Tea Area FFA Chapter recognized among State’s Best with National Chapter Award

The Tea Area FFA chapter returned from the 97th South Dakota State FFA Convention with high honors, earning recognition as a Superior FFA Chapter and placing seventh overall in the prestigious National Chapter Award program.

The National Chapter Award is the highest honor a chapter can receive, recognizing those that actively implement the mission and strategies of the FFA. To qualify, chapters must demonstrate excellence in 15 activities across three key divisions: Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture. Each activity must meet quality standards set forth in the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards.

Tea Area FFA stood out with the following accomplishments: 

• 3rd place in Strengthening Agriculture

• 4th place in Building Communities

• Superior FFA Chapter designation

A total of 23 Tea Area FFA members earned awards at state level in Brookings this past weekend, showcasing their skills and dedication in a variety of competitions. Additional highlights include:

Parker Wilson – 5th Place in Agriculture Mechanics

Maddie Dragt – 16th Place in Livestock Judging

Four members earned their State FFA Degree, the highest honor a state FFA association can bestow upon a member. Those members included Colton Duffy, Remington Jacobson, Megan Ritnour, and Parker Wilson.  In order to achieve the award, members must meet the following requirements; have received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000, or worked 600 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, given a six-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement. 

Pictured above (top): The Tea Area FFA Chapter earned third place in the National Chapter Strengthening Ag category. 

Photo by Wendy Sweeter

Pictured directly above:  State FFA Degree winners: Megan Ritnour, Remington Jacobson, Parker Wilson and Colton Duffy