"It showed these young adults that the ag industry, and the country, is larger than just Montezuma County, that there are a lot of opportunities," said teacher Jake Gordanier, who led the trip.
Students Cayce Lockhart, Breezy Milligin, Catie Williams, Cammie Maxwell, and Shavargus Noyes went on the trip. They and several parents attended workshops, listened to inspirational speakers, met their FFA peers, and toured some interesting attractions.
A visit to the Churchill Downs horse-racing facility in Lexington, Ky., home of the Kentucky Derby, especially impressed the girls.
"They breed race horses, and I'm interested in breeding rodeo horses, so it was informative for me," said Lockhart.
"The race horses are so majestic - the muscle definition and the way they move is amazing," said Noyes. "We sat in box seats!"
The students toured a tobacco farm, took a welding class, learned about ag colleges, and visited the Louisville slugger factory.
In Tennessee, just walking around Nashville was an eye-opener for students, Gordanier said.
"For some students it was their first airplane ride, their first subway ride," he said. "They got a lot out of it."
The musical talent of country singer Scotty McCurry was a highlight for Milligin.
"Halloween in Nashville was a sight to see - so many people," she said.
Dolores FFA tries to offer the trip every year, Gordanier said. The girls raised $800 in meat and fruit sales, and their parents chipped in for travel and hotel costs.
The keynote speaker was Nick Vujicic, who was born with no legs and arms, yet earned two financial degrees. He gives motivational speakers around the world.
"He showed us to never give up, always keep trying," said Catie Williams.
Failure is part of education, Vujicic says, and broadening your horizons can lead to success.
"Farming is our most powerful tool, your generation can end world hunger," he said. "Think bigger. Don't just focus on what you can see. Find something you can do instead of crying about what you can't do."
To view his convention speech, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rruso9twuk4
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com