Thousands of high school students from across Iowa are in Ames today (Tuesday) for the 77th F-F-A state convention. The event is a showcase for talented students with agricultural backgrounds. Coon Rapids-Bayard senior Mary Irlbeck is hoping to earn a leadership post. Irlbeck says “I will be headed to interviews for state officer. I’m running for reporter, secretary or state southwest V.P.” The convention of the F-F-A, formerly Future Farmers of America, is an opportunity for science students to shine, like West Central Valley senior Amber Wilson who has been trying to build a better chicken by injecting substances that promote the growth of microorganisms. Wilson says “I tested the intermuscular fat content as well as the amount of fat that baked out. I looked at the rate of gains and I also did a tenderness test using a ‘star probe.'” The convention features a number of speech competitions. Jefferson-Scranton sophomore Matt Christensen will compete in “creed speaking,” reciting the F-F-A creed, which he says holds a lot of meaning for members of the organization. Christensen says “Creed speaking is just like the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States. It’s that to the F-F-A advisors and students. It just states what we as farmers and anyone related to ag should live by.” More information about F-F-A can be found at “agiowa.org”.