INDIANAPOLIS — The Normal FFA Chapter of Illinois was named 2020 Premier Chapter: Building Communities on Wednesday, during the fourth general session of the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo, held virtually this year. The Streator FFA Chapter of Illinois was named 2020 Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture on Thursday.
The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Normal FFA used The Beauty in Reusing activity to educate FFA members about waste and recycling. After learning that each person in the U.S. creates about 3.5 pounds of trash per day that is sent to landfills, the members focused on repurposing materials. The members created 32 flower planters made from recycled materials to hand out in celebration of Mother’s Day.
After one of the chapter’s alumni had a semitruck stolen from their farm, Streator FFA members wanted to do something about the damage the stolen truck left in its wake. As a result, the members developed “Becoming Semi Aware.” This program taught members and driver’s education students about semis, from their size and power to how they could remain safe while working and driving them.
National FFA recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters that receive three-star ratings during judging are eligible to compete for the premier chapter awards. Ten FFA chapters competed in a virtual presentation for the honor.
John Deere sponsors the National Chapter Award program. The 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo is being held virtually, Oct. 27-29. The general sessions can be viewed live on RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel and FFA.org. For more information on the national convention, visit Convention.FFA.org.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
— National FFA Organization
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