan Mayes
Tyler Mitchell
Reed Pottebaum
Stuart Puckett
Bryce Winchester
Fisher Young
New Mexico
Zaden Bahr
Tenisha Dick
Maliek Green
Bryson Klinger
Sherilyn Lieb
Aria Lomas
Sophia Muniz
Jude Rodriguez
Malakai Rubio-Saenz
Crayton Scott
Lane Skeen
Jacob Williams
Bailey Yazzie
New York
Lucas Grey
Brodie Wojcikowski
North Carolina
Ian Martin
North Dakota
Marisa Mumm
Ohio
Austin Atherton
Jeremiah Beckelhimer
Mason Burnett
Jona Carnahan
Molly Elvey
Jaxson Hampshire
Drew Harris
Pennsylvania
Jack Ross
Frances Weaver
South Carolina
Stafford Chou
William Cutshall
Chris Page
Cale Peachey
Garland Wilson
South Dakota
Jordan Herrlein
Preston O’Connor
Tennessee
Conner Dickson
Ryan Glascock
Joseph Goodwin
Elijah Rogers
Washington
Conrad Nelson
West Virginia
Madalynn Winans
Wisconsin
Aden Duffy
Kasen Hasheider
Kyle Hellenbrand
Allison Maulsby
Kellyn Woodworth
Next Gen Conferences occur three times this year in different states, each with the goal of preparing the next generation of leaders who will feed, fuel, clothe and sustain the world through educational and career exploration opportunities. The next conferences will take place in Chicago and Kansas City later this year. You can find out about other conferences planned for 2026 by visiting https://www.ffa.org/participate/next-generation-conference/
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,407 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
