INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020/National FFA Organization) – The Normal FFA Chapter of Illinois was named 2020 Premier Chapter: Building Communities on Wednesday, during the fourth general session of the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo, held virtually this year.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.

Normal FFA used The Beauty in Reusing activity to educate FFA members about waste and recycling. After learning that each person in the U.S. creates about 3.5 pounds of trash per day that is sent to landfills, the members focused on repurposing materials. The members created 32 flower planters made from recycled materials to hand out in celebration of Mother’s Day.

National FFA recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters that receive three-star ratings during judging are eligible to compete for the premier chapter awards. Ten FFA chapters competed in a virtual presentation for the honor. Normal FFA was recognized as the winner during the fourth general session, held virtually, on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

John Deere sponsors the National Chapter Award program. The 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo is being held virtually, Oct. 27-29. The general sessions can be viewed live on RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel and FFA.org. For more information on the national convention, visit Convention.FFA.org.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.