Fall/Winter 2024: FFA in the USA

By |2024-08-28T14:50:02-04:00August 2nd, 2024|Categories: FFA New Horizons, The Feed|Tags: , , , |

For the first time, we have more than 1 million FFA members nationwide! As our organization continues to grow, check out these fresh ideas and classic gems from previous issues to keep everyone engaged.

Alabama

As part of its annual state convention, the Alabama FFA Association honors FFA chapters with 100% student membership. The chapters host tailgates or cookouts, trips to the Sunbelt Ag Expo and other fun events for members.

Alaska

Midnight Sun FFA promotes and supports the growth of its chapter by hosting an Alaskan Ag Day, which includes a themed scavenger hunt and bread and butter making station.

Arizona

Pearce FFA members learn about soils, crops and a variety of plant disorders as well as cotton judging and hot pepper eating. The chapter’s Chile Field Day also has a long-lasting legacy.

Arkansas

During the summer, members can embark on industry tours and develop leadership skills at the immersive Arkansas Leadership Conference held at Camp Couchdale.

California

California FFA uses the Three-Component Model to engage members, starting in the classroom where students can receive college preparatory credits and meet graduation standards.

Colorado

This year’s state officers visited more than 100 chapters statewide, where they facilitated workshops to connect with members.

Connecticut

Mattabeset FFA hosts an annual freshman orientation. The event, led by the chapter’s president, features workshops and a thrilling Ag Olympics.

Delaware

From egg selling ventures to aquaponics systems and a floral shop, Woodbridge Middle FFA exposes students to all areas of agriculture.

Florida

The DeLand Middle FFA Chapter hosts a lock-in for all members, which encourages new members to enter a raffle to “pie” an eighth-grade member at the closing of the event.

Georgia

Jefferson Middle FFA members open the school year by inviting prospective students to experience an FFA meeting before deciding to join.

Hawaii

Hawaii FFA is working to revive new and old chapters. For example, state officers traveled to Honoka‘a High to meet with the school’s FFA advisor in hopes of reviving this dormant chapter.

Idaho

A hands-on community garden maintained by Hagerman FFA members helps fund the chapter and is part of a farm-to-table classroom experience.

Illinois

Last fall, state officers visited 335 chapters and 8,234 students and conducted an escape room workshop on the opportunities within the Three-Component Model of Agricultural Education.

Indiana

Tri-West FFA hosts a schoolwide cornhole tournament, which creates a fun evening for current members and encourages prospective members to join the chapter.

Iowa

The Osage FFA Chapter worked with its subdistrict to host a celebration of women in FFA. Members listened to speakers, participated in workshops and learned how to tell their stories.

Kansas

Chapman FFA hosts Greenhand Greetings, which includes a Freshman Frenzy. Members visit the homes of all incoming freshmen enrolled in agricultural education and give them copies of the Official FFA Manual as well as the chapter’s constitution, Program of Activities and an officer contact list.

Kentucky

Kentucky FFA implemented a new chapter-level award called “Spirit of the Creed.” The award is designed to recognize and engage members who aren’t holding leadership positions but are valuable to their chapters.

Louisiana

The Ponchatoula FFA Chapter sponsors a back-to-school FFA tailgate for all members before the school’s football season opener.

Maine

Caribou FFA celebrates with a pig roast at its annual banquet. Meat from a locally raised hog is paired with baked potatoes grown at the school.

Maryland

North Harford FFA recognizes a “Member of the Month.” In addition to being included on a school bulletin board, selected members are featured on social media and receive a goodie bag.

Massachusetts

State officers facilitated a series of leadership workshops across the state that taught chapter officers how to become better community leaders.

Michigan

Kent Area Career Tech Center FFA adds diversity to its students’ education by growing exotic plants in its greenhouse such as pineapple, aloe vera and banana trees.

Minnesota

The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter hosts junior high fun nights and an annual lock-in dedicated to encouraging younger members to join the chapter.

