Van Buren FFA stops in Louisville on way to National Convention

Members of the Van Buren County FFA Chapter recently attended the 95th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. While on the trip, the group also toured Churchill Downs and Louisville Slugger in Louisville, Kentucky.

At Churchill Downs, the group got to see horses out for their morning workout as well as visit the Kentucky Derby Museum. The FFA members learned many interesting facts about the Horse Racing industry and the Kentucky Derby.

There are many career opportunities related to the care, training and racing of horses. We learned that when the barns are at full capacity at Churchill Downs, there will be around 500 employees. While in Louisville, FFA members toured the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. It was very interesting to learn about how the baseball bats are customized to the player’s specifications.

At Churchill Downs Ryan and Alex learned that they have a “horse ambulance” and vet clinic on site. Tinley learned that at the Kentucky Derby the horses run counterclockwise around the track. Morgan learned that Secretariat holds the record for the fastest lap at Churchill Downs.

Payten learned that no horse that started in gate 17 at the Kentucky Derby has ever won the race. Alicia learned that there is no barn number 13 at Churchill Downs. Abby learned that there is a siren on the track at Churchill Downs that goes off when a horse is loose or gets hurt. When the siren goes off, everyone on the track stops running and helps with the situation or just walks slowly instead of continuing their workout. Annabelle’s favorite part of the National Convention trip was watching the horses do their morning workout.

At the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, the group learned about the process of making Louisville Slugger bats from the forests to the ball fields. Bailey learned that they make commemorative mini bats for holidays and special occasions. Paje learned that at the Louisville Slugger factory they make customized bats for individual players. The factory can customize the width, length, and weight as well as type of wood it is made from.

After touring in Louisville, the group headed north to Indianapolis for the 95th National FFA Convention. The group participated in business sessions, heard from keynote speakers, explored the Career Expo and participated in leadership workshops.

Audrey Smith received her American FFA Degree on Saturday, October 29th. The American FFA Degree is awarded to less than 1% of all FFA Members and is awarded based on leadership, academic achievement and SAE project records.

Our group also toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We drove around the track and got to learn the history of the speedway. We also got to explore the museum at the racetrack. At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Annabelle learned that the winner of the Indy 500 kisses the “brickyard” that is the start/finish line on the track.

The members had a great trip and all FFA members are invited to take advantage of this opportunity in the future! We appreciate the support of our community through our local projects so that we can fund activities like this National Convention Trip!

The Van Buren County FFA Chapter will be celebrating FFA Week Feb. 18-25, 2023. We will have dress up days during the school week and have an Ag Facts Scavenger hunt daily. On Monday, February 20, FFA members will travel to Central Lee High School to participate in Sub District Career Development Events. We have members preparing for Parliamentary Procedure, Ag Broadcasting, Job Interview, Ag Sales, Greenhand Quiz and Welding.