HARRISBURG — Four Big Valley FFA members got a chance to see what life was like in the State Capitol in Harrisburg and advocate for a cause they felt strongly about.

FFA members Lily Breon, Marlee Basom, Montana McKee and Alivia Snook had the opportunity to travel to three-day State Legislative Leadership Conference (SLLC) on March 24-26 at the Sheraton Hotel.

The Mifflin County contingent learned about advocacy through the legislative process at the conference, which was attended by nearly 500 members, advisors and guests.

On the first day, they attended workshops and participated in an advocacy fair. During the fair, FFA members had to create posters for various causes and pitch them to see which team could persuade the most members to donate to their cause.

On the second day, the four were split into the House of Representatives and Senate to discuss actual agriculture-related bills that state officials are facing. Members had the opportunity to simulate what happens on the Capitol floor when bills are discussed and voted on.

On the final day, members enjoyed breakfast with their state representatives — Rep. David Rowe and Sen. Judy Ward — and special guests Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture; and Judd Pittman, the state’s Director of Career and Technical Education. The four members then toured the Capitol building.

Submitting their delegate issue at the conference and presenting it to nearly 500 attendees was definitely a highlight for the four FFA members. Afterwards, they answered clarifying questions from the audience.

Big Valley FFA members proposed that the Pennsylvania FFA Association add an hour of conference-wide community service to the Sunday of ACES Conference that is held in February.

The FFA members came up with the idea after realizing the impact that so many FFA members in one place could have on a group in need. Throughout the ACES Conference, more than 2,000 FFA members could participate in the community service projects.

Potential projects included making cards for children in hospitals or decorating meal placemats for residents in retirement villages.

Of the 14 issues submitted at the legislative conference, only five will move on to the State FFA Convention to be held in June. At that time, the five issues will be voted again to be submitted to the National FFA Convention in October. The Big Valley FFA members recently learned that their issue was chosen to move on to states.