Pictured are the members, advisors and supporters of the Alabama FFA Association who could attend the state photo session during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.

The 80th National FFA Convention was an exciting experience for thousands of FFA members from across the nation. There was an attendance of 53,618 members, advisors, parents and supporters who converged in Indianapolis, Indiana for the event the end of October. Alabama had over 250 of the attendees participating in competitions, workshops, convention sessions and other activities.

We are extremely proud of Jennifer Himburg, a young lady from Ariton in Dale County. She has served the National FFA this past year as the Southern Region Vice President. Throughout the year, she has traveled in excess of 100,000 miles and visited with local chapters, business and industry representatives, and state and national leaders as an advocate for agriculture and education. Thank you, Jennifer, for making Alabama proud.

We had several state-winning Career Development Event (CDE) Teams representing Alabama in National Competition. The following chart identifies those teams and the results of their efforts. A special recognition goes to Roger Brothers and the Bibb County CTC "Forestry" team for placing 5th in the Nation.
 

Pictured are the Alabama delegates to the National FFA Convention with Jennifer Himburg, Southern Region National FFA Vice President. (Back, l-r) Salora Wright, Clements; Melody Murrell, Red Bay; James Paul Bailey, Sand Rock; Justin Posey, Montevallo; McKenzie Crabtree, East Limestone; Karen Baggett, Moulton; Leah Blalock, Daphne; (front, l-r) Scottie Hunter, Billingsley; Kimberly Henderson, Enterprise; Brendon Boyd, Marbury; Jennifer Himburg, Ariton; Christina Turner, Alexandria; and Beth Lott, New Brockton.

Nine FFA chapters in Alabama submitted applications for recognition in the National Chapter Awards Program. Those chapters are listed here alphabetically: Brantley HS FFA, Enterprise HS FFA, Eufaula HS FFA, Fort Payne HS FFA, Geraldine HS FFA, Montevallo HS FFA, New Brockton HS FFA, Pell City HS FFA and Speake HS FFA.

This program allows Chapters to receive recognition for the Chapter’s Program of Activities they conduct throughout the year. Each of these Chapters is very deserving of the recognition it received. We have other Chapters who do some great programs and don’t receive the recognition they deserve because the applications were not filled out.

The highest honor the National FFA Organization offers to its members is the American FFA Degree. This degree is bestowed upon members who meet certain criteria which substantiate their growth as a productive member of society. Honorary American Degrees are also awarded to teachers, superintendents, partners and others to recognize their support of the agriscience education program and FFA. The following list is of Alabama’s recipients.
 

	The Goshen Chapter had an exhibit in the Hall of States Exhibit for Alabama at the National FFA Convention.

The Alabama FFA’s membership of 13,991 afforded the Association 12 voting delegates to the National FFA Convention. The delegate process is an important part of the Convention and concludes the debate on issues brought out in July at the State President’s Conference in Washington, D.C. One of the important delegate issues to Alabama concerned middle school members.

In the past, middle school (7th & 8th grade) members were not allowed to advance past the state level in CDE competition. This limited the rights of those members, who may have won the state competition, to represent their state in national competition. Not all states have middle school members, so this issue has been difficult to pass because of the lack of interest from other states. This year, however, there was a lot of support for the middle school members to be included. The delegates passed a motion to "allow middle school members to compete with and against high school members in CDE competition." This is exactly the type of motion the Alabama members have been wanting. This motion will go to the National FFA Board of Directors for their consideration. Hopefully, we will get their decision on the issue in a few months.

Four chapters from Alabama participated in the National FFA Talent Program at this year’s convention. The Enterprise and Red Bay chapters had quartets who performed at various functions during the national convention. The Montevallo and Sand Rock Chapters had string bands who performed at various functions as well as on stage at the National Talent Review.

The Goshen FFA Chapter was responsible for Alabama’s Hall of States Exhibit for the second year in a row. They were selected as one of the top five exhibits for the second year in a row as well. The advisors of the Goshen Chapter are Rusty Yeomans and Kelly Pritchett.

Matt Barton, 2004-2005 State President from the Gaston Chapter, was Alabama’s choice as a national officer candidate to go through the nominating committee process. Even though Matt was not selected as a national officer this year, we are still proud of him and wish him the best with his pursuit of a degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University.

Jacob Davis is the Executive Secretary for the Alabama FFA Association.