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New London students attend National FFA Convention

As 55,000 FFA members and guests descended on Indianapolis from Oct. 23-27, memories were made and members explored a variety of careers related to agriculture.

The overall theme of the 85th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo revolved around the word “Grow”. Little would 33 farm boys who formed the National FFA in 1928 today recognize its diversity and career show taking up over six football fields.

The nation’s farmers have seen tremendous growth. In 1950, the average farm encompassed 205 acres. Today that number rests at 450 acres, and the average American farmer is feeding 154+ people.

It is with the surplus that American agriculture has lowered the number of people that are food insecure to 1/6. Efficiency has quintupled in this time but a child dies in the world every five seconds due to a lack of nourishment.

Monsanto, one biotech company researching for a change, noted that the same amount of food grown in the next 50 years will equal what was grown in the last 10,000, or the average farmer will feed 506 people.

FFA members were challenged to grow their future, their communities, their commitment, and agriculture to feed the predicted population of close to 7 billion people by 2050.

From the field to the classroom, ag education is creating a legacy for those who have a passion for some of the 300+ related careers to agriculture.

Another highlight during the convention was the opportunity to pack lunches destined to Indiana and Haiti. Throughout the convention, FFA members packed a million balanced meals from rice, soybeans, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins.

New London FFA members traveled with neighboring chapters from Waupaca, Weyauwega-Fremont, Manawa, and Winneconne. Tours included a stop at Miller Park, a value added store focusing on over 340 flavors of popcorn, and an animal preserve.

Participants appreciate the New London FFA Alumni and FFA Chapter for assisting with financial arrangements.

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