The COVID-19 pandemic may have stunned the world, but it didn’t stop FFA members from serving in their communities. From virtual workshops to drive-through food giveaways, FFA members lived to help others — even at a distance. Use these examples to inspire your next chapter events and activities.
Members and state officers may submit your chapter updates at FFA.org/Submit-Your-Story.
Alabama
Members participated in a virtual workshop with Kansas and Montana FFA members to craft their own “why” statements (why they do what they do) to help them become more effective leaders.
Alaska
Using Zoom to bridge the more than 2,800-mile distance, Alaska FFA members showed off their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) during the virtual “Pontiac, Illinois FFA Elementary Agriculture Comes to Town” event. Two members discussed raising yaks on the Kenai Peninsula, and trapping and selling furs in Tok.
Arizona
Antelope FFA in Welton ran a drive-in banquet that not only showed off the achievements of its members but also inspired the community.
Arkansas
Bentonville West FFA received a grant to continue shop class from home, including building birdhouses.
California
San Luis Obispo FFA hosted a dairy drive and collected 56 dairy products for families in need. More drives are planned in the future.
Colorado
Alamosa FFA member Emily Wilson partnered with her local National Honor Society chapter to host a hygiene drive for families in her community.
Connecticut
Killingly FFA educated the public about agriculture through its social media pages in the form of TriviaTuesdays and various other Instagram challenges.
Delaware
Caesar Rodney FFA organized a social media platform to recognize and advertise local produce stands and direct farm sales.
Florida
Branford FFA encouraged members to put their agriculture skills into action at home. Seed packets were available for pickup at school or by bus route to ensure all students had access to vegetable,
herb and flower seeds for their home gardens.
Georgia
Rather than sell the vegetable plants and bedding flowers from its greenhouse, Lanier County FFA donated these plants to the local food bank in their community. Members served nearly 300 families in a day. More flowers from the greenhouse were given to the local hospital to thank local health care workers.
Hawaii
State officers hosted a virtual workshop for FFA members about traditional Hawaiian agriculture, including how Mahina (the moon) affects practices.
Idaho
For Meal-to-Go night, Filer FFA served meals to community members in their cars, all while also supporting local businesses.
Illinois
Chapters advocated forcommunity members to participate in the 2020 Census and in return, received $125 credits toward FFA event registrations. This movement allowed chaptersto save money and get involved with their communities.
Indiana
Rossville FFAstarted a program called FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group) that buys meals from local businesses and gives them to frontline workers.
Iowa
Belmond-Klemme FFA arranged garden starter kits for students to grow crops while they’re at home. The harvest was shared with those in need in the community.
Kansas
Blue Valley FFA created “We Believe Gardens” and handed out fresh produce to households in its school district.
Kentucky
Royal Spring Middle School FFA hosted a virtual 5K to encourage community members to stay active despite the pandemic. Funds from registration fees were donated to Feeding Kentucky to help those struggling with food insecurity.
Louisiana
To help flatten the COVID-19 curve in Louisiana, FFA members at Vinton High School worked with community volunteers to sew and deliver more than 150 cloth face masks.
Maine
State officers took to Instagram to not only send encouraging messages to their members and advisors but also offer a daily trivia challenge for the week. Each winner took home an Amazon gift card.
Maryland
When its annual plant sale was put on hold indefinitely, Gwynn Park FFA partnered with several organizations to hand out the vegetables, herbs and houseplants – along with gardening and nutrition resources – to food distribution sites in the community.
Massachusetts
The Bristol and South Shore FFA chapters used 3-D printers to make face shields and donated them to frontline workers.
Michigan
Ithaca FFA participated in a statewide competition called Tons of Tabs, where members collected bottle tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. The competition ended in early September, and the winner received a prize.
Minnesota
To keep members engaged and connected while also having a friendly competition, Grand Rapids FFA hosted a virtual Kahoot game and gave away prizes. The state hosted a virtual FFA Creed contest where members sent in video recordings showing off their Creed speaking skills. The winner received a $25 gift card to Shop FFA.
