More than 4,000 students are expected to attend the 88th annual Nebraska FFA State Convention April 6-8 in Lincoln.

More than 5,000 FFA members, advisers, parents and guests will participate in activities including educational sessions, workshops, a career fair, a leadership academy, interviews and leadership skills events. Most of the events will take place on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, at Pinnacle Bank Arena and at downtown hotels, with UNL faculty and staff coordinating many of the events and contests.

“It’s an honor to host these FFA members on our UNL campus,” said Jill Brown, assistant to the vice chancellor for external relations and alumni development director at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “These students are our future agricultural leaders, and, we hope, our future students.”

Participants will be able to meet snakes, salamanders and a baby alligator with “Awesome Animals” at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. April 6 in the second-floor lobby of Hardin Hall, 33rd and Holdrege streets. UNL Fisheries and Wildlife students will give a brief overview of each animal.

Tours of the Larsen Tractor Museum, 1925 N. 37th St., and the Animal Science Complex, 3940 Fair St., will be available at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. April 6. Horticulture tours of the Keim Hall courtyard, rain garden and teaching gardens will be offered at 11 a.m. and noon April 6, with groups meeting in the courtyard at 1825 N. 38th St.

Scavenger hunts through East Campus will also be offered at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m., with four-person teams meeting at the East Campus Visitors Center in the UNL Dairy Store, 114 E. Campus Loop.

One of the highlights of the convention will be “Big Red Rock the Rec” from 7 to 10 p.m. April 7 at the City Campus Recreation Center, 841 N. 14th St. FFA members will be able to participate in wall climbing, bubble ball, dodgeball and more.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, click here.