Mississippi

This state association is thriving. Members have facilitated agriculture days, held livestock shows and a rodeo, repaired equipment and tried new competitions.

Missouri

To empower members, the state hosts Public Speaking Institutes, where members work with specialists, including past national FFA officers, to learn the fundamentals of speeches and speaking contests.

Montana

Chester-Joplin-Inverness FFA hosts a Greenhand Night. All high school students are welcome to learn more about FFA opportunities while participating in fun activities and games.

Nebraska

Wallace FFA members raised broiler chickens. After the chickens were finished feeding out, members participated in and learned about the butchering process.

Nevada

Battle Mountain FFA students make ice cream during an eighth grade recruitment day at the high school.

New Hampshire

Chapters engage members by holding events for middle schoolers, particularly eighth graders, to spark their passion for agriculture.

New Jersey

As part of its agricultural engineering class, the Penns Grove FFA Chapter builds energy windmills from classroom items.

New Mexico

Each year, state officers roll out a legacy platform that encourages members to use FFA opportunities to benefit their communities.

New York

Members partner with state government leaders for a Forum on the Future of Farms and Food. This event aims to increase interest in agriculture from all New York students, schools and communities.

North Carolina

In July, members convene at the North Carolina FFA Center in White Lake for the annual State Leadership Conference. FFA members join to develop relationships, leadership skills and a desire to serve.

North Dakota

Belfield FFA hosts a junior high ag day for neighboring schools. Participants learn about competitions, agricultural topics and leadership skills through hands-on experiences.

Ohio

Every spring, FFA chapters in Preble County hold an annual basketball tournament called the Ag-Ball series.

Oklahoma

To welcome new members, the Tecumseh FFA Chapter hosts an annual mud volleyball tournament at the beginning of the school year.

Oregon

Southern Oregon District hosts a Dutch oven cook-off at leadership camp, where each chapter presents a dessert to its advisors.

Pennsylvania

In Midd-West FFA, all new agriculture students and their families are invited to an Ag Open House and Back 2 School BBQ to tour facilities, learn about FFA activities and find inspiration for supervised agricultural experiences.

Puerto Rico

Each spring, Puerto Rico FFA members are encouraged to assist at the Guajataca Leadership Camp, where they interact with nature and get to know each other.

Rhode Island

A state officer “Wanna Be” workshop in March helped members learn what it takes to hold each position.

South Carolina

FFA members attended the Ag Tailgate in the fall before a Clemson football game to learn about agriculture-focused university majors and careers.

South Dakota

Advanced animal and plant science classes hosted by the Winner FFA Chapter helped members work with the garden plants or livestock.

Tennessee

The first-ever Tennessee FFA SAE Hall provides opportunities to showcase production agriculturists and the diversity of supervised agricultural experience projects.

Texas

Harper FFA has seen member engagement bump due to the interest in its Flea Market Flip program. Students find old furniture or other unique items, then utilize classroom skills to transform them.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Students took part in the islands’ first Ag Discovery event. The agenda included a field trip to the garden and poultry farm managed by one of the FFA chapters.

Utah

In a world full of technology, social media engagement is so important! Utah FFA loves interacting with members through eye-catching posts and uplifting agricultural content.

Vermont

In February, FFA members participated in the Vermont Farm Show. Activities included a scavenger hunt, state officer workshop and more.

Virginia

More than 400 members attended Virginia FFA Day at the Capitol this past January. Members met with legislators from across the state to advocate for FFA and agricultural education.

Washington

The state offers unique leadership opportunities such as the Evergreen Leadership Tour as well as potato judging and apple evaluation competitions that emphasize the state’s agricultural commodities.

West Virginia

The Washington FFA Chapter recently served its community by donating and delivering 60 meals to thank first responders.

Wisconsin

To help educate chapter officers, state officers visit every school within their respective section and host Sectional Leadership Workshops.

Wyoming

Members come together for a week during the Wyoming FFA Leadership Camp to work on chapter communication, leadership, public speaking and outdoor adventure.

Share Your Stories

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