Cavender’s is proud to support the Texas FFA Convention to empower the next generation of agriculturists. The Texas FFA and Cavender’s are both built upon the same underlying values: hard work, integrity, and passion. In the second paragraph of The FFA Creed, E.M. Tiffany writes, “For I know the joys and discomforts of agriculture life.”

Our mission at Cavender’s is to be a champion and advocate for the American worker. During both prosperity and drought, whether that be in farming, ranching, or anything in between, we want to support them.  We understand that agricultural work is one of passion, often being a thankless job.

Along with supporting the Texas FFA year-round as a Texas FFA Foundation Corporate Sponsor, we also have boots on the ground at their annual Texas FFA Convention.

2022 Texas FFA Convention

14,000 FFA members, family, and guests will convene this year in historic downtown Fort Worth to attend the 94^th Texas FFA State Convention July 11-15, 2022. Here, students are recognized for their accomplishment from throughout the year. They will receive scholarships and awards onstage amongst their peers. Students will also get to explore the three-day trade show, hear from impactful keynote speakers, and enjoy the annual kickoff concert.

On-Stage Recognition of Scholarships & Awards

A staple of the Texas FFA Convention is the opportunity for students to be recognized on-stage for their exceptional accomplishments throughout the year. These recognitions range from scholarships to winning state contests.

Scholarship Recognition

Every year, the Texas FFA Foundation presents around $2.3 million in scholarships for FFA members across the state. The scholarships are given to students who not only exhibit excellence in the classroom, but those who have also demonstrated their ability to serve others in their community through a mastery of leadership skills.

Cavender’s is proud to help further the success of these students by being a Texas FFA Foundation Corporate Sponsor. Scholarships for these students can range from $1,000 up to $20,000. Kallie Childers, former FFA member from Dalhart, says that her FFA scholarship from Cavender’s helped her take her next step in her college career. “The belief that Cavender’s had in my future made that much more confident to pursue my dreams of being a large animal veterinarian,” said Childers.

Award Recognition

Along with presentation of scholarships, FFA members are recognized for their proficiency awards. Proficiency awards are given to students who have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. There are a total of 51 proficiency disciplines. These range from Agricultural Communications to Wildlife Production and Management.

Cavender’s takes great pride in sponsoring three of these proficiencies: Diversified Livestock Production, Outdoor Recreation, and Veterinary Sciences. State Proficiency winners receive a plaque along with a $1,000 scholarship.

Exhibit Hall

Starting the second day of the convention, FFA members get a chance to check out the exhibit hall. A trade show filled with companies and organizations from across the country. This year, Cavender’s is partnering with Red Dirt Hat Co. at our booth to give you a unique shopping experience you won’t want to miss.

Contests

Texas FFA members have several opportunities to compete in events at the state level. These events include the Agriscience Fair, Public Speaking, Talent Show, and FFA Rodeo.

Agriscience Fair Contest

Students competing in the Agriscience Fair conduct research and present their scientific report to a panel of judges. Students have the ability to conduct research related to any of the following categories: animal systems, environmental services/natural resource systems, plant systems, social systems, and power, structural and technical systems.

Jake Bagby, state champion in 2016, 2017, and 2018 says that he found this contest invaluable to his professional career. “Competing in Agriscience Fair provided me with a valuable experience and new abilities that I have been able to carry with me into college and into a future career as well,” said Bagby.

Each Category is broken up into different divisions. These are based on the number of members competing, as well as the age of the members. Winners of each category in each division can win scholarships upwards of $1,000 dollars.

Public Speaking Contests

Qualification for public speaking events take place before state convention during the school year. Members have to advance past their district and area competitions. Speaking events are broken up into four categories: junior prepared, extemporaneous, soil stewardship, and senior prepared. Senior prepared is further broken down into six sub-categories: animal science, plant science, natural resources, ag business, ag policy, and ag tech/communications.

Talent Contest

The talent contest allows members to showcase their unique talent and skills in front of 15,000 of their fellow FFA members. Like public speaking, these FFA members have already competed at the district and area level, where they then advanced to state. Contestants in years past have done painting, stand-up comedy, and singing just to name a few. Many musicians, such as Cody Johnson, William Clark Green, and Koe Wetzel, have gotten their start on the stage at state convention.

Texas FFA Rodeo

The final competition is the Texas FFA rodeo. Similar to how high school rodeos are facilitated, athletes will have the ability to compete in breakaway, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, goat tying, team roping, bareback and bull riding. These athletes will also walk away with a $1,000 scholarship for winning their division.

Texas FFA Convention Entertainment

The final part of convention that students look forward to each year is the kick-off concert and keynote speakers. For the Texas FFA Convention this year, country music star Mike Ryan will be performing.

For the first time, the Texas FFA is presenting two keynote speakers: Houston Kraft and Mike Rowe. Kraft is professional speaker, author, curriculum designer, and kindness advocate who speaks at schools, conferences, and events internationally. Mike Rowe made famous by his hit TV show “Dirty Jobs,” now runs his non-profit, mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Rowe’s foundation focuses on empowering students looking to go into skilled labor and career technical jobs.

Help Support the Texas FFA

Cavender’s is proud to empower the next generation of agriculturist through scholarships and proficiency awards. The skills that they learn in the FFA will translate into success in their future careers, leading to a brighter future for the world. If you’re interested in furthering the mission of the Texas FFA and empowering the next generation of agriculturists, find more information at https://mytexasffa.org/.