| Contact: | April 15-18, 2009 Joyce Cutright at 573-882-0866 After April 18 at 417-887-9844 |
| Email: moffaconv@missouri.edu | |
| Web: http://agebb.missouri.edu/news/moffaconv/ | |
EL DORADO SPRINGS FFA WINS TOP CHAPTER AWARD
COLUMBIA, Mo., April 16, 2009 – El Dorado Springs FFA placed 16th out of 317 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the 81st 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. The El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter advisors are Stan Adler and Richard Purdom.
The El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter encouraged members to develop personal skills by participating in activities that enhanced life skills. The El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter sent 56 members to attend an interactive seminar conducted by state officers. Members participated in hands on instruction in communication, decision-making and interpersonal skills. Members participated in a hunting and outdoor safety program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation. First year members were encouraged to improve their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) by participating in tours of older member’s SAE projects.
Chapter development activities are designed to promote excellence within the chapter. The El Dorado Springs FFA Chapter hosted an FFA social where members gained an awareness of opportunities, activities and leadership skills available through FFA. Members participated in a mum sale to gain marketing experience, selling 1,400 mums and earning a total of $8,400. Members also prepared and served a business luncheon in appreciation of community leaders.
El Dorado Springs prides itself on community development by working with local groups and organizations. Members partnered with the local fair board to sponsor a Missouri state tractor pulling association event, an antique tractor pull and a livestock jackpot show. The jackpot show generated over $16,000 that was used to upgrade the local fair grounds. FFA members worked with the local council of churches to distribute baskets of donated food and gifts. Members also informed a diverse population of community members through a Food for America program.
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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CAA-16-ElDoradoSprings-ker
205 Jefferson St
PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480
Phone: 573-751-3544