LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Although the agricultural economy is often hurting, youthful optimism remains among Nebraska’s FFA.

Organizers of the annual FFA Convention predict a record-breaking attendance of 4,600 students, plus teachers and other guests for a total future farmers crop of more than 6,500 people.

The FFA’s state director of agricultural education, Matt Kreifels, says people are catching up with the reality that agriculture is a dominating industry in Nebraska and what it does for the state economically.

This includes the realization that the FFA isn’t just for students who want to farm, but also for young people interested in bio-energy, business management, engineering, science and other disciplines.

The state organization’s total membership has currently peaked at more than 13,000 students.