What the Kansas FFA Opportunity Fair Is
The Kansas FFA Opportunity Fair puts businesses, colleges, agencies and employers face to face with FFA members during state convention week in Manhattan. Exhibitors get a chance to meet young people who are current or future customers and potential employees. Students get a chance to learn about colleges, careers, equipment and financing without leaving the convention. The fair is run by the Kansas FFA Association and presented by the Kansas Bankers Association.
The most recent edition was the 26th annual fair, held Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the K-State Student Union Grand Ballroom. A grand opening took place at 10:45 a.m. in the Ballroom Foyer. The fair is held each year during the state convention, which is next set for June 1-4, 2027.
Who Takes Part
Students and advisors
FFA members attending the convention can walk the fair on its opening day, between contests, workshops and the delegate process. It is part of the convention program for members and advisors.
Exhibitors
The 2026 exhibitor list shows the range of who comes. It included:
- Universities and colleges: Kansas State University (including the College of Agriculture, College of Business, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education, the Department of Grain and Food Science and the Office of Recruitment and Admissions), K-State Salina, Fort Hays State University, Hutchinson Community College, Highland Community College, Pratt Community College, Seward County Community College, Salina Area Technical School, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, West Texas A&M's Department of Agricultural Sciences, Concordia University Nebraska, Northeastern Junior College, Southeast Community College and two Nebraska agriculture colleges (the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the College of Technical Agriculture).
- Agribusiness and equipment: John Deere, AGCO Corporation, Cargill, Heritage Tractor, LandMark Implement, PrairieLand Partners, KanEquip, Purple Wave Auction, Central Valley Ag Coop, Kanza Cooperative Association, Crop Quest and U.S. Custom Harvesters.
- Finance: Emprise Bank, Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and the Kansas Bankers Association.
- Commodity groups and agencies: Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Soybean Commission, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, Kansas Corn STEM, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Forest Service.
- Other employers and organizations: the U.S. Army, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Missouri Welding Institute, KSDS Assistance Dogs, Alpha Gamma Rho, Fellowship of Christian Farmers International, Grass & Grain and Tiffany Cattle Co.
How to Exhibit
Organizations that want a booth fill out the Interest in Exhibiting form linked from the Kansas FFA Opportunity Fair page. Call the Kansas FFA office with questions about the form.
Where to Go
The fair is inside the K-State Student Union on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, in the Grand Ballroom. Contest finals in Wildcat Chambers and Room 226 are in the same building, so students can move between them and the fair easily.
Questions
When is the next one?
The 2027 convention is June 1-4, and the fair is part of convention week; the specific day and hours for 2027 have not yet been announced. In 2026 it ran on the first full day of convention, Wednesday.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424. The Kansas FFA Foundation can be reached at (785) 410-2576.
Official Links
- Kansas FFA Opportunity Fair: purpose, hours, sponsor and exhibitor list
- 98th convention schedule
- 2026 tentative schedule (PDF)
- 2027 state events
Kansas County Fairs: The Essentials
Kansas county fairs are community partnerships. The fair board or association manages the facilities and open class, while Extension staff run the 4-H division under state 4-H policy. Fairs run across the state through the summer, starting in late June, and the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Association keeps a list of them.
Examples
Mitchell County's 2024 book paid open class blue $2.00, red $1.50 and white $1.00, and 4-H blue $2.50, red $2.00 and white $1.75. Sedgwick County took entries online, with livestock due May 31 and most static entries due June 28. Scott County's 2026 book requires YQCA training for 4-H animal projects. Deadlines differ by county, so read your fair book early.
State fair
The Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson runs September 11-20 in 2026. 4-H exhibitors must be enrolled, have shown in that division at their local fair, and generally earn a purple ribbon. Beef, sheep, swine and meat goat entries must be blue ribbon quality.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.