ABAC Ag Ed majors working at the National FFA Convention included (l-r): Sarah Beth Hammond, Emily Dean, Samantha Wilhoite and Casey Elias.

TIFTON — Four students from the Agricultural Education cohort at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College were hand-picked to participate in a special program at the recent National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

ABAC Ag Education majors Sarah Beth Hammond from Covington, Emily Dean from Jasper, Casey Elias from Monticello, and Samantha Wilhoite from Ringgold were selected to participate in the National Agriscience Program at the convention.

The National Agriscience Program personnel invited only 30 students from across the country to learn more about specialagriscience teaching techniques that are considered effective for agricultural education. These four were among 37 students attending the convention with the ABAC collegiate FFA chapter.

Jessie Jackson, another ABAC Ag Education major from LaGrange, was selected as an official at the National Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event. Selected through an application process, Jackson worked with 27 other students from across the country as a collegiate assistant, ensuring that the Parliamentary Procedure contests proceeded on schedule.

Other students from ABAC served as official judges in the National Nursery and Landscape event, assisted with the ABAC recruitment booth, and participated in general sessions at the convention.

Dr. Frank Flanders, ABAC Agricultural Education program coordinator, expressed his pride in the students for participating in these professional development activities.

“Our students are creating an excellent reputation for ABAC Ag Ed across the country,” Flanders said.

The National FFA Organization is an avid part of agricultural education by making classroom instruction come to life through hands-on application.

ABAC’s Ag Ed program is preparing teachers to make an impact on future generations enrolled in agricultural courses. The first graduates of the new program will complete bachelor’s degrees and teacher certification requirements in the 2019 spring semester.