OMAHA, NEB. - (October 11, 2011) 

Media Alert:   Please Visit Booth 1251 of the FFA Convention to see Brulé live.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Watch the 84th National FFA Convention Live on Air and Online October 19^th-22^nd 

RFD-TV, a longtime supporter of the National FFA Foundation, helps 100 Native American FFA members attend the National FFA Convention held October 19-22, 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind. and brings award winning Brulé - A Native American Experience, to perform as the main entertainment opening night. 

RFD-TV’s support is making it possible for Native American FFA members to come together at the 84th National FFA Convention in a very special way.  “These students would rarely afford such an opportunity, and it will do so much to benefit other students back in their FFA chapters,” said Bill Stagg, FFA director of strategic communications.  “The concert by Brule', sponsored by RFD-TV, is the cornerstone event of the FFA Native American Heritage Celebration and will bring full attention to the rich cultural traditions of our nation. This is just another great example of how FFA and RFD-TV are working together to strengthen agricultural education and our local communities.”

RFD-TV is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America, supporting agricultural education by airing 12 hours of daily original programming to over 41 million homes.  RFD-TV sponsored a grant that enabled up to 100 Native American FFA members to attend the 2011 National FFA Convention.  “These are members that would not have been able to attend without financial assistance to get to the conference.  Our involvement helps students become more educated in the future of agriculture and learn how it will impact our world in the coming years,” said Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV. 

Watch the 84th National FFA Convention LIVE

The National FFA Convention is one of the largest annual student conventions in the country and this year, the National FFA Organization will celebrate the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education. RFD-TV will be there to capture all 30+ hours of the excitement as nearly 55,000 FFA members and guests from across the country participate in general sessions, competitive events, leadership workshops and much more. 

Orion Samuelson, legendary AgriBusiness broadcaster and host of “This Week In AgriBusiness” on RFD-TV, will serve as the broadcast host, and several former national FFA officers will join him as co-hosts throughout this action-packed week.  On Wednesday, October 19 the opening ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST and a live performance by Native American recording artist Paul LaRoche and Brulé will follow at approximately 9:45 p.m. 

The Brulé concert, sponsored by RFD-TV, will present a powerful blend of contemporary Native American music and rhythms in a stunning one hour visual concert on the main stage in Conseco Fieldhouse.  While the concert is closed to the general public, RFD-TV will air the Brulé FFA concert as a global telecast. 

RFD-TV Opens Up Its “Country Club” Membership in Support of Rural Youth

RFD-TV will stream live the National FFA Convention broadcast on its website www.rfdtv.com for those who do not have RFD-TV on their television or want to watch on the computer. The Country Club membership, normally $15.00 per month, offers access to RFD-TV’s live programming and video library.  The live stream is offered for free October 19^th -22^nd. To watch visit www.rfdtv.com.

Media Contact:

Deb Hermann, RFD-TV, Corporate Communications Director

Deb@rfdtv.com (402-779-8111)