An elite group of 43 FFA Alumni, between the ages of 18-24, from 21 states across the country were selected to attend the New Century Farmer Conference, taking place July 23-27 in Des Moines, Iowa. The conference is designed for two- and four-year college students interested in pursuing a career in production agriculture.
The New Century Farmer program offers former FFA members a look inside the business operations of farming. Conference participants represent various agriculture career interests and supervised agricultural experiences. The majority of attendees are interested in ownership and entrepreneurship, as well as agribusiness and animal careers.
“The New Century Farmer program provides a pathway for FFA Alumni to advance their leadership, personal and career skills,” said Allie Ellis, National FFA Alumni and Supporters associate director. “The conference is a dedicated time for attendees to explore diverse farm operations with industry experts and learn what it takes to launch and maintain a successful career in agriculture.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2021, agriculture and related industries made up over 10% of U.S. employment, and the New Century Farmer Conference is positioned to amplify the trends and needs to grow the industry further. Careers in agriculture continue to show immense value by way of supporting livelihoods across the globe.
Those attending the conference this year include:
Arizona
Jack Owen
Kaitlyn Lunt
Connecticut
Joseph LaFlamme
Matthew Syrotiak
Savanah Battles
Idaho
Katherine Doumit
Indiana
Brady McNealy
Jack Hoene
Nick Stoner
Iowa
Hailey Harbison
Maryland
Sierra Criste
Michigan
Amara Jackson
Minnesota
Noah Erickson
Rachel Madsen
Missouri
Connor Candler
Joel Robertson
Logan Elliott
Montana
Grace Aisenbrey
Sierra Owens
New Jersey
Ryan Wright
North Carolina
Anna Brown
John McCrimmon
Rebekah Russell
Trace Guyer
Ohio
Ashley Bergman
Oklahoma
Braeden Coon
Kevin Bornemann
South Carolina
Kinlyn Hinson
South Dakota
Carson Weber
Tennessee
Kathleen Greuling
Rose Greuling
Texas
Kasee Vanessa Parker
Utah
David Sanders
Virginia
Jackson Lohr
Wisconsin
Aubrey Schlimgen
Curtis Weltzien
Grace Link
Libby Hasheider
Matthew Fischer
Nate Seitz
Ryan Erickson
Taylor Baerwolf
New Century Farmer is sponsored by Case IH, Corteva Agriscience, Farm Credit, John Deere and Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
