BIG Conference, BIG Memories

Photos by Wyatt Antle and Abigail Medved

By Wyatt Antle and Abigail Medved

On October 1, 2025, the Being Involved as a Greenhand (BIG) Conference for Future Farmers of America was held. This event is for first-year FFA members to understand what FFA’s all about. They can participate by talking to different representatives, past FFA members or their peers in general. The purpose of the conference is to teach first-year members what FFA means.

“BIG stands for Becoming Involved as a Greenhand. It is important because first-year members get to meet other members from our region, and all 10 state officials and participate in activities and leadership-building events," said PCHS Agriculture teacher Abbigail Johnson.

The conference gave young FFA members the opportunity to start becoming involved. Members had the opportunity to connect with others from different agricultural communities, as well as build relationships and be mentored by seasoned FFA members and the State Officers.

“I wanted to be with a farming association,” said Freshman Casen Crosby.

Crosby is a first-year FFA member. Being one of the few people who went to the BIG Conference, he got to learn about FFA and see who the representatives are for this year. 

“At first, the only reason I joined FFA was because my friends were in it. But I immediately fell in love with it. The world of agriculture matters a lot,” said State Executive Committee Member Molly Smith. 

Smith is on the Executive Committee for FFA. The Executive Committee designs events and activities to bring FFA members together and notify the members about what's going on in FFA.  

Some junior and senior FFA members were also invited to begin working on their State Degree Applications. An FFA State Degree is an award bestowed upon three or four-year members who have completed requirements, including SAE project hours, community service, and other activities related to FFA. These applications are not due until February however, they are extensive, so it’s important for students to get a head start.

PCHS FFA Secretary Jojo Fuller shares, “​​I’m striving to get my State Degree through FFA, as it is recognition for all the hard work I’ve put in through the years in showing livestock, and will help me pursue larger opportunities in the future, like being a state officer once I’ve graduated.”

The BIG conference is an experience for new FFA members. The event hosted all 10 State FFA representatives, so members can ask any questions they may have. Students also had the opportunity to meet any other members who aren’t in their chapter. This was a true representation of the FFA experience and helped many imagine a BIG future for themselves.