The National FFA Organization has state associations and local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here are some of the important and exciting things happening in their communities.
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Alabama: Alabama’s North District held a canned food drive for a local food bank during district contests in April.
Alaska: During FFA Week, Delta Junction FFA built kiosks at local historic sites, which provided information about locally grown foods.
Arizona: Snowflake FFA hosted an agricultural education day for 4th-6th graders during FFA Week. Kids learned about agricultural mechanics, livestock production, specialty animals, crops and more.
Arkansas: For three weeks during the summer, members can take industry tours and learn leadership skills at the Arkansas Leadership Conference at Camp Couchdale.
California: Chino-Don Lugo FFA hosted a Moo-tastic Farm Party to educate the community about the importance of conservation, soil management and pollution.
Colorado: Limon FFA members use their aquaculture class to raise fish for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. They monitor water temperature and acidity, and help release fish to repopulate lakes.
Connecticut: The Housatonic Valley FFA Alumni Association sponsors an exchange program for members. Last summer, two members visited a chapter in South Dakota, and two South Dakota members came to Connecticut.
Delaware: The Delaware FFA Association is organizing a first-ever statewide camp for its members in August.
Florida: Belleview FFA worked with its local hospital to create Chemo Care Kits for Kids for children going through chemotherapy. Kits contained activity books, candy and hand-knit hats.
Georgia: Gilmer County FFA’s new Agriculture Center opened this spring. On the grounds were apple orchards, a food-processing center, livestock facilities and a meeting space.
Hawaii:
Konawaena FFA made homemade jelly to distribute to the elderly in the community.
Idaho:
District Officer Training (DOT), a three-day leadership experience in Idaho’s wilderness, helps officers learn new skills to serve their districts.
Illinois: Every June at state convention, Illinois FFA Alumni raffle a John Deere Gator. The money they raise funds scholarships to help members attend different conferences.
Indiana: Ten interactive learning stations in the Indiana FFA pavilion at the Indiana State Fair educate the public about topics related to FFA, agriculture and STEM.
Iowa: Roland-Story FFA delivered nutritious, prepackaged meals to homebound community members. Talk about living to serve!
Kansas: To shine a spotlight on supervised agricultural experiences, members are finding ways to promote hands-on, experiential learning.
Kentucky: From June to July, around 1,500 members prepare for the upcoming school year with training at the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg.
Louisiana: During National FFA Week, state officers participated in an industry and chapter tour in southern Louisiana. The agenda includes meeting other members, advisors and guests, and learning about the rich history of FFA.
Maine: State officers spend some of their summer participating in the Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield and assisting with the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle.
Maryland: FFA members educate attendees at the Maryland State Fair about agriculture at the U-Learn Farm. Activities range from milking a fake cow to planting different varieties of lettuce.
Massachusetts: The Massachusetts FFA Association is Growing Together this year with a statewide service project. The plan: distribute seed starter kits to the community and help “feed the nine!”
Michigan: Members are participating in the Alcona Syrup Day event, where they can eat pancakes, try homemade syrup and learn about sap production.
Minnesota: Glencoe-Silver Lake FFA built bookshelves, hosted a book drive and delivered stocked bookshelves to elementary schools in its school district.
Mississippi: Members will partner with Habitat for Humanity on July 1. The to-do list includes renovating parks, planting communal gardens and teaching agricultural lessons at local libraries.
Missouri: Members will learn about food insecurity and service while packing 50,000 meals through the Meals of Hope program during the Missouri State Fair.
Montana: State officers tour various agricultural operations on the West Coast, including the Wheat Marketing Center in Portland, Ore.
Nebraska: Many members spend the summer preparing livestock, crops and other exhibits for their county fairs. Good luck!
Nevada: Nevada’s newly elected state officers will facilitate a Summer Leadership Camp – a perfect time to develop leadership skills and to run for zone office.
New Hampshire: This spring, the Granite State Association of FFA joined New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu in proclaiming the week of Feb. 13 as Career & Technical Student Organization Week.
New Jersey: The New Jersey FFA Alumni hosted the annual golf tournament in honor of John and Laurie Neyhart. Community members team up to support student scholarships and leadership opportunities.
New Mexico: Harding County FFA developed a water conservation garden and worked with younger students to plant it at the entrance of their school.
New York: Oswegatchie FFA Camp will have a hot summer, hosting over 700 youth in the Adirondacks. Oswegatchie offers 1,200 acres of woods, ponds and FFA leadership training.
North Carolina: For six weeks during the summer, members attend FFA Camp, one of the oldest programs in the state.
North Dakota: Using $1,000 grants from the state Department of Agriculture, 10 chapters planted gardens with the goal of donating 250,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries, shelters and charitable organizations around the state.
Ohio: Bloom-Carroll FFA members spend the summer operating an Ag-Awareness Summer Camp. They teach 1st-5th graders about agriculture and FFA.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma FFA Alumni Leadership Camp takes place in July. Eye-openers, water olympics and small groups transform the campground into the happiest place on Earth.
Oregon: The Joseph FFA Chapter uses a grant to offer an aviation course. Students learn the basics of flight and other aspects of aeronautical implementation.
Pennsylvania: During Pennsylvania’s annual state convention week, 1,500 FFA members gather at Penn State University for CDEs and leadership development events, delegate business and more.
Puerto Rico: In September, members from around the island will meet on a small farm to do community work, plant vegetables and help in a shelter.
Rhode Island: A state officer “Wanna Be” workshop in March helped members learn about what it takes to hold the position. Current state officers were on hand for guidance.
South Carolina: From June to August, members hit the beach for FFA Summer Camp for leadership and communication skills – and for fun in the sun, too!
South Dakota: Advanced animal and plant science classes hosted the last few summers by Winner FFA help members work with the garden plants or livestock that they’ll show at the county fair.
Tennessee: Five Tennessee FFA Stars will travel on the third annual Star Tour in June. On the route, they’ll meet with over 200 campers at Camp Clements and then travel across the state to meet with the commissioner of agriculture and others.
Texas: More than 900 members and advisors participated in Texas FFA Day in Austin. The Texas Senate and House of Representatives recognized the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Hughes Act.
U.S. Virgin Islands: Last summer, students took part in the islands’ first Ag Discovery event. The agenda included a field trip to the garden and poultry farm managed by the Arthur A. Richards Junior High FFA Chapter.
Utah: This summer, members from across the state will learn leadership skills at the Utah FFA’s Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) to help strengthen communities.
Vermont: Over 150 members competed in two CDEs at the state’s Winter Farm Show competitions. Members will soon collect sap for their maple sugar operations.
Virginia: Members from across the state socialize and learn about FFA at the Virginia FFA Leadership Camp, organized by past state officers at Graves Mountain Lodge.
Washington: More than 200 legislators, alumni and special guests kicked off an FFA license plate program with an event at the governor’s mansion. National FFA Talent Competition winner Michela Walker sang. (Check out Walker’s three favorite songs on page 4.)
West Virginia: Several chapters have implemented high tunnels into their agricultural programs. A Farm to School program gives members the opportunity to grow fresh veggies for their school cafeterias.
Wisconsin: 400 members will come together in June during the 88th Wisconsin FFA Convention to package 40,000 pounds of food to distribute in southern Wisconsin.
Wyoming: The Wyoming FFA Leadership Camp is turning 40! Students will come together for a week to work on chapter communication, leadership, public speaking and outdoor adventure.
– Compiled by Julie Woodard
Thanks to all the state officers for their help with this! Tell your state officers if you too want to be featured in future issues!
