Future Farmers of America Convention held at Eastern Oregon University

Future Farmers of America Convention held at Eastern Oregon University

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Future Farmers of America (FFA) met on the campus of Eastern Oregon University (EOU) on Wednesday, Feb 28 representing 14 area schools in a tri-county region. 

The College of Business at Eastern Oregon University hosted the Eastern Oregon District FFA Convention.

The annual convention included tours of EOU, presentations, meetings with the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program as well as scholarship interviews.

Assistant Professor of Agriculture Entrepreneurship Chad Mueller who leads the Agriculture Entrepreneurship (AE) program at EOU said he was “very pleased” with the turnout.

“It’s an opportunity for these students to explore campus and possibly pick a university for a local degree,” Mueller said. “Many of these students want to stay in eastern Oregon so this is a great way for students to learn about EOU.”

Mueller said the FFA gives young people a chance to develop leadership skills, from agriculture to team building, skills he emphasized help build good citizens.

FFA Chapter president Jayda Blackburn, from Union High School, was on campus and grateful for the opportunity to connect with other members. “Personally competing has helped me grow, I get leadership experience and I get to help other FFA students, younger ones, learn how to do portfolios and proficiencies. That has helped me learn how to teach.” Blackburn said. The Union High School student says teaching is something that interests her. 

Lane Peterson, of Union, echoes Blackburn’s sentiment, “It’s great being here. You get a day off school, get to spend time with friends, and talk about things you are good at,” Petersen said. “Right now this is valuable to me. Valuable to the ranch, my dad, the future of ranching and cows and cowboying.”

The Union High School student who has been part of FFA for three years said he values the workshops, and learning new information he can take back to the ranch. 

Fourteen school districts were represented at the convention, including, Cove, Elgin, Enterprise, Joseph, La Grande, North Powder, Pine Eagle, Union, Wallowa, Imbler, and Baker.

During an awards ceremony, Lizzy Taylor Iverson, of La Grande, was presented with a $500 Foundation Scholarship. Dakota Anderson, of Imbler, and Andrew Beachy, of Joseph, were each presented with a $500 EOU scholarship.  

Steven Regnerus, of Elgin, won a laptop in a drawing sponsored by the Oregon Small Business Development Center. Ryan Baily presented him with the raffle prize.