FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota FFA hosted its yearly State Convention in Fargo with an impressive turnout of members. This is the second year the event has been held in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic and Nikki Fideldy-Doll said the youth organization has seen tremendous growth over the past couple of years.
“Since 2016 we have grown in membership and we have a record breaking membership of over 7,000 students in North Dakota FFA this year. That goes back to our teachers,” said Fideldy-Doll, the North Dakota FFA state advisor. “We even had a growth of membership over COVID, and that would not have been possible without our advisers.”
Trevor Peterson / Agweek
She took over the reins of the role in August 2021. She has a wealth of knowledge about North Dakota FFA and agricultural education, as she was a high school agricultural educator. She is also the first woman to hold the role of North Dakota FFA state adviser. The FFA organization was founded in 1928, but the organization did not allow women to be members until 1969.
“It’s humbling. I mean, there are a lot of great women that have paved the way in agricultural education and FFA. Right now, North Dakota has more female ag teachers than male, and this is the first year of that as well. Lots of strong women that have paved the way and I am extremely happy to be a voice for that,” Fideldy-Doll said.,
Contributed / Nikki Fideldy-Doll
Throughout the convention, FFA members will compete in competitions and complete delegate business, such as electing the new North Dakota FFA state officers. There are also opportunities for members to explore possible career paths and opportunities at the career fair which is held at the convention. There were 50 exhibitors at the career fair, including colleges and ag businesses and companies.
“A lot of our sponsors are ag-related and they know what they get out of an FFA student. So they want access to our kids. They’re willing to come anywhere and anyhow they can do that,” said Beth Allen, director of the North Dakota FFA Foundation.
There was also a bungee run and a water dunk tank at the career fair. At the dunk tank, members could attempt to dunk Erik Robinson, a national FFA officer from Georgia.
Emily grew up on a corn, soybean and wheat farm in southern Ohio where her family also raises goats. After graduating from The Ohio State University, she moved to Fargo, North Dakota to pursue a career in ag journalism with Agweek. She enjoys reporting on livestock and local agricultural businesses.
