FFA members from across the state will meet in Columbia, April 19-20, at the 90th Missouri FFA Convention to honor fellow members for outstanding achievements, conduct association business, elect new officers and participate in leadership workshops. According to Missouri FFA Executive Secretary Keith Dietzschold, the state association will present State FFA Degrees to 756 members who, as a result of their agricultural and leadership achievements, have qualified for the state’s highest FFA degree. Dietzschold also said Missouri has the largest number of American FFA Degree recipients of any state – 532 Missouri FFA members received the American FFA Degree in 2017 during the national convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in October. During the convention the State Star Farmer, the State Star in Agribusiness, the State Star in Placement and the State Star in Agriscience will be named. In addition, 620 FFA members will receive awards in 48 agricultural proficiency areas for development of their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. The proficiency areas are varied and include production, management and communications disciplines. In Missouri, SAE programs during the 2016-2017 school year generated more than $52 million in student income. FFA members will also participate in a number of organization program areas including speaking competitions and career development events such as agricultural sales, floriculture and livestock evaluation during the convention, as well as multiple other opportunities.