Story by Jordan Pieschl, senior (ACJ)
The College of Agriculture welcomed members of the Kansas FFA Association to campus for state career development events (CDE) and 2015 Annual FFA Convention. Kansas State University hosts the Kansas FFA Association’s state CDEs and convention, and welcomes more than 1,500 FFA members to campus each year.
ACJ students were actively involved in both events. Students volunteered to help coordinate of the Agricultural Communications CDE and worked in the media room for the FFA Convention.
The Agricultural Communications CDE challenges FFA members to complete an editing exercise, communications quiz and practicum component. For the practicum component, each chapter team must complete a communications activity based on information provided during a press conference.
Susan Metzger, assistant secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, presented information regarding the 50-Year Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas for the practicum component of the competition. Each team consisted of a designer, electronic media specialist and writer. The designer created a poster, the electronic media specialist planned a promotional video and the writer prepared a press release.
Jason Ellis, coordinator, said the state-wide event provides a great opportunity for students to visit the K-State campus and learn what the ACJ major has to offer.
FFA members later returned to campus for the 87th Kansas FFA Convention. At this event, agricultural communications students volunteered in the media room. Students helped draft press releases, write blog posts and provide photos for the convention stage screen. Audrey Green, junior, said helping at the event provided a glimpse of what her role could be in a future career.
“Although the media room can be stressful at times, it taught me to work under pressure and to meet deadlines. Other agricultural communicators also helped with the convention, making it fun and educational,” Green said.
