What the Kansas FFA State Convention Is
The Kansas FFA Convention is the yearly gathering of the state's FFA members, held on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan. It is where the state association does its business and hands out its biggest honors: state officers are elected and installed, proficiency awards and State Star awards are presented, contest champions are recognized, and chapters are honored for their work. The 98th convention drew more than 14,300 members from 242 chapters. It is run by the Kansas FFA Association.
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 98th, held May 26-29, 2026 at McCain Auditorium, used the theme "Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change."
What Happens During Convention Week
The 2026 schedule shows how the week is built. The general sessions in McCain Auditorium are the backbone, with seven sessions across the week, and everything else is scheduled around them.
- Contests: leadership development events such as Creed Speaking, Prepared and Extemporaneous Public Speaking, the Discussion Meet and the Marketing Plan event are finished on stage or in K-State Union rooms, and winners are recognized in the sessions.
- Delegate process: chapter delegates take part in committees, hear from officer candidates and vote. Kansas FFA members have made decisions for their chapters through this process since 1928.
- Opportunity Fair: businesses, colleges and agencies meet members in the K-State Student Union Grand Ballroom on the first full day.
- Workshops: leadership and career workshops, plus K-State College of Agriculture sessions, run alongside the contests.
- Awards luncheons: the Proficiency Award Luncheon (Thursday) and the Stars Over Kansas Luncheon (Friday) are held at the K-State Alumni Center and need a ticket or pre-registration.
- Band and Chorus: the State Band and Chorus concert is Thursday evening in McCain Auditorium.
- Closing session: state officers are elected and installed, and the Triple Crown award is announced. Riverton FFA received the 2026 Triple Crown Award.
The Officer Team
The delegate body elects six state officers each year. The 2026-2027 team is President Clara Gfeller (Chapman), Vice President Riley Sturgis (Riverton), Secretary Lizzy Vajnar (Hays), Treasurer Braeden Stutzman (Inman), Reporter Ethan Petersilie (La Crosse) and Sentinel Ella Neher (Hays). Eighteen members ran for office in 2026, and a nominating committee of former state officers, industry representatives and association staff scored the candidates to build the slate of six.
Key Dates
- 99th Kansas FFA Convention: June 1-4, 2027, Manhattan
- K-State Career Development Events, held a month earlier: May 2-4, 2027
- Convention hotel check-in windows start May 31, 2027; group-rate cutoffs run from April 30 to May 31, 2027 depending on the hotel
Where to Stay and Park
Kansas FFA holds group rates at eight Manhattan hotels. For the 2027 convention these include DoubleTree by Hilton (785-539-5311, $119, breakfast included, book by May 1), Fairfield by Marriott (785-539-2400, $110, by May 1), Hilton Garden Inn (785-532-9116, $110, by May 31), Comfort Suites (785-539-9449, $120, group number XE34B6, by May 17), Courtyard Manhattan (785-587-1972, $150, by May 2), Hampton Inn (785-775-5700, $189 with breakfast, by April 30), Holiday Inn at the Campus (group code FFA, $129.95 with breakfast, by May 1) and Holiday Inn Express & Suites (785-320-7454, group code FFA, $129 with breakfast, by April 30). Mention Kansas FFA when you book. Parking on campus is handled through K-State parking services.
Watching From Home
Convention sessions are streamed online through AcresTV, so families and supporters who cannot travel can still watch.
Questions
Who can attend?
FFA members, chapters, advisors and guests attend. Delegates represent their chapters in the business sessions.
Do I need a ticket for the luncheons?
Yes. The Proficiency Award Luncheon and the Stars Over Kansas Luncheon both require pre-registration or a ticket.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424. For emergencies on campus call 911; the K-State Police non-emergency line is 785-532-6412.
Official Links
- 98th Kansas FFA Convention, May 26-29, 2026: dates, theme, attendance, resources
- Convention schedule
- 2026 tentative schedule (PDF)
- Delegate information
- 2026-2027 officer team
- 2027 state events and group housing
- Group housing for state events
- Kansas FFA convention page
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 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.
- K-State Junior Beef Producer Day
Held each year; the most recent date was March 7, 2026. One-day family program for young cattle exhibitors at the Bilbrey Family Events Center north of the K-State campus in Manhattan.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.