The Missouri FFA Association awarded Marshall FFA, Sweet Springs FFA, Boonville FFA, Carrollton Area Career Center FFA and Salisbury FFA, a Gold Emblem, a Top Chapter Award during the state convention this week. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation each year. Model of Innovation winners and rankings will be announced at a summer event.
According to a news release, the National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
The Marshall FFA advisors are Morgan Borts, Tyler Burgin and Emily Reed.
The Marshall FFA growing leaders activities included “Bacon SAEs Happen.” Freshman FFA members were given the opportunity to create, market and sell an agricultural product for their first supervised agricultural experience program. Students divided into groups to develop individualized marketing plans and cure pork bellies. They then promoted their product through the chapter’s social media.
Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included “Future of Food in America.” Members taught elementary and junior high students about where their food comes from by giving them the opportunity to interact with animals and crops, and see the technology that goes into food production.
Building communities activities included a Veterans’ Day Honor Assembly. Marshall FFA members hosted a free breakfast for 63 local veterans and their guests. Then, they led a school assembly to recognize the veterans. They played a Veterans’ Day video, read a poem and recognized each veteran’s service.
The Sweet Springs FFA advisors are Kristen Fenner and Brent Niemeyer.
The Sweet Springs FFA growing leaders activities included “Show Some Love.” The chapter gave every school student and staff member a gift on Valentine’s Day. This event made those who received a gift feel loved and appreciated.
Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included “Buddies and BBQ.” Chapter officers were “buddied up” with a small group of new members to answer questions about the Sweet Springs FFA. In addition, members listened to National FFA Officer Adrian Schnuck, Mason, Michigan, talk about her FFA experiences.
Building communities activities included “Buy Local, Support Local.” Sweet Springs FFA sold items from The Cheese Store and Twelve Gate Coffee Co. for its fundraiser. Through this event, members raised money for the chapter and stimulated the local economy.
The Boonville FFA advisors are Deanna Thies and Doug Henke.
The Boonville FFA growing leaders activities included “AGademics.” Once a month, members came together to study and do homework. Members learned about good study habits, academic success and peer tutoring.
Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included “Learning to Do: A Road to Ag Ed and FFA.” Members created a five-part recruitment program for eighth-grade students. The content covered different skills offered in agricultural classes. The members learned to be FFA advocates and encourage potential members.
Building communities activities included “Creating a Buzz to Protect Our Pollinators.” Members applied for the “GROWMARK Pollinator Garden Program”, and used resources to build and maintain existing flower beds for the health and benefit of surrounding pollinators. They learned the importance of pollinators and how their actions can affect pollinators.
The Carrollton ACC FFA advisors are Jeremy Dodds and Brooke Swindler.
The Carrollton ACC FFA growing leaders activities included “#HeartHealthAwareness.” During February, members baked and packaged over 180 sugar cookies, and attached heart facts to the packaging. They passed these out in the community.
Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included “#Beefupyourworkout.” The Carrollton ACC FFA teamed up with the Missouri Beef Council to pass out beef sticks to individuals exercising at the YMCA. As the beef sticks were passed out, chapter members shared the importance of incorporating beef into their diet.
Building communities activities included “#constructingforacause.” Carrollton ACC FFA constructed a metal Kansas City Chiefs sign. The sign was auctioned off to benefit the local YMCA.
The Salisbury FFA advisors are Breanne Brammer and Wyatt Cridlebaugh.
The Salisbury FFA growing leaders activities included “Student Opportunities Google Classroom.” Members recognized finding scholarship opportunities is hard. They created a Google Classroom for members to easily find applications and requirements for scholarships. This allowed students easier access to scholarship opportunities to further their education.
Chapter activities in the strengthening agriculture category included “Ag Info Night.” This opportunity was for incoming members and their parents to learn about the agricultural classes offered and FFA. Parents talked to the advisors, incoming members interacted with National FFA President Luke O’Leary, were measured for their FFA jackets and learned about Salisbury FFA events.
Building communities activities included “Feed a Farmer Day.” Salisbury members worked with a local seed dealer to host a meal for farmers. Members served the meals and talked to community farmers about farming techniques, the impact of weather on farming and innovative practices developed through plant science. This allowed members to gain knowledge about current tactics local farmers use.
The top chapters compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. Winners will be announced this fall at the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
The Missouri FFA has 25,945 members, representing 348 chapters. The national organization has more than 700,000 members, representing 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.