Iowa FFA Leadership Conference Set for April 19-21 in Ames

Annual event celebrates student achievements in agricultural education

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring repeated images of a tractor, a corn stalk, and a milk carton, conceptually representing the agricultural focus of the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.The vibrant Iowa FFA Leadership Conference celebrates the state's commitment to agricultural education and the next generation of farming leaders.Ames Today

The 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference will bring students from across the state to Ames later this month to celebrate accomplishments in leadership, academics, and hands-on agricultural experiences. The three-day event will feature a keynote speaker, service projects, awards ceremonies, and more.

Why it matters

The Iowa FFA Leadership Conference is a longstanding tradition that highlights the state's commitment to agricultural education and developing the next generation of farming and food industry leaders. The conference showcases the hard work and achievements of FFA members, helping to inspire others and raise awareness of the organization's impact.

The details

The conference will include a keynote address from Iowa dairy farmer and National FFA officer Joey Nowotny. One of the featured activities will be the Meals from the Heartland service project, a partnership with Cargill that is expected to package nearly 1.5 million meals this year. The event will also recognize 45 chapters earning the National Chapter Award, 14 Stars Over Iowa finalists, 45 proficiency award winners, and Agriscience Fair winners.

  • The 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference is scheduled for April 19-21, 2026.
  • Over the course of the Meals from the Heartland partnership, Iowa FFA members have packaged nearly 3 million meals.

The players

Joey Nowotny

An Iowa dairy farmer and National FFA officer who will deliver the keynote address at the conference.

Cargill

A partner organization that works with the Iowa FFA on the Meals from the Heartland service project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Conference results and updates will be posted throughout the event on the Iowa FFA website.

The takeaway

The Iowa FFA Leadership Conference is an important annual event that showcases the hard work and achievements of FFA members across the state, helping to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders and raise awareness of the organization's impact.