Adair County FFA has been recognized among the best FFA chapters in the nation after earning a three-star rating in the National FFA Organization’s chapter rating contest, the highest rating possible.
The recognition places Adair County FFA in the top 4% of the nation’s 9,591 FFA chapters. Only 10 chapters in Kentucky earned the three-star rating at the national level.
The chapter’s achievement began at the state level, where Adair County FFA earned a gold rating and was selected as one of the top 19 chapters in Kentucky to advance to the national rating process. Kentucky has more than 200 FFA chapters.
This was the first year Adair County FFA had applied for the state level chapter rating.
The chapter rating contest requires FFA chapters to complete at least 15 activities, one from each of the five quality standards in three divisions. The activities are then evaluated based on their impact on the chapter, school and community.
Adair County FFA advisors chose activities that highlight what makes the chapter and community unique.
“I tried to pick things that not everybody does,” said Gabby Barnes, one of the chapter’s advisers.
The Adair County chapter averages around 175 students. Barnes said she wants students to have the opportunity to experience the same impact FFA had on her while growing up.
“We do some cool stuff here, and I like for kids to be a part of it. I know how much FFA made a difference in my life growing up,” said Barnes.
Barnes, Brittany Smith and Robin Hancock serve as advisers for Adair County FFA.
The three advisers said the chapter’s success is also a reflection of the community support behind its members and activities.
“When you are talking about being in the top 4 percent in the nation, it takes a village,” Barnes said. “We are blessed to have people in the community volunteer to come in and help.”
The chapter’s application included activities that required planning and work from FFA members, parents and community supporters. It showed how Adair County stands out from others with many community partners who support the chapter in various ways, including those who have served as judges or guest speakers, allowed members to use their farms for practice or supported the chapter, by attending meals and events.
The annual chapter rating contest evaluates the quality and impact of a chapter’s activities throughout the year. The 15 selected activities represent only a portion of what Adair County FFA does throughout the school year.
“It is an honor to be recognized at such a high level, but it would not be possible without fantastic FFA members and a supportive community,” Barnes said.
The recognition represents more than success in individual FFA contests. It represents the quality of the program.
“This is not about the contests you win or the speeches you give, this is about the quality of work that you do,” said Barnes. “The application process was long, and it was definitely a team effort, but it was worth it.”
Adair County FFA’s three-star rating places the chapter among the nation’s top FFA programs and recognizes the work of its students, advisers and community supporters throughout the year.
