Northland Community and Technical College is hosting high school students from 19 different school districts across Minnesota for a regional FFA leadership competition. The event will take place on Nov. 13 at the college’s Thief River Falls campus. The top two finishers will qualify for the state competition, which is scheduled for Dec. 9-10 in St. Cloud, Minn.
The FFA competition challenges participants in various agriculture and leadership-related events, including mock job interviews, parliamentary procedures, public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, creed speaking, Farm Bureau discussions, and conduct of meetings.
“The National FFA Organization and its competitions assist students in developing skills and gaining experience that can lead to career success, personal growth, and leadership,” said ADawn Nelson, Northland Agriculture Instructor. “The FFA Career Development Events (CDEs) that we are hosting at Northland provide students with lifelong skills that they can utilize throughout their lives. It’s a great opportunity for them to showcase their hard work, dedication, and passion for agriculture leadership.”
In addition to the leadership competition, students will have the opportunity to explore other career pathways at Northland, including agriculture, welding, uncrewed aerial systems, automotive maintenance, autobody, peace officer-criminal justice, and nursing.
“With the diversity of agriculture in our region and the growth of our agriculture program, Northland is committed to promoting leadership and enhancing our community,” Nelson said. “Hosting events like this provides our communities with the next generation of leaders equipped with lifelong skills while also providing career exploration opportunities at the college for students to engage with faculty and current students.”
Students traveling to Thief River Falls for the competition hail from 24 different schools: Ada-Borup-West, Barnesville, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Climax-Shelly, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fertile-Beltrami, Fisher, Fosston, Frazee-Vergas, Hawley, Lake Park Audubon, Mahnomen, Moorhead High School Career Academy, New York Mills, Norman County East, Pelican Rapids, Perham-Dent, Rothsay, Stephen-Argyle Central, Thief River Falls, Ulen-Hitterdal, and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo.
