Mud, Meals and Mayhem: Inside Culpeper County’s FFA Week
Chapter members participate in the 2024 Mud Madness morning warm-up challenge, a staple of the Culpeper County FFA Chapter’s National FFA Week celebration.
Chaos. That’s what it looks like at first glance. Students racing against the clock, hands deep in buckets of mud and classmates cheering them on from across the room. Beneath the laughter and competition, though, is something far more intentional. For Culpeper County FFA in Virginia, this moment — known as the “Mud Madness” challenge — is not just a game; it is leadership training in disguise.
Each February, during National FFA Week, the Culpeper County FFA Chapter transforms ordinary school days into purposeful, high-energy experiences designed to strengthen leadership, teamwork and service. Rather than relying on a single assembly or ceremony, the chapter dedicates the entire week to engaging members, building community and showcasing what FFA truly represents.
Lessons on Leadership
The foundation of Culpeper County’s FFA Week is its block-by-block challenge system. Every class period begins with an activity that pushes members to think, communicate and collaborate under pressure. Some challenges emphasize quick decision-making and teamwork, while others test agricultural knowledge or communication skills. Activities such as FFA trivia, roping challenges, blindfolded games, the helium stick challenge and the ever-popular Mud Madness have become staples over the years, consistently drawing high participation and enthusiasm.
These activities are not chosen at random. Each one is designed to reinforce the leadership skills FFA strives to develop: confidence, cooperation, problem-solving and perseverance. By framing these lessons as challenges, Culpeper County FFA ensures members are learning by doing, rather than simply being told what leadership looks like.
Preparation for the week begins before students ever see the first challenge. Monday afternoons are dedicated to officer meetings, where the leadership team ensures that logistics, materials and schedules are in place. This behind-the-scenes planning allows the week to run smoothly and provides officers with real-world experience in organization and accountability.
From the Classroom to the Community
2024-25 Culpeper County FFA Vice President Madison Stephens guides Culpeper Middle School agriculture students through a modified version of the cup stack challenge, which required members to put their communication and leadership skills to the test.
Beyond the daily challenges, the chapter extends its impact beyond the high school. On Tuesday and Wednesday, officers and highly involved members, as well as those interested in future leadership roles, travel to Culpeper Middle School to visit the agricultural education program. There, they introduce younger students to FFA and host leadership workshops throughout the day. These sessions not only promote the organization, but also help middle school students see the opportunities FFA can provide as they continue their involvement. By engaging younger students, the chapter reinforces the value of leadership and community involvement — principles that extend naturally into the service projects that define the latter part of FFA Week.
Service remains a central pillar of Culpeper County. On Thursday evening, chapter members and advisors volunteer at Saint Luke’s Warming Shelter, where they serve dinner and dessert, prepare lunches for the following day and deliver care packages assembled by the chapter. This tradition reinforces the idea that leadership extends beyond school walls and into the community, where compassion and service matter most.
2024-25 Culpeper County FFA Chapter Officers Danika Landreth (student advisor), Madison Stephens (vice president), Nicole Saldana (vice president) and Avah Bache (president), joined by Chapter Advisor Laura DeLano and member Savannah Landreth, prep meals during their annual visit to Saint Luke’s Warming Shelter.
After dedicating their Thursday to helping those in need, the chapter shifts its focus closer to home, applying the same principles of service and appreciation to honor the teachers and staff who guide them throughout the year. On Friday morning, officers and advisors prepare and serve breakfast for teachers and staff at the high school. By recognizing the educators who support students year-round, the chapter emphasizes gratitude as a core leadership value and ensures FFA is seen as a part of the schoolwide community that is not just limited to agricultural education.
For Culpeper County FFA, National FFA Week is more than a celebration; it is a carefully designed experience that blends leadership development, community outreach and school spirit into one cohesive experience. Through muddy hands, middle school workshops, service projects and shared meals, the chapter demonstrates that FFA is not just about agriculture; it is about preparing students to lead, serve and succeed long after the week is over.
2023-24 Chapter Officers Raegan Delagardelle, Madison Stephens (reporter), Brailey Jenkins (treasurer), Danika Landreth (vice president) and Avah Bache (vice president) participate in the Culpeper County FFA Chapter’s Yellowstone vs. Duck Dynasty spirit day.
