These activities highlight FFA members' musical and artistic abilities, providing opportunities for them to perform and showcase their skills at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference and the National FFA Convention and Expo.
Local Participants in Iowa FFA Band:
1959 - Parkersburg, Jim Hosch
1963 - Aplington, Duane Harms
1964 - Aplington, Duane Harms
1966 - Parkersburg, Wayne Arends
1968 - Aplington DeWayne Behrends
1973 - Aplington, Wesley Huisinga
1982 - Aplington, Alan Reiter
1982 - Parkersburg, Bruce Mattingly
1983 - Parkersburg, Bruce Mattingly
1984 - Aplington, Mike Schipper
1987 - Parkersburg, Tim Schnell
2017 - Carly Troyna
2018 - Alivia Lawton
2018 - Carly Troyna
2019 - Alivia Lawton
2022 - Cora Berends
2022 - Madison Morris
2023 - Avery Freund
2023 - Madison Morris
Iowa Participants in National Band:
1983 - Aplington, Alan Reiter
1984 - Aplington, Mike Schipper
2013 - Michael Howard
Local Participants in Iowa FFA Chorus:
1963 - Aplington, Kenneth Schipper
1963 - Aplington, Kenneth Schipper
1968 - Aplington, Darrow Uhlenhopp
1973 - Aplington, Terry Ridder
1976 - Parkersburg, Allen Eilderts
1981 - Parkersburg, Brett Meeker
1982 - Parkersburg, Brett Meeker
1986 - Parkersburg, Chad Nieuwsma
1987 - Parkersburg, Mike Mulder
1989 - Aplington, Jeff Mohwinkle
2012 - Jon Mohwinkle
2017 - Molly Benning
2017 - Brandon Cooley
2017 - Collin Johnson
2017 - Molly Benning
2017 - Collin Johnson
2017 - Diana Mulder
2022 - Bella Sessler
2023 - Bella Sessler
2023 - Maleah Wessels
Iowa Participants in National Chorus:
1950 - Parkersburg, Charles Christians
1977 - Parkersburg, Don Dreesman
1981 - Parkersburg, Brett Meeker
1982 - Parkersburg, Brett Meeker
1988 - Aplington, Jeff Mohwinkle
1989 - Aplington, Jason Hosch
1989 - Parkersburg, Tim Schnell
1995 - Aplington, Member Unknown
These activities highlight FFA members' and advisors involvement in specialty programs that assist in helping the convention operate. This involvement serves as a dual purpose means of recognizing students while also building their leadership skills during the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference.
Iowa FFA Association Foundation Representatives:
1987 - 1988 - Clyde Johnson, Aplington
Members who served on adminstrative committee's that organize the work on the Iowa FFA Association.
1970 - Parkersburg, Don Dreesman. Program of Activities Committee Member.
The FFA Courtesy Corps is a group of FFA members who volunteer to assist with the smooth operation of FFA events, particularly state conventions. They help with various tasks like directing attendees, assisting with contests and sessions, and ensuring events run efficiently and professionally.
Iowa Participants in Courtesy Corps at Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference:
2022 - Justin Bill, Tommy Janssen, Wyatt Junker, Nile Petersen, Eli Schipper, Emilee Swieter
2023 - Toby Arkulari, Justin Bill, Tommy Janssen, Henry Reints, Kellen Reints, Eli Schipper
2024 - Toby Arkulari, Sophie Berends, Ella Buttjer, Avery Freund, Rowdy Groen, Emma Haan, Sam Janssen, Emery Luhring, Aiden Merrill, Ellie Reints, Lila Reints, Sierra Sessler, Layla Wessels, Maleah Wessels, Aubrey Williamson
2025 - Sophie Berends, Ella Buttjer, Maison Copp, Avery Freund, Rowdy Groen, Caylee Harken, Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Aiden Merrill, Ellie Reints, Kellen Reints, Lila Reints, Sierra Sessler, Layla Wessels, Maleah Wessels, Aubrey Williamson
The Distinguished Service Award honors organizations, agencies, businesses or other groups who have made outstanding contributions to FFA and agricultural education on a state and national level.
1983 - Clifford McGee (Aplington)
1990 - Bill Jungling (Parkersburg)
In Iowa FFA, the "Massing of the Flags" is a ceremony where flag bearers from various FFA chapters participate in a procession during the state convention. This event typically occurs during the Third General Pre-Session on the first day of the convention. The ceremony involves the entrance of the chapter flags into the convention hall, symbolizing unity and the collective presence of FFA members from across the state.
