The 87th State FFA Convention was held June 7-9 in Lexington, Kentucky.  Over 2700 FFA members and advisors attended the Convention which included general sessions, leadership workshops, state contest finals, and a Day of Service.  Highlights of the Convention included keynote addresses by motivational speaker Scott Backovich and National Southern Region Vice President Abbey Gretsch, retiring addresses by State President Wesley Estes and Vice President James Kash, and the presentation of numerous awards.  444 members recieved the State FFA Degree- the highest degree that can be awarded by the state association.  Convention attendees heard from Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt, Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, and Director of the Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy Warren Beeler.

James Clay Ballinger of Rockcastle County was named the State Star Farmer, Blake Quiggins of Hart County was named the State Star in Agribusiness, and Wyatt Wood of McCracken County was named the State Star in Placement.

Dr. Dwight Armstrong of the National FFA Organization and Beth Wisman of Kentucky Farm Bureau were presented with the Distinguished Service Award.    In addition to the parents of the State FFA Officers and the State Stars, ten individuals received the Honorary State Degree.  They were Dr. Kimberly Bellah, Teacher Educator, Murray State University; Mr. Brandon K. Davis, State FFA Advisor; Mr. Roger Dennis, Western Kentucky University; Dr. Rick Durham, University of Kentucky; Mr. Jamie Guffey, Kentucky Poultry Federation; Dr. Kristie Guffey, Western Kentucky University; Mr. Steve Kelly, Kentucky Exposition Center; Mr. Darryl Matherly, President KAAE; Dr. Stephen Pruitt, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Education; Honorable Ryan Quarles, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

The Convention concluded with the election of the 2016-2017 State FFA Officer team on June 9.

Click here to view the State Winners List.

Click here to view the Agriscience Fair Winners.