GRANTS, NM – The Grants FFA chapter in Grants, New Mexico, has earned the prestigious title of a 3-star rated program in the 2024 National Chapter Award Program, as announced by the National FFA Organization. This recognition highlights the chapter’s commitment to enhancing agricultural education and leadership development among its members.
The National Chapter Award Program celebrates outstanding FFA chapters across the United States that effectively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. By adhering to the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and focusing on growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture, these chapters are recognized for providing valuable educational experiences to their members. The Grants FFA chapter was one of only two chapters in New Mexico to achieve a 3-star rating, alongside Organ Mountain FFA of Las Cruces. This remarkable achievement comes during the chapter's first full year of operations after nearly 50 years of inactivity.
All star-rated FFA chapters were honored at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo from October 23-26, 2024. The awards are made possible through the support of corporate sponsors such as John Deere and New Holland. Mark Lowery, Director of Network Development at New Holland, expressed pride in recognizing exemplary FFA chapters, stating, “They are successfully enriching their communities and preparing FFA members to be the future leaders of our company and industry.”
In addition to this recognition, the Grants FFA chapter celebrates the success of a young member. Harry Lee III placed 3rd in the Plant Systems category in Division 1 of the 2024 National FFA Agriscience Fair. This prestigious competition took place at the National FFA Convention & Expo. Harry, the State Champion in the Plant Systems Division 1 Category of the New Mexico FFA State Agriscience Fair, made history as the first-ever state champion and national finalist for the Grants FFA chapter.
The National FFA Agriscience Fair is a crucial competition in Indianapolis for the annual National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 23-26, 2024. To qualify, FFA members working as individuals or teams in grades 712 must conduct a scientific research project on the agriculture industries and win their state’s FFA agriscience fair.
Individuals or teams compete in one of six categories – animal systems; environmental services/natural resource systems; food products and processing systems; plant systems; power, structural and technical systems; or social science – in six divisions – individuals in grades 7-8, teams grades 78, individuals grades 9-10, teams grades 9-10, individuals in grades 11-12, and teams grades 11-12.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.