Countdown to Convention: Microsoft Preps FFA for a Digital Future

Microsoft’s partnership with the National FFA Organization is helping future ag leaders gain the tools they need to drive innovation in farming and beyond.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (RFD-TV) — As our Countdown to Convention to the National FFA Convention continues, students nationwide are preparing to showcase their skills. This year, technology takes center stage.

Microsoft Vice President Mary Snapp explains why her company is partnering with the National FFA Organization to help the next generation of agricultural leaders gain the digital tools they need to drive innovation in farming and beyond.

Stay with us all month long as we continue our Countdown to the 98th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo, which kicks off October 29 in Indianapolis.

Watch gavel-to-gavel coverage of the 98th Annual National FFA Convention live and free October 29 – November 1 only on RFD-TV Now!

SIGN UP TODAY

Related Stories
Pre-filled Applications Available Online to Producers with a Login.gov Account
Ohio Farm Bureau’s Evan Callicoat discusses data center expansion in the state, producers’ land and resource concerns, and debates over tax exemptions and rural development.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer says producers forced to sell livestock due to drought may have several tax options available.
The dairy industry continues adapting to changing consumer habits and evolving labor technology.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

ASFMRA’s Howard Halderman says several economic and policy issues are continuing to influence the farmland market.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to discuss spring planting progress and the outlook for trade and demand as the season continues.
USMCA review nears a critical stage as the U.S. and Mexico advance talks while Canada risks being left behind, raising concerns across North American agriculture trade.
Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas joins us to discuss the Food for Peace program’s Kansas roots, its place in the Farm Bill, and the importance of the USDA’s visit to the state.
USDA approves disaster aid for Pennsylvania orchard and specialty crop growers after April freezes caused major crop damage statewide.
Applications are open through July 27, 2026, on Grants.gov.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.
“Somewhere West of Wall Street” is simply the most recent addition to the long list of noteworthy accomplishments by the Renaissance cowboy, singer-songwriter, poet, author, and show host Red Steagall. Join Red and his quarter horse, Grey Dog, as they explore the people, places, and stories of the American West.
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Tanji Patton, “Goodtaste with Tanji” focuses on chefs and popular dishes from restaurants across the culinary spectrum, along with wines, cocktails, and spirits, too. As a travelogue, the show visits restaurants, diners, and eateries across the Lone Star State in fun and adventurous settings, plus the program occasionally travels to neighboring states like Louisiana and New Mexico. In addition, the show educates viewers on wine pairings and value buys available in current wine trends.
SharkFarmer TV is the brainchild of Rob Sharkey, a 5th-generation farmer from Illinois. He shares the stories of incredible people in agriculture—both their successes and perhaps a few blunders along the way. You’ll see aerial footage of the field just as the drone crashes into a barn—and hear the story behind it all.
Hop in and travel with J.B. Sauceda on a road trip to discover ordinary people doing extraordinary things on the back roads of Texas. TCR’s longtime hosts Bob & Kelli Phillips have passed the keys to a new storyteller, who will continue the journey to uncover uplifting stories about oddball collectors, thought-provoking artists, and everyday heroes making the world a better place.