The Evergreen FFA Chapter achieved a gold-rated state award that has not been earned in more than two decades. The National Chapter Award is a state and national award within the National FFA Organization.
The award uses a three-rank system: gold, silver, and bronze. This year, the Evergreen FFA set a goal to apply for the award in hopes of receiving at least a gold rating.
The chapter not only achieved that goal but also earned a top-10 placing in the Strengthening Agriculture division. With the gold rating, the Evergreen FFA Chapter ranks in the top 15% in the state and will advance to the national level later this summer.
In late March, the chapter continued its pursuit by competing in the Strengthening Agriculture interviews against nine other FFA chapters across the state.
The chapter conducted three large events in the category to secure its top-10 standing. The events included an elementary agricultural day last May, an agricultural safety program for middle school students, and a recruitment activity with eighth-grade students in February.
The National Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapters for their events and activities benefiting the three aspects of a program of activities, essentially a yearly calendar of events, through growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.
This award measures how a chapter contributes to its members’ personal growth, to the community, and to the agricultural industry.
To be able to apply for this award area, the chapter must plan, execute, and evaluate 15 different activities under the program of activities.
This year, the chapter decided to use committees to effectively develop 15 activities aside from traditional events such as the Gold Games, which raise awareness of pediatric cancer, and the officer retreat.
Each FFA member in the chapter served on one of these planning committees. With the support of the committees, the chapter introduced new events such as Career Development Event Speed Dating Workshops and a recyclable Christmas ornament-making activity for those in need.