PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA INC

ACES CONFERENCE (AGRICULTURE COOPERATION ESTABLISHES SUCCESS) - A CONFERENCE GEARED AROUND FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES. APPROXIMATELY 2000 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE, WHICH IS HELD OVER THREE WEEKENDS. THE STATE STAFF AND STATE OFFICERS PROVIDE WORKSHOPS TO PROMOTE TEAM WORK & LEADERSHIP SKILLS WHILE SHOWING THE STUDENTS WHAT FFA AND AGRICULTURE HAS TO OFFER. THE TEACHERS ALSO ATTEND A TEACHER WORKSHOP WHICH EARNS THEM ACT 48 TEACHER CREDITS THROUGH PENN STATE.

STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE RUNS OVER A SUNDAY MORNING UNTIL TUESDAY NOON. APPROXIMATELY 600 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE. LEAD BY THE STATE OFFICERS, THE STUDENTS GO THROUGH WORKSHOPS ON PROFESSIONALISM, PROPER DRESS, ETIQUETTE, AND HOW TO READ A LEGISLATIVE BILL. THEY ARE THEN PUT THROUGH A COMPLETE MOCK VERSION OF OUR LEGISLATURE. THE HOUSE, SENATE, CAUCUSES, MINORITY AND MAJORITY, AND COMMITTEES. THEY DEBATE 6 BILLS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA. THIS IS TO TEACH HOW OUR GOVERNMENT PROCESS ACTUALLY WORKS. MONDAY EVENING COMMUNITY SERVICE IS PERFORMED. THE CONFERENCE CONCLUDES TUESDAY MORNING WITH A LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST WHERE WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 80 LEGISLATORS ATTEND. LEGISLATORS ARE SEATED WITH STUDENTS FROM THEIR DISTRICTS SO THEY CAN DISCUSS THE BILLS JUST USED IN OUR CONFERENCE AND TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER. THE STUDENTS WALK AWAY WITH A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR GOVERNMENT PROCESS. TEACHERS ALSO ATTEND WORKSHOPS FOR ACT 48 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS THROUGH PENN STATE.