During the first week of November, 10 members of the Bowling Green FFA chapter were selected to travel to Indianapolis to attend the 96th annual National FFA Convention and Expo.

The members chosen were seniors Cole Brokaw, Zack Bechstein, Drew Thomas and Cece Dye, as well as junior members Annie Urban, Clare Tussing, Natalee Harris, Addie Naus and sophomore members Angela Ducat and Gavin Roessner. BG FFA traveled to the event with Oak Harbor FFA and Otsego FFA.

On the way to Indianapolis Nov. 1, the chapter stopped at Tyson Fresh Meats where they toured the facility. Members learned about the process of harvesting, processing and packaging pork products. The chapter ended the night attending the FFA concert at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They saw popular country singer Lainey Wilson and her opener, Dillon Carmichael.

The events of Nov. 2 were kicked off by the opening session where all members in attendance were treated to a performance from the FFA chorus and band, reflections from the National FFA officers, introduction of the states, and most notably the keynote speaker, Juan Bendaña. Bendaña presented about having confidence. He often used the phrase “Be like Pepe” from his experience on a vacation while facing a fear.

Members then had time at the expo where there were hundreds of agricultural colleges and businesses from all over the country for members to visit and interact with as well as a shopping area for FFA members to buy souvenirs.

That evening, BG FFA members were treated to dinner at Harry and Izzy’s steak house. The food and service were amazing, but the company was even better and the members took this opportunity to develop stronger bonds amongst each other. After dinner, members had fun at Bad Axe where they bonded and competed with each other in axe throwing.

Other than the extensive time spent at the convention center, BG FFA attended general convention sessions as well. During the second session, President Addie Naus and Vice President Drew Thomas had the honor to walk across the stage to receive the 3-Star Chapter award for BG FFA. This is the highest rating a chapter can receive.

On the morning of Nov. 3, the chapter left Indianapolis but the trip wasn’t over yet. The chapter stopped at Fair Oaks farm for a tour. Members toured the dairy barns and the pig barn. On the tour they saw the production of dairy and saw the stages of pregnancy in pigs along with the delivery of piglets and a calf.

Convention ended with the American FFA Degree session. The BG FFA American FFA Degree recipients for 2023 were Gretchen Germann and Nathan Harris.

The American FFA Degree is the highest degree a FFA member can achieve and over 4,000 American FFA Degrees were handed out this year at the National FFA Convention. That number represents less than 2% of all FFA members, making it one of the organization’s highest honors.

In October, members attended the Chapter Degree ceremony at Otsego High School. 32 BG FFA members earned this degree. The Chapter Degree is the highest degree that a member can earn at the local chapter level. The degrees were presented by President Addie Naus and Advisor Stephanie Conway.

On Oct. 7, the annual Fruit and Nut sale was kicked off. The sale is the only fundraiser the chapter does to raise money for its activities throughout the year.

All FFA classes were visited by Ohio State Treasurer Emma Wells, where members did in class team building and leadership activities while learning more about the FFA organization.

The Bowling Green Agricultural Education Department is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.

The Bowling Green FFA Chapter kicked off the year with their annual tailgate on Sept. 22 before the Bowling Green vs. Oregon Clay football game. Members raised $1,012 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Toledo.

(Submitted for BGHS FFA Advisor Stephanie Conway).