The Guymon FFA Officer Team.
In the quiet town of Guymon, Okla., community runs deep, and the members of the Guymon FFA Chapter take that sense of community to heart. Whether they’re cleaning up a local park, packing food boxes or teaching young children about where their food comes from, these members are showing that the FFA motto, “Living to Serve,” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a way of life.
This year, the chapter set a goal to complete at least one community service project each month. It wasn’t about checking boxes or earning recognition; it was about making a difference, one act of service at a time.
Their efforts began with something simple but impactful: picking up trash around Sunset Lake, a popular local spot for fishing, walking and family gatherings. Armed with gloves, trash bags and plenty of determination, FFA members spent the afternoon restoring the beauty of a place their community loves.
The Guymon FFA Officer Team cleaning up Sunset Lake.
Soon after, they turned their focus to feeding those in need by volunteering at Fish and Loaves, a local food bank. There, members sorted donations, packed boxes and handed out groceries, connecting the dots between agriculture and service in a very real way.
“It really opened our eyes,” said Jaycee Padley, Guymon FFA president. “When you grow up around agriculture, you sometimes forget how many people rely on it in ways we don’t always see. Helping at the food bank reminded us that agriculture isn’t just about animals or crops, it’s about people. It’s about making sure everyone is cared for.”
Guymon FFA helps at the local food bank.
Their next project, one that has quickly become a favorite, is called Buddy Day. During parent-teacher conferences, Guymon FFA members will host local children for an afternoon filled with agriculture-themed games, hands-on learning and time in the barn. Parents can focus on meetings while their kids learn about farm animals, plants and the importance of agriculture in their daily lives.
For Padley, projects like these show the true purpose of FFA.
“Our community supports us in everything we do, shows, contests, fundraisers,” she said. “Giving back is our way of saying thank you. Every time we serve, I see our members grow, not just as leaders, but as people.”
Their agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor, Levi Johnson, says watching his members take ownership of service has been one of the most rewarding parts of his career.
“They don’t just serve because they have to,” Johnson said. “They serve because they want to. They bring the ideas, make the plans, and see them through. That’s what leadership looks like, and it’s something that makes me incredibly proud as their advisor.”
Johnson added that the growth he’s seen in his members this year goes far beyond the classroom.
“When they’re out there picking up trash or teaching little kids about agriculture, that’s when they’re really learning what FFA is all about,” he said. “It’s not about medals or plaques, it’s about learning to care for others and your community.”
Month after month, Guymon FFA continues to lead by example, proving that even small acts of kindness can leave a big mark. Through every project, they embody the FFA motto in full: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.
Because in Guymon, service isn’t just something you do; it’s who you are.
