For the second year in a row, Marietta FFA has been named a National 3-Star Chapter,
the highest level of recognition that an FFA chapter can receive. Roughly one percent of
all FFA chapters in the country are recognized as 3-Star Chapters – approximately 100
out of the 9,407 chapters across the U.S.
“This is a big, big deal for us,” said advisor Josh Bazor. “It was amazing when we were
recognized last year, but to be named two years in a row is just huge.”
An FFA 3-Star Chapter is a recognition awarded by the National FFA Organization to
FFA chapters that have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in growing leaders,
building communities, and strengthening agriculture through their programs and
activities.
It represents the highest possible rating in the National Chapter Award Program,
indicating superior achievement in student development, community engagement, and
agricultural education.
Being named a 3-Star Chapter begins with planning at the chapter’s summer retreat in
Broken Bow. Each officer chooses an activity, sets goals for the activity, and then plans
the activity to involve other chapter or community members.
“You have to have officer buy-in and participation, along with participation from the
whole chapter,” Bazor explained. “That’s what makes this hard to do. You can’t just
highlight one high-achieving kid – the whole chapter has to be on board.”
After activities are chosen and planned, the chapter writes a narrative that details the
process and finally an application is submitted. The application is judged based on the
equality of the activities, their impact on students and the community, and the type of
involvement the activities garner.
“It’s a painstakingly difficult and lengthy process,” said Bazor. “It’s hard to do, and for
me, one of the hardest parts is that the chapter has to toot its own horn, and that’s hard
for me to do. And you have to have good activities that involve your kids and your
community. We’re not talking about just having an ice cream social. You have to have
activities that benefit others.”
For example, one of the activities planned by the chapter is the Love County Kids
Extravaganza. At this activity, every primary and elementary student in the county
comes to the fairgrounds where they’re treated to educational exhibits, many of which
are hands on.
There are various wildlife and science projects that are interesting and so much fun
younger students don’t even realize they’re learning.
The chapter will be recognized on stage with the other 3-Star Chapters at the National
FFA convention in October.
“This is important to our chapter,” Bazor stated. “The appreciation is nice, and it’s a
feather in your cap. Our community and our county are good to recognize the quality of
our chapter but receiving that recognition on the state and national level is gratifying.
But even more than that, this recognition teaches our kids that hard work pays off.”