California FFA Chapter Names as Top Chapter in FFA Chapter Challenge

Monsanto Company Territory Sales Manager Jody Foutch, left, presents California FFA President Meghan Halsey with the $1,500 FFA Chapter Challenge Award which the California FFA Chapter won at a FFA meeting held Tuesday, July 19.
Monsanto Company Territory Sales Manager Jody Foutch, left, presents California FFA President Meghan Halsey with the $1,500 FFA Chapter Challenge Award which the California FFA Chapter won at a FFA meeting held Tuesday, July 19.

California High School's FFA Chapter has been voted as a top chapter in Missouri by area farmers in the FFA Chapter Challenge pilot program, sponsored by Monsanto Company. FFA members in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Georgia and Alabama took this opportunity to make meaningful connections with area farmers, who then voted for their favorite FFA Chapter.

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Charles and Jeanne Tucker

"Monsanto is proud to be a partner with the National FFA and help these local chapters generate new and stronger relationships with their area farmers," Vice President of Monsanto Customer Advocacy John Raines said. "We would like to congratulate the California FFA on their accomplishment and for opening dialogue with the farming community which billions depend on everyday."

Eighty-two FFA chapters across Missouri were in the running for the FFA Chapter Challenge Grand Prize, which was made possible through National FFA and Monsanto. The chapter which received the most votes won a trip to this year's National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 19-22, for six students and one advisor. The trip is valued at $6,500.

The top 10 chapters in each state, including California's FFA Chapter, were awarded a $1,500 certificate of credit as first prize. The remaining 55 prizes were awarded to the overall top chapters, not to include those which ranked in the top 10 for their state. The second prize chapters received FFA merchandise gift certificates. These certificates of credit can be used with the national office for items such as blue jackets, convention fees and more.

To see a full list of 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge winners, please visit ffachapterchallenge.com.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50, Puerto Rico 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.