NAAE By Choice - October 2026

Join us at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo!

Heading to the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo? We’ll see you there! For more than 30 years, NAAE has been part of the convention, connecting with future agricultural educators and celebrating the people who inspire them.

Join us for the #TeachAg Escape

Can your students beat the clock while discovering an exciting career in agricultural education? Sign them up for the ultimate career exploration challenge: NAAE’s #TeachAg Escape at the 2026 National FFA Convention & Expo!

This free, escape-room-style experience is packed with puzzles, teamwork, surprises, and plenty of fun. Students will race against the clock to break into, and then out of, the room, all while exploring what it takes to become an agricultural educator and considering whether a future in the classroom could be right for them. Click here to learn more and register today!

NAAE Educators Lounge

Need a place to sit down and catch your breath while at the National FFA Convention and Expo? Be sure to visit the NAAE Educators Lounge powered by the CHS Foundation. The NAAE Educators Lounge will be held in Room 210 of the Indiana Convention Center. We welcome you to relax and recharge in our educators-only lounge area, grab a NAAE Wellness Bag, charge your devices, rehydrate with light refreshments, and learn more about NAAE member resources and opportunities.

Hours of Operations:

Wednesday, October 21: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday, October 22: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday, October 23: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Ag Teacher Wellness Packs

Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience

Be sure to check out the NAAE Agriscience Learning Labs, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience on Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31. The 2025 NAAE Agriscience Learning Labs will be held in Room 145 in the Indiana Convention Center. Click here to read the descriptions, times, and dates of this year's learning labs.

Student Workshop - Step Up to the Plate: #TeachAg

Join us for the NAAE National #TeachAg Workshops! Slide into teaching agriculture where you’re the real MVP! This workshop will encourage you to step up to the plate and #TeachAg, joining a team of incredible agricultural educators across the nation. Bring your game face and let’s #TeachAg!

Thursday, October 22 -12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., in rooms 134-135 of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC)
Friday, October 23 - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., in rooms 134-135 of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC)

See you in New Orleans for the 2026 NAAE Convention!

Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana and experience the premier ag ed professional development event of the year: the 2026 NAAE Convention. Find the piece to your professional development puzzle in over 80 different ag ed specific professional development workshops or network with your peers from across the nation. There is no better way to invest in yourself as a professional! You won't want to miss it!

NAAE members receive a $30.00 discounted rate for NAAE Convention and ACTE CareerTech Vision! Make sure you are paying the NAAE rate through our link and marking “Agricultural Education” as your field of specialization. Visit our Registration webpage to register today!

Professional Development Workshops Now Live

Experience the magic of peer-led professional development by engaging in professional development workshops at the 2026 NAAE Convention. All details related to workshops, including descriptions, information about the presenters, and time and dates can be found in the NAAE Convention Schedule.

Convention Housing

This year’s event will be hosted at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. While the NAAE Convention Housing Blocks are sold out, ACTE has available rooms at additional hotels. Visit our Housing and Travel webpage to book your accommodations.

Resources to Help You Get Approval for NAAE Convention

Visit the NAAE Convention Attendee Resources webpage to download our Administrator Support Letter and Justification to Attend NAAE Convention Letter. These resources outline how convention participation supports professional growth, strengthens classroom instruction, and ultimately benefits students, giving you a helpful tool to share when requesting approval.

NAAE State Leaders Training Program

NAAE will host a State Leaders Training Program on Tuesday, December 1 during the NAAE Convention. Designed for state ag teacher association officers, the program offers leadership and association management training, plus opportunities to share successful strategies. Lunch will be provided. NAAE will provide registration to the event for up to two state association leaders (preferably President and President-Elect or Vice President). Registration is now open and will close on November 15. Additional state association officers may attend but will be required to pay a $50 registration fee. Click here to register.

NAAE Teacher Recruitment & Retention Innovation Forum

Tuesday, December 1 | 1:30- 4:30 PM CST

The NAAE Teacher Recruitment and Retention Innovation Forum will bring together ag educators, researchers, leaders, and innovators to explore new ideas, share successful strategies, and collaborate on solutions that strengthen and support the agricultural education profession. It’s designed to spark conversation, inspire fresh thinking, and help us continue building a strong pipeline of future ag teachers while supporting the ones we already have. Please RSVP to help us prepare for this event.

2026 NAAE Convention

Help Shape the U.S. Army / FFA Partnership

FFA Advisors and Agricultural Educators,

The U.S. Army is committed to building a partnership that truly serves your students. Your voice matters.

Complete a brief survey—just under five minutes—to tell us what resources, information, and pathways would support your program best.

Your input shapes our direction—it will drive how we engage with FFA chapters and support your students.

Complete the Survey

Calendar

October 21-24 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana

November 15 - NAAE State Leaders Traning Program Registration Due

December 1-5 - NAAE Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

The National Association of Agricultural Educators is a federation of state agricultural educators' associations with more than 10,000 members. NAAE members are involved in school-based agricultural education at any level, from middle school through postsecondary, and state and national agricultural education leadership.

National Association of Agricultural Educators

www.naae.org | #TeachAg | naae@uky.edu

(859) 967-2892 or (800) 509-0204

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