by Geoffrey Miller

When it comes to connecting with local farmers, no other FFA group does it better than the Lawrence County FFA Chapter from Moulton, Ala. With 856 total entries, the chapter received the overall grand prize in the 2012 FFA Chapter Challenge.

As grand prize winner, the Lawrence County Chapter will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for six students and one advisor to the 85th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in October. The chapter also wins a $2,500 FFA Certificate of Credit to be used for FFA-related costs including chapter supplies and registration fees.

The Chapter Challenge encouraged FFA members to learn about different types of agriculture by visiting farms and building relationships with local farmers. Those farmers then selected the winners by voting for their favorite chapter, either online or by phone. More than 10,000 votes were cast between January 16 and February 29. The Lawrence County FFA Chapter received 1,110 votes.

In its second year, the FFA Chapter Challenge spanned 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

The Top 10 Chapters from each state also received FFA Certificates of Credit for varying amounts. Alabama’s Top 10 were Danville, Falkville, Guntersville, Lincoln, Springville, Sulligent, Albertville, Ariton, Springville and George W. Long FFAs.

The National FFA Foundation is the fundraising arm of the National FFA Organization, which provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades 7-12 who belong to one of the 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Monsanto, a seed and crop protection company, sponsored the challenge.

Geoffrey Miller is Communications Specialist at National FFA Organization.