National FFA Hosts Next Gen Conferences

Three-times-a-year events focus on in-demand career pathways for high school members.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:46pm

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The National FFA Organization is hosting a series of Next Gen conferences three times a year, providing high school FFA members the opportunity to explore specific career pathways and industries through hands-on learning, industry roundtables, and facility tours. The first 2026 conference was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a focus on power, structural, and technical systems.

Why it matters

The Next Gen conferences allow FFA members to get an early start on mapping out their future careers before graduating high school, exposing them to in-demand industries and potential job opportunities.

The details

At the Raleigh event, 72 FFA members from around the country participated in sessions and toured facilities at John Deere Turf Care and BASF. The conferences are open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who apply to attend.

  • The first FFA Next Gen Conference of 2026 was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in early March.
  • Next Gen Conferences occur three times a year.

The players

National FFA Organization

A youth organization that provides agricultural and leadership education to students.

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The takeaway

The Next Gen conferences demonstrate the National FFA Organization's commitment to preparing its high school members for future careers in in-demand industries, giving them a head start on exploring potential paths before graduation.