National FFA Week is being recognized locally with a spotlight on FFA chapters across Logan and Champaign counties, celebrating student leadership, agricultural education, and community service.
The recognition is part of National FFA Week, observed nationwide by the National FFA Organization, which serves more than one million student members across the country.
Locally, coverage kicks off with the FFA chapter at Benjamin Logan High School, one of the largest chapters in the area.
The chapter currently has 85 members, making it a major presence in local agricultural education.
Members, Lauren Kennedy, Emily LeVan, Abigail Shafer, Lucy Wenger, and Wyatt Gordon, talk about why they chose FFA:
Since the Benjamin Logan School District consolidated in 1971, the chapter has produced 150 American Degree recipients, one of the highest honors in FFA, and this fall, they will add another name to the prestigious list.
This year, 10 members are on track to earn their State FFA Degrees.
The chapter is also seeing success in leadership and service.
Benjamin Logan has two gold-rated chapter officers, and member Lauren Kennedy ranked among the top four competitors statewide in the Service Learning category.
The chapter is advised by Lora James, who has served the district for more than 20 years and continues to guide students through leadership development and agricultural career preparation.
She talks about her chapter:
Many students in the BLFFA are also involved with music, sports, and other clubs.
According to the chapter, 47.7% of their members are employed, 56.8% are engaged in CDEs, and 52.8% show livestock at the fair.
FFA CDEs are Career Development Events, where students compete against others from around the state to test their skills, knowlege and teamwork in a specific field.
This year, BLFFA is doing the following CDEs:
- Dairy Cattle
- General Livestock
- Equine Management
- AG Sales
- Floricoulture
- Poultry
- Vet Science
- AG Power Diagnostics
- Public Speaking
- AG Mechanics
- Outdoor Power
National FFA Week serves as an opportunity to recognize the achievements of local students while promoting the importance of agriculture and career-focused education in rural communities.
Coverage of additional FFA chapters in Logan and Champaign counties will continue in the coming days.
