Putnam County FFA members Tagg Turner and Kaleb Head deliver food boxes during their Feed the Farmer event.
Twenty-five chapters located in northeast Missouri make up the Area III Association of Missouri FFA. Within them, a variety of students with servant hearts are working to serve their communities. These FFA chapters truly embody the value of “Living to Serve,” and they tell the stories of their community service events.
Atlanta FFA
Atlanta FFA member Landon Gladhill prepares for their annual Veterans Day presentation.
The Atlanta FFA Chapter hosts an annual Veterans Day Assembly to honor veterans in their community. Members spend countless hours preparing for this day. They write scripts, plan and cook the meal, and personally invite local veterans and their families through letters and phone calls. Chapter Vice President Bella Baker says, “While the preparation requires time and effort, every minute is worth it.” She believes that while the chapter is serving its community, the community is also serving them in return. This event helps to remind members of values that are important in FFA: leadership, appreciation and service.
Putnam County FFA
Putnam County FFA members Katie Halley and Tayla Turner deliver meals to local farmers.
The “Feed the Farmer” event is a staple of service for Putnam County FFA. Each harvest season, the chapter makes meals for local farmers and delivers them to fields while farmers are harvesting. For many members, it helps connect them to their roots in agriculture and provides a perspective on the tireless labor that farmers put in to feed our communities.
Meadville FFA
Meadville FFA members sing carols at their local nursing home.
Meadville FFA is no stranger to service, and their variety of small projects throughout the year are a perfect example of large impact. Similar to Putnam County, they also prioritize farmers during the harvest season, baking and decorating thank-you cookies for local producers. During the holiday season, the Meadville FFA chapter visits local nursing homes, caroling for residents. While this is a step outside of many members’ comfort zones, it is a great way for them to give back and learn. During Teacher Appreciation Week, the chapter makes gift baskets for teachers at Meadville Elementary School. They include handwritten notes, thanking educators for their impact on the lives of students.
South Shelby FFA
Ham Hike participants begin their 5K race on Thanksgiving morning.
Started as part of a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) for a South Shelby FFA member, the “Ham Hike” has stuck around, now serving as a community service project within the chapter. Each Thanksgiving, it hosts a 5K run. Every participant receives a ham for their Thanksgiving meal, and for each registered person, a ham is donated to the local shelter.
Area III
Many other Area III chapters participate in service projects throughout the year. Macon County FFA holds an annual breakfast as a thank you to its local community. North Shelby FFA serves turnovers to their teachers during National FFA Week. Macon FFA recently held a pickleball tournament to promote community engagement.
The diverse range of service projects within Area III can inspire others to learn from these leaders, adapt these events to help their communities, and embody the last line of the FFA motto throughout their daily lives. Always remember: FFA members are living to serve.
