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USDA secretary coming to Indiana for national FFA convention

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is coming to Indiana this week for a gathering of the National FFA Organization, formerly the Future Farmers of America.

The Agriculture Department said Monday that Perdue will be in Indianapolis on Wednesday for the kickoff of the 90th annual FFA convention and expo.

Perdue, a farmer and former Georgia governor, is set to moderate an agriculture forum and will also give an opening speech.

Country music act Rascal Flatts is also scheduled to perform Wednesday.

Additionally, due to the National FFA Convention there will be a number of road closures.

The southbound lane of Delaware Street between Maryland and South streets will be closed from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 10 p.m. Friday.

The north lane of Georgia Street between Capital Avenue and Pennsylvania Street will be closed from 8 a.m. Wednesday to 10 p.m. Saturday.

South Street between capitol Avenue and Missouri Street will be closed from 8 a.m. Wednesday to 10 p.m. Saturday.

The gathering wraps up Saturday with the selection of the coming year’s national FFA officers.

Purdue University sophomore Annalee Witte is competing for one of six open positions. Witte grew up in Wilkinson, Indiana, on a grain and livestock farm and is a graduate of Eastern Hancock High School.