Iowa State students and staff will be among 50,000 people in Kansas City, Mo., this weekend to take part in the 70th National Future Farmers of America Convention, “Building the Future.”

As the nation’s largest student organization, FFA provides the convention to motivate members to develop their leadership skills and reach higher goals, said Alan O’Neal, state FFA adviser.

Eleven delegates, six of whom attend ISU, will represent Iowa as official delegates for voting on policies.

Lisa Ahrens, Iowa FFA president and sophomore in agronomy, will serve on the nominating committee for next year’s national FFA officers. Erik Heggen, a sophomore in agricultural business, is running for a national office.

During the convention, a record number of 58 Iowa FFA members will receive American FFA degrees. O’Neal said more students are applying for the awards every year.

To receive the degree, members need to earn $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience program.

Ben Johnson, junior in agricultural studies, is one of 22 ISU students who will receive a degree this weekend.

Johnson has been involved with FFA for six years and earned his Iowa degree last year. His project involved raising hogs, corn and soybeans.

“I thought it was pretty important to apply because so few people earn the award,” Johnson said. “FFA has given me a lot of opportunities and a direction in agriculture.”

Sam Murray, junior in animal science, also earned his American FFA degree. In his seven years of FFA involvement, he worked with feeder cattle and maintained job records from his work at a grocery store and his dad’s farm.

“I applied because I enjoyed what I was doing and I’d like to find a career in agriculture because it is the backbone of the country,” Murray said.

Also receiving recognition will be proficiency award winners in various areas, including livestock production and agribusiness placement.

Iowa will send 14 finalists, including six ISU students, to compete for the top positions. O’Neal said this is a record number.

Victor Bekkum, professor of ag and biosystems engineering, will be recognized with the FFA VIP Citation for his efforts and contributions to the National FFA Ag Mechanics Career Development event.

Bekkum said he was very honored to receive the recognition because it is one of FFA’s highest honors. Nationwide, about 10 people from education or industry will be recognized.

“It is my pleasure to work with young people all of these years and now be recognized for it,” Bekkum said. “It’s a good feeling.”

Bekkum said the FFA high school programs have provided students a great experience for learning about agriculture.

He has worked at ISU for the past 21 years and worked as a high school agriculture teacher for 10 years prior to that.

In the classes Bekkum teaches at ISU, he said he sees evidence that the FFA members are an enjoyable group of students committed to ag.

During the convention, Bekkum will assist with the computer scoring of the Ag Mechanics contest. He has also coordinated the state’s Ag Mechanics contest and has been a key individual in developing and caring on the program, O’Neal said.