What the Nebraska FFA State Convention Is
The Nebraska FFA State Convention is the biggest annual gathering of FFA members in the state. The 98th convention, March 25 to 27, 2026, brought 7,957 members, advisers and guests to Lincoln under the theme "Step up. Stand Out!" Members compete in career development events, hear keynote speakers, tour agricultural businesses, attend leadership workshops and receive their State FFA Degrees. The Nebraska FFA Association runs the convention, with general sessions at Pinnacle Bank Arena, 400 Pinnacle Arena Dr., Lincoln, and contests across downtown and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus.
It is for FFA members, their advisers and their families. Chapters have grown from 133 in 2010 to 218 in 2025, so the convention keeps getting bigger.
What Happens Each Day
Wednesday, March 25
The convention opens with Session 1 at Pinnacle Bank Arena from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.: opening ceremonies, recognition of new FFA chapters, a retiring address, introduction of State FFA Officer candidates, keynote speaker Taes Leavitt, and the conferring of State FFA Degrees. More than 900 members received that degree in 2026.
Thursday, March 26
Contest day. Early morning career development events included Livestock Management, Agronomy, Food Science and Technology, Welding, Ag Biotechnology, Meats Evaluation and Technology, Veterinary Science, Ag Sales and Agriscience, spread across UNL East Campus venues and the Southeast Community College Welding Tech Center. Speaking and leadership events such as Parliamentary Procedure and Creed Speaking ran at The Cornhusker. Other options:
- The Nebraska FFA Foundation Expo on Concourse 3 of Pinnacle Bank Arena, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Company tours and presentations from agribusinesses, including Becks Hybrids, Hudl, Koch Fertilizer, Sandhills Global and Titan Machinery.
- An East Campus scavenger hunt, Living to Serve meal packaging and service learning projects.
- Sessions 2 (9:00 to 11:00 a.m.), 3 (1:00 to 3:00 p.m.) and 4 (7:00 to 9:00 p.m.) at the arena, including the Proficiency Awards and a keynote by Ranger Nick.
Friday, March 27
Livestock Evaluation, Poultry Evaluation, Quiz Bowl, Agricultural Literacy Speaking and Discovery Speaking continue. The FFA Foundation Career Fair runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Concourse 3. Session 6, the final general session, runs 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. with the CDE awards, talent and chorus performances, the State Officer retirement program, the 2026-2027 State Officer election and installation of the new officers.
Contests and Awards
- Bronze, silver and gold ratings are awarded in Leadership Development Events; the top golds are recognized on stage at the LDE breakfast and lunch.
- The Agriscience Fair recognizes bronze, silver and gold finalists, with the top three golds announced and invited on stage.
- The Governor's Award of Excellence, Premier Chapters, Proficiency Awards, the Honorary State Degree and the Distinguished Service Award are presented in general sessions.
- The top 10 individuals and top 5 teams in the career development events are recognized at the CDE Awards ceremony.
Cost and Food
The Lunch Line at The Railyard (350 Canopy St, third floor) was $16 per person, with a plate from Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Hiro 88 Asian Cuisine or Gate 25. Registration for the Agriscience Fair breakfast and the Tagged to Teach Ag luncheon was required in advance.
Questions
Is there a middle school program?
Yes. Middle school workshops, a People in Ag Poster Event, middle school Quiz Bowl and a Middle School LDE Award Ceremony ran on Friday.
When is the next convention?
The convention is held each spring in Lincoln. The most recent was March 25 to 27, 2026.
Where do I find the schedule?
The full day-by-day descriptions are on the convention's online schedule.
Official Links
- Thursday schedule: contests, sessions and tours
- Friday schedule: final contests and Session 6
- Wednesday schedule: opening session
- 98th Nebraska FFA Convention preview: attendance and speakers
- Nebraska FFA landmark achievements: chapter growth
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Nebraska Wheat Board Meeting
Wheat checkoff board meeting on the Nebraska Wheat calendar, held in Lincoln on Nov. 18, 2026, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau YF&R Conference
Young Farmers and Ranchers conference of Nebraska Farm Bureau at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln, scheduled for Jan. 29 to 30, 2027.
- Nebraska FFA Career Development Events State Finals
State finals for 25 FFA career development events, run alongside the state convention at UNL East Campus and Southeast Community College in Lincoln. The next dates posted are March 31 to April 2, 2027.
- Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE)
Statewide youth contest with livestock judging, meats judging, poultry judging, quiz bowl, skill-a-thon, animal welfare judging and a companion animal challenge. The next dates posted are June 2 to 4, 2027, in Lincoln.
- Lancaster County 4-H BB Gun, Air Rifle and Air Pistol Contest
Morning shooting sports contest for BB gun, air rifle and air pistol at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Held each year; the most recent contest was February 7, 2026.
Lincoln, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.