National FFA Convention to Kick Off in Indy

(Image Courtesy of The Indiana FFA Organization)

More than 64,000 people will be in downtown Indianapolis this week for the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo. The event, which runs through Saturday, will also include an appearance by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. 

The convention will feature general sessions held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. FFA members from the all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will also have the chance to attend workshops and the expo at the Indiana Convention Center. 

"FFA members know that individually they can make a difference, but together, they are stronger and have a louder voice," says 2016-17 National FFA President David Townsend, a student at the University of Delaware. "The National FFA Convention & Expo gives members an opportunity to learn from one another on how we can continue to grow leaders, strengthen agriculture and build our communities."

Festivities will kick off Wednesday with the National FFA Band leading a grand march down Georgia Street, which will end at Bankers Life Fieldhouse ahead of the opening session. The organization will Saturday award the American FFA Degrees, the highest degree a member can receive, to more than 4,000 members at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The convention is expected to bring an estimated $33 million economic impact with attendees staying in more than 120 hotels throughout the Indianapolis area. Indianapolis is slated to host the convention through 2024. 

You can learn more about the National FFA Convention & Expo by clicking here.