Ferguson College of Agriculture

This semester, the Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership within the Ferguson College of Agriculture hosted the National FFA officer candidates through a camp focused on preparing them for the National FFA Convention and the candidacy process.  

 

The event’s goal was for candidates to have an idea of what the interview process would look like, said Ryan Best, AECL graduate student. AECL faculty and staff, along with Chesley Comstock, Ferguson College of Agriculture prospective student coordinator, were responsible for developing the event.  

 

“It was a joint effort to facilitate the event,” Best said, “and we are thankful for the support we had in providing this world-class experience for students.” 

 

The weekend-long event was made to feel similar to the selection process the candidates experience at the National FFA Convention. This included practice interviews and speeches, as well as student workshop facilitation practice and stakeholder interaction. Along with the hands-on experience, candidates also had the opportunity to ask questions to past national officers and members of the nominating committee, Best said.  

 

In total, 31 of the 37 national officer candidates made it to Stillwater to attend the training camp. Of these, five were selected to serve on the six-member national officer team in October at the 97th annual National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Best explained.  

 

Through this camp, both the AECL department and the candidates benefited in different ways. 

 

“I believe the opportunity for our undergraduate students to interact with the best of the best that our nation has to offer in terms of student leadership is a valuable aspect of the program,” Best said. “Moreover, our program and college were able to showcase their quality and attractiveness to a wide swath of young leaders who have significant pull and impact in their home states.” 

 

This event was sponsored by InterBank. To learn more about the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership, visit our website.