Missouri
The Greene County FFA Chapter donated hanging baskets of f lowers that couldn’t be sold due to the COVID-19 pandemic to the local nursing homes to brighten the outdoor areas for residents.
Montana
Missoula FFA purchased and processed hogs at the Missoula County Public Schools Meat Lab to provide the community with meat during the quarantine. Buying the hogs from South Dakota, the chapter turned a product that would be wasted into meat that went into the local food system.
Nebraska
To inspire its members, Nebraska grooved to a virtual talent revue. In a 13-minute video, FFA members rocked their talents, such as piano playing and singing.
Nevada
Silver Sage FFA initiated a community service project for chapter members to write thank-you letters to those making a difference in the community during the pandemic. New Hampshire Sugar River Valley FFA created 200 Sunshine Victory Garden kits containing seeds and soil. The kits were distributed free to community members at a local farm stand.
New Jersey
Students at the Delsea Regional FFA Chapter continue to grow produce through their school greenhouse. Utilizing safe social distancing methods, students harvest their crops and donate the items to community members in need.
New Mexico
The state hosted a chapter scrapbook competition featuring chapter highlights of the 2019-20 school year.
New York
FFA members servedas dairy fairies, providing dairy products, food and hope to many people in need.
North Carolina
West Rowan FFA served its community through its #PlantHopeInitiative. Members distributed garden packs grown in their school greenhouses to empower community members to start gardens
at home.
North Dakota
Members of Max FFA supported their community by helping keep the Our Savior Lord’s Food Pantry up and running during this time of need.
Ohio
Plymouth FFA made a COVID-19 Kindness Calendar. This 30-day challenge featured daily activities for members to show their appreciation for essential workers.
Oklahoma
Burns Flat-Dill City FFA reopened its chapter meat sales program to provide quality pork products to the local community to combat the nationwide meat shortage.
Oregon
Burns FFA Alumni and parents planned a drive-by to celebrate a newly elected state officer, honking and showing their support all down the caravan.
Pennsylvania
As an online community service event, members have collectively donated more than 2.7 million grains of rice since April by answering trivia questions on the digital game Freerice.
Rhode Island
Chapters across the state have hosted their respected plant sale fundraisers and have safely visited their schools to make sure their plants and animals are healthy during this time.
South Carolina
Nation Ford FFA partnered with Anne Springs Close Greenway, a local nature preserve, to create a virtual series on agricultural issues and topics that taught its community at home.
South Dakota
Deubrook FFA hosted a ditch cleanup contest. Community members posted pictures of their filled trash bags with #Deubrook-DitchQuarantineCleanup to be entered into a drawing.
Tennessee
Bradley FFA members took on a project straight from history books: Victory gardens. Similar to home gardens grown during World War II, students grew their food with the virtual help of their advisors.
Texas
Krum FFA member Caitlyn Muckensturm installed four micro food pantries – called Project H.O.P.E (Helping Other People Eat) boxes – around her community to help those who are food insecure, have lost their jobs or been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Utah
Uintah FFA wrote thank you cards and made masks for health care workers and other community members striving to make a difference.
Virginia
FFA members were treated to a virtual tour of Gore’s Meats to learn about meat production after the cancellation of school field trips.
Washington
To celebrate the association’s 90th anniversary, the state produced a virtual Hall of Chapters that showcased the activities and achievements of numerous chapters.
West Virginia
Members designed a bingo game to learn about FFA members. The boards could be shared with a hashtag on Facebook.
Wisconsin
Spencer FFA delivered more than 100 Easter baskets when the annual egg hunt was canceled due to COVID-19. The baskets included toys and games the kids could enjoy while staying at home.
Wyoming
The state hosted an online leadership camp in June that featured, among other activities, a flag ceremony video contest where members showcased what patriotism meant to each chapter.
