California FFA receives Top Chapter Award

CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 15, 2026—The Missouri FFA Association awarded the California FFA Chapter a Gold Emblem and a Top Chapter Award. California placed seventh out of 369 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 California FFA advisors are Adam Bieri, Dale Hodges, Gary Morris, and Gary Reichel.

The California FFA hosted events including; Once Upon a Time in Kindergarten, where members read agriculture-themed books to elementary students to promote literacy and agricultural awareness; Operation G.A.V.E., where members hosted a breakfast honoring over 50 local veterans; Ag Ed on the Move, where members taught 98 third-grade students about agriculture through hands-on lessons; and Cultivating Curiosity: Youth Farm Day, where over 300 elementary students participated in interactive agricultural learning stations.

The top chapters in Missouri will compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. Winners will be announced this fall at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The Missouri FFA has 27,000 members representing 369 chapters. The national organization has more than 1,042,245 members representing 9,407 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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