What does it take to rise to the top of the National Chapter Award program? Ask members and advisors representing Stillwater FFA and Carroll County Middle FFA and they’ll tell you five things — consistency, creativity, hard work, passion and planning.
To participate in this awards program, a chapter submits its Program of Activities (POA), a written guide that defines chapter goals, outlines steps needed to meet those goals and serves as a calendar of events. As part of the POA, at least 15 activities must be completed — one for each of the five quality standards in the three National FFA divisions of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.
Chapters are first recognized at the state level as superior chapters. Then, they receive gold, silver or bronze status. Each state’s top gold chapters move on to the National FFA Star Chapter Awards, where they can receive 3-star, 2-star or 1-star recognition.
From this point, the 3-star chapters become eligible to compete for the National Premier Chapter Awards as well as the Model of Excellence and Middle School Model of Excellence Awards. Last year, five chapters emerged as national winners from a list of 45.
From these best of the best chapters, one high school and one middle school are honored each year as overall Models of Excellence. Read on as the top two FFA chapters in the nation for 2023 reflect on what has made them successful — and how you can be, too.
Stillwater FFA | Oklahoma
2023 Model of Excellence and National Premier Chapter: Building Communities
This program’s creativity has no end, partly because it cultivates a culture where students are free to share their ideas for activities, then turn those thoughts into a reality. A student-initiated, student-led approach is the Stillwater FFA Chapter’s key to success.
Advisor Robby Branscum says his Oklahoma chapter’s POA planning process begins with what is referred to as a “Shark Tank.” A sign-up sheet with the 15 quality standards goes out. FFA members, including chapter officers, select a standard they’re passionate about and develop an activity that fits that standard.
Just like in the hit TV show, FFA members present their activities to peers and receive feedback. If a student’s activity is accepted, they become the member in charge, which includes gathering a committee and making sure all aspects are coordinated from start to finish.
“We find it gives our students ownership,” Branscum says. “It empowers them. They know this was their idea and therefore take a lot of pride in making it the best it can be.”
Some events that started in the “Shark Tank” become long-standing traditions, like the Cans for Community 5K race. Instead of asking for monetary donations, the chapter challenges participants to bring a minimum of 20 canned food items. These cans are loaded on a trailer and donated to the local Salvation Army for Thanksgiving food baskets. The activity was proposed six years ago and has since become a community favorite in Stillwater.
Stillwater FFA members load more than 4,800 canned food items into a Salvation Army truck.
For the past eight years, the chapter has given a $5 bill to each FFA freshman. These young students are asked to use the money to make a difference in the school or broader community. The only rule: They cannot spend more than the $5 they received.
It’s a lesson in how a little can go a long way, especially when people work together. Students have teamed up to buy trash bags and clean up the park or buy ingredients to bake for healthcare or rescue workers. For the 2023 award year, 75 students, each with $5, served 1,542 community members in three months. In doing so, they logged 405 service hours and earned their chapter the 2023 Premier Chapter: Building Communities award.
Stillwater FFA members and their advisor, Robby Branscum, react to being named the 2023 Model of Excellence on stage at convention.
Stillwater FFA members also offer the following tips.
- Have an open mind. Be willing to try new activities and understand the first year may not be successful. “When I think of the 5K race, I reflect on where it was the first year, where it is now and how much it’s grown,” Branscum says.
- Engage young members. To get young members excited about attending FFA events, Stillwater FFA started its “Very Involved Person” program. Members who attend at least 12 of 15 POA activities get an “I’m a Stillwater VIP” T-shirt.
- Keep good records. Although you may be tempted to put off completing paperwork, don’t do it. “If we’re planning as we go, the application process at the end should be relatively short,” Branscum says.
- Look at everyone in your community. The most successful activities center around the unique needs of Stillwater’s community, schools and students — including those who aren’t FFA members.
- Stay connected. Branch out and interact with people who don’t normally walk the halls of a high school agriculture building. Build greater connections with alumni, professionals and other types of supporters.
Carroll County Middle FFA | Virginia
2023 Middle School Model of Excellence
For Natalie Culler and Madelyn Caviness, 10th graders and alumnae of Carroll County Middle FFA in Virginia, standing on stage at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo was a dream come true, and winning the 2023 Middle School Model of Excellence award was the cherry on top. The two recall watching videos of past recipients thinking, “Can I get there?”
Although living this dream was exciting, it was also scary at times. Culler recalls waiting outside the finals hall for 30 minutes before it was their turn to take the stage.
“I was trying to keep my mind off competing,” says Culler, who did so by laughing with friends. “I tried to focus on remembering my part, what I needed to say and addressing the judge, but not worrying about anything else in that moment.”
Caviness says it’s important not to just talk about the good things that happen when competing and winning awards. It’s also normal to experience arguments, tears and stress, she says.
“It takes hard work and dedication,” Culler adds. “It’s not easy, but it’s all worth it to accomplish a long-held goal.”
Carroll County Middle FFA alumnae Magen Key (second from left), Natalie Culler (center) and Madelyn Caviness (second from right) celebrate on stage with 2022-23 National FFA Secretary Jessica Herr (far left) and their advisor, John Carpenter (far right).
Culler, Caviness and John Carpenter, Carroll County Middle FFA advisor, share their thoughts on what it takes to become an award-winning chapter.
- Connect with the community. Whether it’s teaching elementary students about agriculture using 12 different stations during a fair or hosting community-wide festivals, chapter activities can benefit people of all ages.
- Build a foundation. Once you offer an event, there’s a good chance people will want you to continue it, Carpenter says. Consistent connections, dedication and member involvement can help set you up for success in the future.
- Find motivated people. “The people who really want it are going to be your best workers,” Culler says.
- Find strength in adversity. Challenges are to be expected, for both teachers and students. “When we come up with an activity, it’s not if there’s going to be a wrench thrown in it — it’s how many,” Carpenter says.
- Don’t underestimate the “small things” or young members. What might seem insignificant to an older, more experienced FFA member might mean the world to a younger member, Carpenter says. “In our chapter, there’s always someone impacted, and it might not be who you thought it would be,” he adds.
The Pursuit of Excellence
Click here to access the 2023 Program of Activities Guide, which includes tips for getting started and strengthening your application as well as inspiration from additional award-winning chapters.
