The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

An FFA Ag Career Day will kick off the 2018 Heart of America Dairy Expo on January 18, 2018 at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Missouri. This is the first time for FFA at the sixth annual Expo presented by Hiland Dairy Foods.

“The Missouri Dairy Association (MDA) Board of Directors wanted to show their support for FFA and to introduce our young people to the many career opportunities in agriculture,” says Ted Sheppard, MDA president and a dairy farmer from Cabool.

“Registration for the FFA Career Day is free to FFA students and their advisors thanks to our many sponsors,” says Dave Drennan, MDA Executive Director and Expo Sales Manager.

“The FFA sponsors include MDA, the Missouri Dairy Products Association, Missouri Dairy Growth Council, Alltech, American National Insurance Company, Central Life Sciences, Dairy Farmers of America, Midwest Dairy Association, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Mycogen Seeds and Multimin USA.

“We will start at 2:30 PM on January 18 with FFA registration followed by the program at 3:00. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Jim Spain, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and eLearning, at the University of Missouri.

“Following Dr. Spain will be an industry panel moderated by John D. Anderson, Chairman Business, Applied and Technical Services, General Farm Manager, College of the Ozarks. The FFA students will also have the opportunity to visit with college exhibitors during the program,” says Drennan.

“After the formal FFA program, the students and their advisors will enjoy the Heart of America Dairy Expo Grand Opening Buffet Reception in the Expo trade show and have the opportunity to visit with over 65 commercial exhibitors.

“The Grand Opening reception also includes an Early Bird Seminar featuring“How to get the most from your insurance dollar” with Vallery Eisenmann, Ag & Commercial Lines Field Specialist, American National Insurance Company.

“The Expo recesses at 8:30 and then continues Friday and until noon on Saturday,” concludes Drennan.

More details on the Expo can be found at www.heartofamericadairy.org.