Missouri FFA News Releases

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2009 – Chillicothe FFA placed 12^th out of 317 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive the Top Chapter Award each year.

Chapter activity awards, sponsored by FCS Financial, are given to chapters achieving excellence in student, chapter and community development. Chillicothe advisors are Rusty Black, Keith Dietzschold, Jim Grozinger, Leda Schreiner, Brian Thompson, Matthew Trussell, Roger Wolf and Ron Wolf.

The Chillicothe FFA student development activities included participating in Relay for Life. Any member was able to come to the event and either walk or work the activity booth to help raise money and support those suffering from cancer. All chapter members were recognized for their leadership and outstanding achievements at the annual chapter awards banquet. Approximately $15,000 in scholarships and awards were presented. Every member present introduced themselves to the over 400 people in attendance.

Chapter development activities are designed to promote excellence within the chapter. Chapter members also worked closely with the FFA Alumni to maintain the Litton Agricultural-Science Learning Center, host two jackpot swine shows and help out with the Livingston County Fair.

Chillicothe’s community development volunteered to cultivate a yard for the Habitat for Humanity house recipients. The intermediate agricultural science class spent a week picking up rocks, tilling, seeding, fertilizing, mulching, rolling and watering the yard. Also, each year, Chillicothe’s chapter along with Family Career & Community Leaders of America and the Community Blood Drive Center of St. Joseph, Mo., conduct two blood drives in February. Chapter members registered donors and encouraged people within their schools and community to donate blood.

The top chapters are submitted to the National FFA Organization where they compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. The competition will be this fall at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has over 507,000 members representing 7,439 local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

The FFA Mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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