The 87th Indiana FFA State Convention finds more than 2,000 future farmers on the Purdue University campus this week.

State officers introduced themselves (Wednesday) and discussed their ongoing mission to teach leadership, while innovating agriculture through technology.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz made a special appearance. She told members of the National FFA Organization that agricultural education is a key part to the state's economy.

Ritz said, "The agriculture of today is not the agriculture of the past."

She said agriculture education is now way more than just the study of plants.

Ritz also discussed the importance of making food more affordable for lower-income families.

The FFA Convention runs through Friday.

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