Nearly 55,000 FFA members and guests gathered to learn about careers in the agriculture industry, compete for scholarships, volunteer in the community and shape the future of the National FFA Organization in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 24-27.

The theme for the convention and expo was “GROW,” which embodies so much of what we are all about – growing our leadership skills, our businesses, our crops and livestock, our families and our responsibilities to our fellow men and women, according to local adviser Tom Wolff.

The five members from the Dell Rapids FFA chapter that had the opportunity to “grow” by attending the National FFA Convention were Heidi Anderson, Matt Boever, A.J. Peterson, Deni Ahlers and Demi Erickson. In addition to the members attending, Mr. Wolff, the FFA adviser of the Dell Rapids FFA chapter, also attended as one of the chaperones for all of the members attending from South Dakota on the state chartered busses.

The three members from the Baltic FFA chapter present were Kyler Johnson, Tim Wilhelmsen and Jared Kracht.

On the way to the convention, the South Dakota group stopped at Waterloo, Iowa, for a tour of the John Deere manufacturing plant where they make tractors ranging from 125 to 560 horsepower. Once in Indianapolis, the members also got to tour the National FFA Center and attend the World’s Toughest Rodeo, bringing the best bull and bronco riders to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

While at the convention they attended various business sessions with keynote speakers, including Scott Hamilton, Walter Bond and Josh Bleill. The members also had the opportunity to look at more than 300 booths representing colleges, agriculture-related companies, fundraising companies, U.S. Armed Services and auto and truck manufacturers at the FFA Expo.

The members from South Dakota participated in the Rally to Fight Hunger, where about 10,000 members and advisers helped to pack more than 1 million meals during the three days of convention to provide relief from hunger and malnutrition.