South Shelby FFA receives Top Chapter Award state winner

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COLUMBIA, Mo., April 23, 2025—The Missouri FFA Association awarded the South Shelby FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem and a Top Chapter Award. South Shelby placed first out of 365 chapters. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive a top chapter designation annually.

The National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. Chapters improve operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities emphasizing growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership. FCS Financial sponsors this award. The South Shelby FFA advisors are Kaytlyn Mefford and Mitch Schmidt.

The South Shelby FFA chapter organized several impactful community events, including the “Passion for Pigs Ham Hike” a 5K race where participants were rewarded with a ham at the finish line, promoting both fitness and local agriculture. They also hosted the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Meal,” a community gathering designed to raise funds for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors organization while fostering fellowship over a shared meal. Additionally, the chapter launched “Shelby County Herald: Let’s Talk Ag,” an initiative where first-year FFA members and chapter officers contribute articles to the local newspaper, sharing personal stories about how FFA has influenced their lives.

The top chapters in Missouri will compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. Winners will be announced this fall at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The Missouri FFA has 26,900 members representing 365 chapters. The national organization has more than 1,027,273 members representing 9,235 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The FFA makes 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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