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Growing a Leadership Conference

Carl L. Pherson, Interim Director of Agricultural Operations, California State University, Fresno
(Origionally published in the National FFA Magizine)

FFA members can be fascinated by growth -- planting a sack of tiny seeds to grow a bountiful harvest or delivering a fragile foal to be trained as a champion cutting horse or welding small steel pieces to build an improved implement. Your 1999 FFA Leadership Conference program "FFA ... Experience the Power of Growth" is designed to help you grow in another dimension. Leaders get more accomplished by utilizing the strengths of many individuals.

Your state FFA officers and state Agricultural Education staff become partners with students, faculty and staff at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) to assure Conference success. This partnership grows to include Fresno area agricultural organizations and agribusiness professionals who also join forces to provide financial support and expertise. In fact, the partnership becomes statewide as other universities, community colleges, and agribusiness supporters participate in judging competitions, constructing displays, and funding awards.

Preparation for 1999’s conference started the moment the 1998 conference was gaveled to adjournment. While the facilities are reserved five years in advance, specific room reservations and commitments begin immediately. FFA officers, Agricultural Education staff, and Fresno State staff and student committees meet separately to constructively critique the past events in order to improve the next conference. During the summer, state staff and FFA officers harvested all of that feedback and began planting the seeds for your leadership growth experience.

Fall semester at Fresno State involves recruitment of the junior members of the student committee responsible for conference support. Most of these enthusiastic students are former FFA members who are planning to become agriculture instructors, so conference planning is really a professional growth experience for them, as well. Beginning the first week of the spring semester they join their experienced senior counterparts in electing a chair and secretary and beginning their assignments.

Assignments for the 1999 "growth" conference junior/senior co-chairs will include:

· Publicity - Fresno State agricultural communications students write and distribute news releases to television, radio, and print media. They schedule news conferences and assist reporters seeking interviews with officers and award winners. In fact, the growth in the success of our publicity efforts over the past two years requires that the committee be assigned its own Media Room at the 1999 event. Preliminary ideas to create a conference proceeding publication are also being discussed.

· Career Show - Participants can expect continued growth in the numbers of agribusinesses, government agencies, agricultural organizations, and educational institutions participating in this popular attraction. Fresno State students recruit and assist exhibitors and help FFA members discover rewarding professional career growth opportunities.

· Agriscience Fair - You can improve your growth in understanding the scientific basis for modern agriculture by visiting the innovative exhibits FFA members have prepared for this impressive display.

· Delegate Sessions - Lights, camera, action are all coordinated with Fresno Convention Center staff, Mr. Charles Parker, FFA officers, and a constant rotation of Fresno State students. A separate committee is responsible for stage decoration and props.

· Recreation - Get your dancing shoes ready for good music and interaction with popular radio personalities.

· FFA Entertainment -- Choir and Talent Show- Here’s a chance to grow in the artistic dimension by joining the state FFA choir in its second year. Or, perhaps you have a special skill to share in the talent show. Both activities receive logistical support from university students.

· Proficiency awards - University students provide set-up and scheduling assistance for the myriad of awards available to FFA members. The stories behind these successful award recipients are bound to inspire growth in your personal achievements.

· Tours - Plan to register for those eye-opening industry tours which become even more informative when Farm Bureau members, agribusiness professionals and students serve as guides. Irrigation and fertilizer industry opportunities will be included along with some of the most popular tours of the past five years.

· Other functions include transportation, elections and numerous special meals and banquets.

Take advantage of all these growth opportunities with industry leaders and fellow members at your 1999 State FFA Leadership Conference.

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