FFA members from throughout the country converged on Washington, D.C., this summer to evaluate their personal skills and interests, develop leadership talent and create service plans that will make a difference in their communities.

More than 2,300 students registered for the 2017 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. Michaele Bryant and Katelyn Ward from the Bainbridge High FFA participated in Week Three of the conference. Michaele and Katelyn were sponsored by Pecan Ridge Plantation and Decatur County Farm Bureau, respectively.

FFA members spent the week under the guidance of professionals, counselors and FFA staff. In workshops, seminars and small groups, members focused on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals while undergoing comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters. The capstone of the event was a civic engagement activity where participants applied what they have learned to a hands-on activity. 

Members also analyzed the needs of their communities, developed wide-ranging and high-impact community service initiatives and hope to implement their plans with the help of their FFA chapters upon return home.

FFA members experienced the history of the nation’s capital and toured landmarks including the Washington Monument, War Memorial, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol, among others.

The 2017 Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored by title sponsors CSX, Monsanto, Farm Credit and weekly sponsor Valent. For more information, visit FFA.org/WLC. 

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 649,355 student members who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 225,891 alumni members in 1,934 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.