Macon, Georgia-The Georgia FFA Association will hold their 86th state convention, May 1-3, 2014, at the Macon Centreplex. The conference theme is "Ignite." More than 5,000 FFA members, advisors, sponsors and guests are expected to attend. The Convention will be highlighted by state competition in career development events (CDEs), award presentations, a career show, motivational speakers, delegate business and community service projects. The opening session of the Convention will feature greetings from Governor Nathan Deal; Kickoff Speaker, Mr. Josh Shipp; and the naming of the 2014 FFA State Star Ceremony. The session kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1.

During the Convention, hundreds of FFA members will exhibit the "Living to Serve" line of the FFA motto by participating in a variety of community service projects in Macon. On Thursday, May 1, fifty FFA members will volunteer at the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, and three hundred FFA members will volunteer on four different home renovation projects through the Rebuilding Macon program. The media is invited to interview participants at the community service projects. The Rebuilding Macon projects begin at 10:00 a.m. and the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank project begins at 1:00 p.m.

Friday of the FFA Convention will see hundreds of Georgia FFA members recognized with awards, and the student delegates will handle the official business of the FFA Association. National FFA Secretary, Mitch Baker from Tennessee will speak on Friday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m. The convention will close on Saturday with the awarding of the prestigious State FFA Degree to nearly 700 FFA members, and the naming of the 2014-2015 State FFA Officer team.

Ben Lastly, Executive Secretary of the Georgia FFA, said "Macon is a great host city, and we are excited to be back for our ninth year. We appreciate the hospitality of the city and I am proud of how our students consider Macon home for the FFA. It is great to know that we are bringing the Blue & Gold back to Middle Georgia."

The Georgia FFA Association is the 3rd largest state association of the National FFA Organization, with more than 36,000 members in 285 chapters. The mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

For more information, visit http://www.georgiaffa.org/.