INDIANAPOLIS — More than 70,000 young people are in downtown Indianapolis learning about the agriculture industry.
They're in town for the National FFA Convention at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Convention Center, with FFA standing for the Future Farmers of America.
The goal is to grow the next generation of leaders and to encourage more diverse students to go into agriculture.
Jaywon Sloan, from Carlisle, Arkansas, said he became interested in agriculture in middle school.
Sloan currently serves as the Arkansas FFA State Officer. He was joined by Landon Henricks, of Menifee, California, and Makena Stanisai, from Temecula, California.
"Looking back on what we've come from and where we are now is definitely really inspiring to me because then I saw the difference between the NFA (New Farmers of America) and the FFA and just being kind of output by not being able to go to these conventions or go these conferences and be there with just everybody," Sloan said. "When we had the NFA and FFA merger, that brought in a lot of diversity and inclusion."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, minorities are still underrepresented in farming, and about 1% of farmers in the U.S. are Black.
According to the Western Growers Association, of the 3.4 million farmers nationwide, just 240,000, or about 7%, are minorities.
"I was one of those students coming into agriculture. I was like, I do not want to get my hands dirty, or I do not want to wake up that early because I am not a morning person whatsoever," Sloan said.
Sloan's thoughts later changed after he became immersed in the classroom.
"Those experiences mean the absolute (world), and that can take you so far," Sloan said.
Agriculture leaders wants students to know there are lots of opportunities in this field.
"Whether you're a software engineer, a mechanical engineer and accountant, an HR professional, all of those folks need to be able to support us and what we're trying to accomplish," said Aaron Wetzel, vice president of production and precision for agriculture production systems at John Deere.
Wetzel said the agriculture field needs help to feed a growing population.
"By 2050, 9 million people are going to be on the planet, and we have to figure out a sustainable way to be able to produce food to be able to feed this growing population," Wetzel said.
Corey Flournoy said his experience as national president 30 years ago helped encourage diversity.
"Being from Chicago and being Black was unique because it was also an opportunity to see themselves in me, and it really helped attract more students to the program who may not have seen themselves here," Flournoy said.
Sloan has some advice for others interested in agriculture.
"Just give it a shot, like it's worth trying. You know, you may feel like it's no point in being there or it's not for you, but definitely to just go out there and give it a shot," Sloan said.
The National FFA Convention runs through Nov. 4.