Members of the Osage City FFA Chapter had the privilege of attending the 98th National FFA Convention, “Empower,” Oct. 28-31, 2025, in Indianapolis, Ind. Members that attended were Jaiton Bosse, Chyanne Wiley, Avery Thielen, Kimberly Knauber, Brenton Seastrom, Brody Thompson and Wyatt Pope, and FFA Advisor Danny Rice and his wife, Terry.
The students traveled out Tuesday, Oct. 28, stopping to eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory and the famous and historical St. Louis Gateway Arch and Museum before arriving late in Indiana.
The second day, the students attended the National FFA Career Fair and Expo and the opening general session. The Career Expo allowed students to explore various agricultural related businesses, as well as universities from across the nation. Students also had the chance of visiting the National FFA Shopping Mall and many other agriculture and western retail stores, including Cowboy Podcaster and Rodeo Time retail clothing owner, Dale Brisby.
The members were motivated and overwhelmed as they attended the first session of the convention at Lucas Oil Field Stadium, where nearly 75,000 members and guests attended. They heard inspiring words from national officers, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, and incredible and inspiring message from A’ric Jackson with inspiring words to students to make an impact and lead with purpose. Students ended the evening getting spooked at the 13th Hour Haunted House.
Day 3 led the students on agriculture tours, beginning at the University of Purdue, College of Agriculture. It was a small world, as a student who led the tour was a former student at Rock Creek High School in Kansas. Students were educated on how the university teaches areas such as entomology, animal science, horticulture and food science.
The van started up again and headed to Fair Oaks, Ind., visiting one of the largest dairies in North America. Students witnessed firsthand how technology plays a part of agriculture from the production and processing side of the dairy industry.
Following the dairy tour the students visited a portion of the Fair Oaks Dairy with a swine tour. The facility hosts 2,800 sows, where they farrow out nearly 80,000 pigs per year. After supper at Culvers, students reflected on their trip and worked on a presentation, which they will share with USD 420 Board of Education members and USD 420 Superintendent Ted Hessong.
As the trip came to an end on the final day, the students stopped at the Blue Springs Caverns on the way out of Indiana. The caverns are the longest underground navigable river in North America where the students board a boat for the tour.
Tired and exhausted, but certainly inspired and motivated, the students found themselves back in Osage City Friday evening. Great memories, positive experiences, new friends and better understanding of what the National FFA Organization can offer to students.
The members attending, along with Mr. and Mrs. Rice, want to extend an appreciation to the USD 420 board members, Mr. Hessong, Pam Whitmer, Mr. Kimble, USD 420 staff, and more importantly, parents and grandparents and guardians, for supporting and allowing this incredible experience to happen.
