Santa Fe FFA member Abbie Gielseman recently attended the 2026 HYMAX Leadership Academy.

The HYMAX Academy challenged 100 Agricultural Education students during an intensive three-day academy June 12-14, 2026. Held at Camp Rising Sun at the Lake of the Ozarks, HYMAX built on knowledge gained in class and leadership experiences gained as a FFA Greenhand. This leadership experience is a handson, engaging academy that provides skills to work together in a Small Group to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural industry. FFA members also learned from other FFA members about their chapter and how to better their SAE program. In addition, members gained strategies to continue strengthening their knowledge base in agricultural issues, sharpen written and verbal communication skills, and spark potential career interests. Most importantly, participants brought home tools to help other members’ chapters tell the agriculture story!