January 25, 2019

Media Advisory- Farm Bureau-FFA Acquaintance Day

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the annual Farm Bureau FFA Acquaintance Day at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The event begins with registration at 8:45 a.m. and the opening session at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 29 at the Student Center Ballrooms.

With close to 400 local FFA high school students expected to attend the event, campus will be buzzing with activity. The day not only provides practical training of leadership skills to the students, but it also makes them aware of the importance and benefits of Farm Bureau in the agriculture industry.

This year’s theme is “Believe,” featuring workshops on the future of agriculture, the benefits of philanthropy, the importance of believing in yourself and more. The Southern Illinois Gumdrops donated 400 meal kits that students will assemble to distribute to local individuals in need. Workshops will be held from 10-12, with a closing ceremony at noon.

Various speakers will be in attendance, including representatives from the Illinois Farm Bureau, a panel discussion from area agriculture producers, the Illinois FFA Major Officer team, Dean Karen Midden, Provost Meera Komarraju and SIU students from the College of Agricultural Sciences.

The College of Agricultural Sciences, SIU Collegiate Farm Bureas and SIU Collegiate FFA host the annual event. Additionally, the Southern Illinois County Farm Bureaus are sponsoring the event, including the counties of Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope-Hardin, Pulaski-Alexander, Randolph, Saline, Union, Washington, White and Williamson.

For more information, contact Susan Graham at 618/453-1764 or sgraham@siu.edu.