2020 APEX Registration

The Ag Policy Experience (APEX) is a two night conference provided by the Minnesota FFA Association in partnership with several agricultural stakeholders. The conference is designed for students with strong leadership skills and an interest in government/politics.

Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to participate with preference (only in the event of registration exceeding venue capacity) given to students who have not participated in the past and students from areas throughout the state.

APEX fees include two nights lodging, 5 meals (depending on a tentative additional lunch experience), transportation once a student has arrived at the conference and conference materials and programming.

FFA Advisors and students will receive confirmation of their students' participation and an invoice for payment after registration. Students will receive an assignment to complete and submit prior to arrival at the conference after their participation is confirmed.

In 2020, the legislative schedule is abbreviated and so APEX will end with FFA Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 3. Advisors are encouraged to bring additional students to St. Paul and to participate in the FFA Day celebrations with their APEX students before bringing them home usually no later than 2 pm (depending on chapter or student scheduled legislative visits). Final schedule information will be confirmed after registration is complete.

Student Name *

First Name Last Name

The Minnesota Ag Policy Experience is March 1-3 and will cost $100 per student. Selected students are expected to complete a few tasks prior to arriving on site at the conference including seeking out conversations about agricultural issues and learning who their representatives are. Please acknowledge your understanding by clicking below. *

I understand the expectations of the conference and that I am responsible for the full cost of participating. I will submit payment prior to my arrival at the conference.

Student Home Address (To help match you with your legislators).

Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City	State / Province
Postal / Zip Code	Country

Student Email *

Student Phone Number *

Area Code Phone Number

FFA Chapter *

School Address *

Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City	State / Province
Postal / Zip Code	Country

FFA Advisor Name *

Advisor Email *

Advisor Phone *

Area Code Phone Number

Gender (For lodging assignments) *

Female Male Non-binary/Non-conforming (Staff will follow up with your advisor regarding needs, expectations and (if necessary) pricing)

Grade *

10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

FFA Region:

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8

I have attended APEX in the past. *

Yes No

New for 2019: In the past we have asked students to identify an issue or challenge to be considered as legislative issues during APEX committee work. This year, we are asking applicants to submit their idea of an issue and a potential solution with their conference registration. Ideal issues might impact agriculture, environment, natural resources or food production/safety -- but it's possible to identify an issue that doesn't fit neatly into these boxes that legislators may need to consider. Solutions might look like research into an issue, allocating funding to pay for a project, recognizing someone for a contribution or legislation that creates regulation or limits of some sort.

For the purposes of our example, we are using an issue that does NOT fit into an agricultural area so as not to take credit for any great student ideas.

Sample Issue: Many young parents are finding it difficult to get access to childcare for small children - especially in rural areas. Regulations for child care providers require a certain staff to child ratio that means there sometimes isn't an available spot to bring a new baby and families may need to travel to find childcare or choose to stay home temporarily until childcare becomes available. This impacts the workforce as a whole and the individual earning potential of young parents who may remove themselves from the workforce for a season due to a lack of access to quality and affordable childcare.

Sample Solution: MN should provide a tax break for Fiscal Years 2019-21 for child care facilities already meeting state requirements that increase their staffing during a calendar year to increase the number of children they can accommodate. Child care facilities must meet state requirements to be eligible for tax credits but small, home-based child care facilities should also be eligible for credits.

Describe your issue here: *

Describe your solution here: *