LORMAN — Recently, three students from the ASU Department of Agriculture attended the 83rd National Future Farmers of America Convention in Indianapolis.

“One of the objectives for attending the convention was to recruit students to Alcorn State University,” said Dr. Avis Joseph, research assistant professor of agricultural and extension education, who accompanied the students. “Over 250 prospective students for Alcorn State University were recruited, which we believed was a great success.”

The FFA is a service and education organization which is intended to promote agricultural education in the United States.

The organization has been more properly known as the National FFA organization since 1988, when the organization changed its official name to reflect the shifting nature of American Agriculture, which includes everything from biofuels to organic poultry pasturing. There are many facets to the FFA organization, and in the early 21st century, the organization began pushing a broader image, designed to encompass the many facets of American farming.

“The students visited many collegiate booths and attended exciting leadership workshops, presentations and panel discussions with industry experts where they learned what would lead them to a successful career,” Joseph said. “Students were introduced to interviewing and intervening skills, resume writing, they learned how to find the perfect internship, and acquired salary negotiating skills.”

In addition to Joseph, students were accompanied by Dr. LaShunda Anderson, assistant professor of agronomy, Clifton Peters, USDA liaison officer, and Akron Burks, research associate.