Clearbrook-Gonvick FFA Members Receive Personal Leadership Training

HACKENSACK, Minn. – Over 150 Minnesota FFA members gathered for the State Greenhand Leadership Conference (SGLC) at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Hackensack from June 27 - July 1 to develop leadership skills for their communities and home chapters. Members from the Clearbrook-Gonvick FFA chapter included Savanna Rankin and Kayla Ehlers.

The goal of State Greenhand Leadership Conference is to give personal mentoring to first-year FFA members.  These members come from all corners of the state, represent unique sectors of agriculture and have been recognized as top leaders in their schools.

During the conference, students cover an array of topics during sessions that focus mostly on personal development. Goal setting, professional leadership, and career exploration are just a few of the topics discovered during this five-day leadership camp.

“The State Greenhand Leadership Conference was my very first, and it was absolutely amazing, being filled with valuable relationships, and fun activities,” Minnesota FFA President Spencer Wolter said. “Throughout our time at the conference, we had engaging sessions, competitive team activities, and learned some great skills and activities to take back to our home chapters while at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve.” 

FFA members had the opportunity to connect with different individuals outside of sessions during fun activities such as volleyball, canoeing and hiking. Each night, the state officers shared personal reflections with the campers, and the final day wrapped up camp with a banquet, talent show, and dance.

State Greenhand Leadership Conference serves the Minnesota FFA Association by building talented and young individuals. These members often go on to become chapter, region and state leaders within their FFA chapters and communities. This leadership conference was made possible with financial contributions from the CHS Foundation, Northland Ford Dealers, and Dr. Curtis Youngs as a special project of the Minnesota FFA Foundation.

About the Minnesota 

FFA Association 

FFA is a national organization developing students’ potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education with more than 600,000 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Minnesota FFA Association represents nearly 11,000 members and almost 200 high school chapters across the state. Agricultural education engages students through hands-on learning in the classroom, work-based learning opportunities known as Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects and FFA activities.