From April 27-29, more than 5,800 students from around Georgia are attending the Georgia FFA State Convention at the Macon Centreplex. Throughout the three days, students are electing state officers, learning about leadership, competing in Career Development Events, attending workshops and awards ceremonies, doing a community service project, and more.

This year’s community service project was set up through Macon-Bibb County’s Parks & Beautification Department and Rebuilding Macon. Almost 800 students signed up to pick up trash, sticks, and debris; put down pine straw; rake leaves; prune shrubbery and low limbs; and more in Rosa Parks Square, along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail; in Jackson Springs Park; and in Camellia Garden Park. Students also painted the exterior of five people’s homes, and did did cleanup and beautification work at the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds.

“This was such an amazing project for us, and we couldn’t have been happier when FFA reached out to us wanting to help,” says Parks & Beautification Director Sam Kitchens. “To have so many students want to help clean up and maintain some of city’s most beautiful assets is truly inspiring. These students will make great leaders in their own communities and around the state.”

“This was a great opportunity for our students to not just attend a conference in a city, but to make a difference in the lives of the people that have been so welcoming to them,” says Agricultural Education Area Teacher Kevin Jump. “Thanks to Macon-Bibb’s Parks & Beautification Department and Rebuilding Macon, we got to improve several neighborhood and urban parks and help residents beautify their homes.”

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are more than 600,000 FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 42,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation. The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through agricultural education.