Audubon Community School District

Audubon FFA Members at the National FFA Convention

Ten members of the Audubon FFA joined more than 70,000 alumni members, FFA

student members and supporters from across the country at the 97 th National FFA

Convention & Expo in Indianapolis on October 22 nd – October 25 th , 2024. Audubon

FFA members Karson Hansen, Kye Gleason, Leyton Elmquist, Aiden Kjergaard,

Braeden Christensen, Collin Hansen, Kaleb Nelson, Katelyn Dreher, Whitney

Petersen, and Lucy Stanerson along with advisor, Mrs. Brittany Elmquist were in

attendance. The National FFA Convention is the largest annual youth organization

gathering in the nation.

Audubon FFA members participated in several tours while gone for the week in

Iowa and Indiana. Tours included:

Kinze Manufacturing, Williamsburg, IA – Members visited the Innovation Center and

toured the factory tour. They learned about Kinze’s rich heritage and how their

technology helped shape the future of farming. The plant was in the process of

building their planters and members were fascinated by the process.

Hummel Livestock, Cabery, IL – Dale Hummel and his family discussed many

livestock aspects of the livestock industry with members from genetics to

marketing. Dale and his wife Holly started breeding Savannah cats and have a very

successful cattery that expanded into raising and selling show goats, and Argentine-

Based Angus.

Ozark Fisheries, Martinsville, IN – Ozark Fisheries is a 4 th generation family owned

and operated ornamental goldfish and koi farm. Members visited the hatchery,

production, and shipping facilities. This was a hands-on experience were students

learned about fish management, biology, and natural resources.

Montrose Farms Alpaca Ranch, Brownsburg, IN – Members learned about Suri

alpacas including the care, management, breeding, by-products, and agritourism

while at the farm that housed 30 alpacas.

Oinking Acres Farm Rescue and Sanctuary, Brownsburg, IN – Oinking Acres is a non-

profit organization established to “rescue, rehabilitate, rehome, and advocate for

abandoned, neglected, abused, and unwanted pot-bellied pigs and other farm

animals in our community.” Since opening in 2017, they have rescued over 500 pot-

bellied pigs. Members enjoyed hearing how the sanctuary was started by a teenager

and how it has grown into a very successful non-profit.

While at the convention members visited with numerous agricultural businesses

and exhibitors about career opportunities and products along with learning about

possible majors from colleges and universities from across the United States in the

National FFA Expo. This expo featured industry leaders in all areas of agriculture,

food science, natural resources, and education. Members also had the opportunity

to attend leadership and personal growth workshops.

Audubon FFA members heard from National FFA Officers as they gave reflections

centered around “Engage.” The chapter also heard an inspirational message from

keynote speaker, Kevin Wanzer. Mr. Wanzer is one of the nation’s top motivational

comedians. His outrageously entertaining and engaging keynote gave members a

mindset empowering them to create inclusive, productive, supportive environments

in the lives, schools, and communities. The sessions were full of FFA recognition and

highlighted opportunities for members all taking place in the Lucas Oil Stadium,

home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL team.

Members attended the sold-out concert of country artists Nate Smith and Megan

Moroney and enjoyed a night at the Indy Scream Park, Indiana’s scariest haunted

house and top five in the United States.

New friends were made as Audubon members traveled with other local FFA

chapters including AC/GC, Exira – EHK, Harlan and Riverside. The chapters

chartered a bus through Hawkeye Stages and enjoyed the week together learning

about agriculture and continuing to be inspired by the National FFA Organization.