What the Virginia FFA State Convention Is
The Virginia FFA State Convention is the association's annual four-day gathering of members, advisors, alumni and supporters at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, where the organization was born. It combines leadership workshops, Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs), the Agriscience Fair, keynote speakers, awards and officer business. The 100th convention, a centennial celebration, ran June 8-11, 2026. The 99th was held June 9-12, 2025. The association has announced June 14-17, 2027 as the save-the-date.
Who Can Attend
Current members, advisors, alumni and supporters are welcome. Every attendee needs a permission form, and advisors carry a copy and hand one in at registration.
Registration Fees
| Option (per person) | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| On campus, double room, no air conditioning | $320 |
| On campus, double room, with air conditioning | $370 |
| On campus, single room, no air conditioning | $345 |
| On campus, single room, with air conditioning | $410 |
| Off campus, full with meals | $245 |
| Off campus, full without meals | $115 |
| One day, contest only | $30 |
Chapters registering 10 or more participants received a $10-per-person discount. Students competing on more than one day should choose a full option; students attending one day should choose contest only.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026 edition)
- May 15: general and contest registration closed, and all contest materials and uploads were due. The Agriscience Fair had its own details.
- May 22: T-shirt pre-orders closed.
- June 8-11: convention.
How It Works
Contests are managed through Judging Card, and contest resources are posted at vaffa.org/cde-lde. A 2026 convention program and a contest schedule were published as PDFs on the state FFA site. Sessions were also live-streamed on Rumble for members who could not attend. The 2026 centennial program included keynote remarks by Governor Abigail Spanberger, who received an honorary Virginia FFA degree, along with Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, a Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumna, who also received an honorary degree. The closing session recognized the outgoing state officer team.
What to Bring and Wear
- Official dress: FFA jacket, white shirt, black slacks or skirt, black dress shoes.
- Comfortable clothes, extra outfits and pajamas.
- For on-campus lodging: twin or twin XL sheets, pillow, towels and toiletries.
- A notebook, phone charger and water bottle.
Attendees follow the National FFA and Virginia FFA code of conduct, which covers professional conduct, respect, safety, dress and competition integrity. Violations can lead to removal from events or dismissal from the convention.
Where and Parking
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. Parking is managed through ParkMobile. Students and visitors use C/G and R spaces, and buses use the Chicken Hill lot at 927 Southgate Dr. Do not park in 24-hour restricted lots. Virginia Tech Parking Services is at 505 Beamer Way.
Questions
I can only come for a day. What do I register for?
Choose contest only, $30.
Can I register after the deadline?
Registration for 2026 closed May 15 and was not reopened. Watch the state FFA site for the 2027 deadlines.
Who do I call?
The Virginia FFA Association office, 115 Hutcheson Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 540-231-3823.
Official Links
- Virginia FFA State Convention: registration, fees and deadlines
- 2026 Virginia FFA convention: Virginia Tech CALS event page
- 2026 CDE/LDE schedule
Virginia FFA Leadership Development Events: The Essentials
Virginia FFA lists its leadership events with its career events on the CDE and LDE page, including Creed Speaking, Extemporaneous and Prepared Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure and Conduct of Meetings.
Creed Speaking
Active members in grades 7 to 9 compete, with one contestant per FFA area sent to state after an area contest, per the Creed Speaking page.
State convention
The 2026 convention ran June 8 to 11 at Virginia Tech, with speaking events June 9, the Discussion Meet June 10 and Ag Issues the same afternoon, per the contest schedule.
Who can compete
Participants must be current dues-paying members on the chapter roster. The senior division is grades 9 to 12, junior is grades 6 to 9, and middle school is grades 6 to 8. Registration for the 2026 convention contests was due May 15.
Qualifying
Chapters declare one national-qualifying event at check-in, and members may qualify for only one national event per year, per the competitive event guide.
Next steps
Ask your advisor about area contests and current deadlines.
Dates change each year.
Read the full guide: Virginia FFA Leadership Development Events
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Virginia 4-H Congress
Four-day statewide 4-H gathering at Virginia Tech with workshops, competitive events, district elections, a Teen Opportunity Fair and the All-Star Tapping Ceremony. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 16-19, 2026.
- Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame Induction
Honors industry leaders nominated by the Virginia Cattlemen's Association, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, Virginia Pork Council, Virginia Sheep Producers Association and Virginia Horse Council. Most recent event Oct. 30, 2026.
- Winter in the Woods 4-H Specialty Camp
Winter weekend outdoor specialty camp for 4-H youth at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are December 5 to 6, 2026.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Fluvanna 4-H County Contest Day
Fluvanna 4-H members compete at County Contest Day, scheduled for January 16, 2027 at the Fluvanna Community Center. It is the only contest on the county 4-H calendar this season.
VA | Organizer: Fluvanna 4-H Official event details - Holiday Lake Cloverbud Camp
Summer weekend camp for young Cloverbud 4-H members at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 18 to 20, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.