April 15, 2009

More than 5,000 high school students, advisers and guests are expected to attend the largest annual conference Fresno hosts -- the 81st California State FFA Leadership Conference coordinated by California State University, Fresno -- April 18-21 at Selland Arena in downtown Fresno.

The four-day conference, beginning Saturday at 8:30 p.m., attracts young agricultural leaders from 307 chapters of the California Association of Future Farmers of America (FFA). It is coordinated by the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

Attendees will hear from motivational speaker Judson Laipply and national FFA officers Nessie Early and Paul Moya, who will share their experiences serving as national FFA officers. The conference also will highlight student accomplishments in public speaking and production practices with proficiency awards, scholarships and special recognitions.

The Fresno State FFA Field Day will be held on campus as part of the conference.

Laura Calderon, sales manager for the Fresno Visitors Bureau, said the FFA Conference is the largest annual conference held in Fresno.

For more information, or contact Karlene Mello at 209.489.0728 (karlenemello@sbcglobal.net) or Meghan Grennan at 831.594.0039 (mgrennan20@csufresno.edu).