The National FFA Organization has state associations and local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here are some of the important and exciting things happening in their communities.
Alabama: The Enterprise FFA Chapter’s horticulture classes recently created flower baskets that lined the streets of their downtown area.
Alaska: Chapters are encouraged to focus part of their community service efforts on suicide prevention. The state has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation.
Arizona: Red Mountain FFA hosted a country kickback dance to bring Arizona FFA members together for an evening of entertainment.
Arkansas: This winter, state officers will welcome firstyear members to Camp Couchdale, where they host three Greenhand conferences.
California: State officers invited six chapters to take over the @CaliforniaFFA social media accounts this summer. For a week, chapters shared news, happenings and more about their communities.
Colorado: Limon FFA hosted a “Speaking as Easy as Pie” event on Nov. 7 where members practiced their speeches. The community attended and learned about agriculture while enjoying homemade pie.
Connecticut: Housatonic FFA is gearing up for its annual Holiday Production Marketing Unit. The chapter typically raises over $70,000 in three weeks by selling holiday plants and decorations.
Delaware: Caesar Rodney FFA has partnered with the Delaware Department of Agriculture on an ag in the classroom trailer that will be used to teach kindergarten students about food and fiber.
Florida: Deane Bozeman FFA has joined the University of Florida, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and others to restore the bays surrounding Panama City, Fla.
Georgia: Gov. Nathan Deal attended the Georgia FFA Convention to sign Senate Bill 330 into law, which brings the three-component model of agricultural education and agricultural education programs into elementary schools.
Hawaii: Keaau FFA members volunteer year-round at local nonprofit agencies in exchange for on-site career shadowing and mentoring.
Idaho: State officers have challenged members to a “penny challenge.” Members will collect pennies to donate to a charity in Idaho, an idea that came from a past issue of FFA New Horizons!
Illinois: Goreville FFA created “Screen Free for a Better Me,” challenging students to spend an hour a day away from devices and participating in activities that build cognitive skills.
Indiana: Shenandoah FFA will invite members of the community with developmental disabilities to a Legacy Christmas Party. Community members will receive presents from Santa provided by FFA members.
Iowa: Audubon FFA will travel to Haiti to build Sukup Safe T homes out of small grain bins. The homes fit up to 12 people and are hurricaneresistant. Keep an eye out for more coverage of the chapter’s trip in 2019.
Kansas: Districts across the state will hold leadership schools, where chapters compete in parliamentary procedure, opening ceremonies and a general FFA knowledge test.
Kentucky: Each January, state officers go on a statewide industry tour to learn how agriculture plays a vital role in Kentucky’s economy.
Louisiana: From the heart of the Honey Island Swamp, Pearl River FFA has developed a unique Cajun barbecue seasoning that sells in local stores and across the nation. Ça c’est bon!
Maine: In January, state officers will participate in Maine’s Agricultural Trades Show, an annual networking and educational event for agriculture and natural resources representatives and the public.
Maryland: State officers partner with the University of Maryland Extension and 4-H youth to host the U-Learn Farm at the Maryland State Fair. The farm features hands-on agricultural and educational exhibits.
Massachusetts: This fall, state officers facilitated a series of leadership workshops across the state that taught chapter officers how to become better leaders in their communities.
Michigan: During their Project Rural Education Day, members work with their local Farm Bureau to learn how to communicate the importance of agriculture to consumers.
Minnesota: At the Ag Policy Experience in March, members who are interested in politics can draft mock policy, learn more about ag issues and host a legislative reception.
Mississippi: Clarkdale FFA is leading a statewide movement to build beds for families in need. Several chapters have given foster children free beds and mattresses.
Missouri: Members have partnered with several agricultural entities to raise over $145,000 to donate to food banks across the state.
Montana: Electric City FFA members participated in an “Infarmation” project, posting signs that identify crops along highways throughout central Montana to promote ag literacy.
Nebraska: Nebraska FFA is looking forward to kicking off its Chapter Visit Program this spring. State officers will meet with members across the state.
Nevada: At Sierra Nevada FFA, first-year students and their families visited the school’s urban farm for the Freshman Meet & Greet. Members learned about the program and participated in leadership activities with chapter officers.
New Hampshire: This summer, Coe Brown Much-To-Do FFA and Dover FFA ran an educational children’s barn at the Deerfield Fair, the largest and oldest fair in the state.
New Jersey: This winter, Northern Burlington FFA will visit local Christmas tree farms to gather greens, make wreaths and grave blankets, and sell them to the school and community as a fundraiser.
New Mexico: Every year, New Mexico FFA chapters roast and sell their world-famous green chiles as a major fundraiser.
New York: In December, Albion FFA members will assist local farmers in distributing and donating over 35,000 pounds of fresh foods to different food pantries in their area.
North Carolina: Each September, the North Carolina FFA Center hosts wildlife camp, giving members a close look at the state’s wildlife, conservation resources and careers in the field.
North Dakota: Oakes-Sargent Central FFA is living to serve by planting 170 fruit trees and shrubs. The produce will be donated to a regional food bank.
Ohio: As part of its Ag Career Day, Harrison Central FFA joined forces with the local Farm Bureau to connect students with industry leaders and speakers.
Oklahoma: Members of Wellston FFA have been so inspired by former member Ryan Danker, who teaches agriculture in Uganda, that they are raising money and collecting supplies to send to Uganda.
Oregon: Everyone loves food and competition, right? The Southern Oregon District combines both through a Dutch oven dessert cook-off at its leadership camp.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania FFA will host a Mid-Winter Convention in January. Nearly 400 members will receive their state degrees, and first-year members will receive an official jacket, thanks to the generosity of the state’s FFA alumni and supporters.
Puerto Rico: FFA and 4-H members will soon participate in an initiative called “Creciendo Sembrando” (“Growing Sowing”), where middle and high school students will offer planting workshops to elementary school students year-round.
Rhode Island: Members will embrace the holiday spirit by participating in a holiday design contest where they submit arrangements, wreaths, artwork and more.
South Carolina: Every year during FFA Week, members gather at the state capitol for Legislative Day. They raise awareness for agricultural education and expose members to the inner workings of state government.
South Dakota: Milbank FFA is working with its city council to turn a vacant land plot into a community dog park, complete with agility courses designed by the chapter.
Tennessee: During the Tennessee 212°/360° conferences in November, participants and state officers packed about 10,000 meals for local communities.
Texas: Each year, from February to August, Yantis FFA cultivates nearly 500 button bushes that are planted in the local lake in late August to reduce erosion and feed and shelter aquatic life.
U.S. Virgin Islands: Ivanna Eudora Keen FFA remodeled the backyard of an elderly couple living on the island of St. Thomas. The chapter planted new plants and created a walkway and sitting area for the couple.
Utah: Members are rallying to get an FFA license plate in their state. Their foundation has offered $1,000 to the chapter that gets the most license plate applications.
Vermont: Missisquoi Valley FFA sells gift baskets filled with student-made maple candy, crème, lollipops and more during the holiday season.
Washington: The Washington FFA Foundation swung into action at its first golf tournament fundraiser to support more student opportunities.
Virginia: Culpeper Schools put on an Ag Expo this fall. Members gave tours of livestock exhibits, showed off their welding skills, and gave engine and small animal care demonstrations.
West Virginia: Tyler FFA will collaborate with 11 chapters to host a Christmas dinner food drive. Chapters will deliver food baskets to local families in need.
Wisconsin: In February, DeForest FFA will deliver donuts and milk to farms and businesses across the school district to thank them for their support.
Wyoming: Each August, fairgoers join the state officers for the FFA Duck Race to benefit the officers’ travel fund.
