2018 Texas State FFA Leadership Conference

Tarleton State University will host the 2018 Texas State FFA Leadership Conference June 2-5 on its Stephenville campus.

This is the first time the annual conference has landed in Tarleton, which was selected for its strong background in agricultural education and central location.

“While faculty and staff go above and beyond to host several meaningful and life-changing FFA events and contests annually, it is a great privilege to have the leadership conference on our beautiful Stephenville campus,” said Dr. Steve Damron, dean of Tarleton’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The conference gives us an opportunity to help develop some of the best students in Texas into tomorrow’s great leaders.”

The conference will draw about 150 statewide FFA officers, who will spend the week learning about agricultural advocacy, education and leadership, participating in workshops and attending keynote lectures.

“Tarleton is the perfect fit for us,” said Colton Snedecor, chair of the state conference. “We think it will be a great home for the conference, which is the most elite FFA gathering in the state.”

Michelle Damerau, an instructor and contest coordinator in the College of Agricultural and Consumer Sciences, said the conference will boost Tarleton’s reputation among attendees.

“Tarleton is thrilled to host the FFA conference,” Damerau said. “We will essentially have the best of the best FFA students on our campus. They are outstanding in all aspects of agriculture, but they also have varied academic interests, and they will get a taste of Tarleton while they’re here.”

Participants will attend sessions in the Math Building and the Thompson Student Center and will stay in a Tarleton residence hall. In addition, Tarleton and AgWorkers Insurance will sponsor the FFA’s annual banquet on Monday, June 4.

FFA works to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.