Each year during the National FFA Convention & Expo, the National FFA Organization recognizes the top FFA chapters in the country that have innovative activities in each of the three award divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. The chapters that receive three-star ratings during judging are eligible to compete for the Premier Chapter awards. This year’s winners are recognized for activities ranging from crop mazes to PVC fish habitats to safe Halloween trick-or-treating alternatives.
Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders Winner – Branford FFA of Florida
Branford FFA (pictured above) planted a maze to teach students about careers in plant science, technology, the environment and agricultural communications. The maze covered 3.5 acres, and participating students used GIS technology to cut it. They also developed partnerships with four local businesses to help fund the project; one local farmer even donated a 14-foot grain drill so they could continue cutting a maze in the future. The chapter taught 175 elementary-age students about fall agricultural commodities such as pumpkins, corn and sorghum.
“This year we’ve incorporated more of the younger kids into agriculture, and it’s really giving them more of an idea of how agriculture works and as well as more fields they can go into when they get older, says chapter member McKayden Wilkerson.”
Members of the Commerce Middle School FFA of Georgia receive the 2021 Premier Chapter: Building Communities award.
Premier Chapter: Building Communities – Commerce Middle School FFA Chapter of Georgia
Commerce Middle School FFA created PVC trees to promote fishing habitats and attract fish to certain areas of ponds and lakes. These artificial fish attractors were made from PVC pipe, a bucket, and concrete and were donated to the local Hard Labor Creek State Park. The park itself will benefit from increasing fish populations and will encourage a more diverse ecosystem.
“It helps the environment, but it also helps us as a people to realize how we can help the world,” says chapter member Laura Martin. “It’s not just about putting these to help fish; this is to help grow our environment to help our Earth and just for things to last longer.”
Corinth Holders FFA members decorated booths to showcase its state’s agriculture commodities. Here, community members learn how to milk a cow.
Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture – Corinth Holders FFA Chapter of North Carolina
Corinth Holders FFA worked with local Pace Family Farms to create the Treat of Agriculture Trail. The Halloween activity served as a safer alternative to trick-or-treating during the global pandemic. Participants and their families were encouraged to dress in costumes as they walked along the commodity-themed trail to learn about agriculture and receive commodity-related treats. Seven commodity groups and eight local agribusinesses participated in the event.
John Deere sponsors the National Chapter Award program. For more information on the National Chapter Award Program, visit FFA.org/nationalchapter.
