HYMAX Academy Application
Are you a future leader in agriculture, FFA and your community? Are you ready to be an active member of the agricultural community and tell the agriculture story? If you answered YES, the HYMAX Academy is for you! HYMAX is a youth leadership conference designed to challenge and equip the TOP 100 incoming high school sophomore FFA members to be advocates for agriculture.What is HYMAX?
These 100 FFA members will receive hands-on experiences to prepare them to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural Industry. FFA members will also learn from other FFA members about their chapter and how to better their SAE program. In addition, members will gain strategies to continue strengthening their knowledge base in agricultural issues, sharpen written and verbal communication skills, and spark potential career interests. Most importantly, participants will bring home tools to help other members’ chapter tell the agriculture story!
When, Where, and Why HYMAX?
The HYMAX Academy will challenge up to 100 Agricultural Education students during an intensive three-day academy June 13-15, 2025. Held at Camp Rising Sun at the Lake of the Ozarks, HYMAX will build on knowledge gained in class and leadership experiences gained as a FFA Greenhand. Expect this leadership experience to be a hands-on, engaging academy that will provide skills to work together in a Small Group to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural industry.
How do you Apply?
In 2025, the top 100 entering high school sophomores in the 2025-26 school year will be selected to participate in HYMAX through a competitive online application process. A successful application includes:
- Cover information:
- with signature page (signature page is uploaded)
- 5 narrative responses
- Counselors’ verification of academic achievement (uploaded form)
- Two letters of recommendation (SUBMIT HERE)
- One from the applicant’s Agricultural Education Teacher/FFA Advisor,
- The second from a school administrator (superintendent or principal) OR a community leader that knows applicant and their leadership experience.
- NOTE: Students are expected to share the recommendation link above with individuals being asked to submit comments on their behalf.
Please note, only four (4) applications per chapter (2 male & 2 female) will be accepted.
Completed applications and uploaded portions must be submitted online no later than February 15, 2025.
HYMAX DOWNLOADS
Forms below should be downloaded and completed with necessary information, then uploaded prior to HYMAX application submission.
Before submitting the completed forms below within your online application, please save each file with type of form and your last and first name.
Filename Example: signaturepage_smith_jane.pdf
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
There are five(5) parts to the written application:
- Information and signatures (Submitted Below)
- Student narratives – five essay narratives (Submitted Below)
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How will your engagement in the HYMAX Academy help you as a Person, Your Chapter, and Your Community? (600 characters)
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Two-Part Question:
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Part 1. When have you been a leader in your FFA Chapter? (500 characters)
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Part 2. What did you learn from this leadership experience? (600 characters)
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How have you advocated for agriculture? Explain WHY and HOW this was important. (550 characters)
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Why do you believe advocating for the agricultural industry is important in 2024 and beyond? (600 characters)
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What is the biggest issue facing the agriculture industry in 2024? (550 characters)
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- Counselor’s verification of academic achievement (Uploaded Below)
- Ag Educator/FFA Advisor recommendation (SUBMIT HERE)
- School administrator OR Community leader recommendation (SUBMIT HERE)
FFA members will be notified of selection by April 1, 2025.
The registration fee and consent form for selected attendees is due by May 24, 2025.
HYMAX ONLINE APPLICATION
This section should be completed by STUDENTS submitting application to be considered for HYMAX.
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