1989 - Aplington, Darren Jackson
1996 - Ivan Harken
2022 - Toby Arkulari
2023 - Ella Luebbers
2024 - Lila Reints
2025 - Amy Mulder
The Iowa FFA State Officer Nominating Committee consists of twelve members, two from each of the six Iowa FFA districts. These members are selected to interview candidates and create the ballot for the State FFA Officer elections. They play a crucial role in the selection process of the next year's State FFA Officers.
2024 - Cora Berends
In the Iowa FFA Association, chapters send two delegates to the State Leadership Conference's Business Session. These delegates are crucial to the organization's democratic process.
1959 - Merle Schrage, Lee Schwerdtfeger (Parkersburg)
1962 - Marvin Aalderks, Dennis Geiken (Aplington)
1963 - Dale Janssen, Dennis Schipper (Aplington)
1966 - Craig Hemmen, Gaylen Timmer (Parkersburg)
1968 - Kim Dix, David Willis (Aplington)
1979 - Alan Meyer, LaVern Wolff (Aplington)
1982 - Ryan Ubben, Rick Uhlenhopp (Aplington) (Uhlenhopp served on Chapter Safety Committee)
1984 - Jill Mattingly, Peggy Schroeder (Parkersburg)
1986 - Glenn Patterson, Darcy Rasmussen (Parkersburg)
1987 - Darcy Rasmussen, Paul Watters (Parkersburg)
1996 - Ben Cutler, Andy Everts
2020 - Rachel Cline, Elena Mulder, Britney Gibson
2021 - Abby Berends, Adi Williamson
2022 - Abby Berends, Adi Williamson
2023 - Hannah Buttjer, Colton Harken
2024 - Madison Morris, Kellen Reints
2025 - Colton Harken, Kellen Reints
FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs) are activities that help students develop essential leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through competitive and practical experiences in agriculture. Some events allow students to compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete in teams. These events focus on areas like public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and agricultural knowledge. These are designed to build confidence, critical thinking, decision-making abilities, and employability through performing effectively in a competitive job market.
This event is intended to foster an understanding and create an interest in the field of broadcast journalism.
1992 - Jason Willis (Aplington), Rating Unknown
2012 - Member and Rating Unknown
2017 - Hunter Saul, Silver
2018 - Collin Johnson, Silver
2023 - Hannah Bill, Bronze
The purpose of this event is to prepare FFA members in developing skills and techniques important toward becoming successful salespersons of agricultural products.
1989 - Aplington, Jeff Mohwinkle, Silver
A Chapter Exhibit Contest first started in 1932-1933 as an FFA Scrapbook event, and the following year as a Chapter Records Contest providing an opportunity for chapters to exhibit their minutes, treasurers' accounts, annual program plans, clippings, and other material. Starting in 1947-1948 this contest was known as the Chapter Activity Contest which provided an opportunity for chapters to display information on one chapter project or activity in their annual program of activities. Beginning in 1995-1996 this activity became known as the Chapter Activity Exhibit Career Development Event.
1970 - Gold Rating, Parkersburg (Harvey Ulfers)
1986 - Gold Rating, Aplington (Shannon Haupt, Sally Johnson)
1987 - Silver Rating, Parkersburg (Jeff Brouwer, Bruce DeVries)
2013 - State Champions (Contributors unknown)
2015 - State Champions (Rubanna Cutshall)
2017 - Gold Rating (Contributors unknown)
2018 - Gold Rating (Contributors unknown)
2021 - State Champions (MaKenna Brouwer, Britney Gibson, Morgan Koenen, Elena Mulder)
2022 - Gold Rating (Wyatt Junker, Elena Mulder, Cora Berends, Bella Sessler)
2025 - Silver Rating (Sophie Berends, Maison Copp, Avery Freund, Rowdy Groen, Colton Harken, Sam Janssen)
This event is designed to emphasize group activity and accomplishments, and to recognize cooperative undertakings and leadership, growing out of an organized program in schools and communities. Its importance is indicated by the fact that the event is based on the chapter program and achievements for the event year beginning January 1st and running through December 31st of the previous year and involves the entire chapter membership. The target audience for this LDE is a formal, professional adult audience. For example: school board meeting, Farm Bureau meeting, etc.
2018 - Bryce Campbell, Rachel Cline, Diana Mulder, (Rating Unknown)
2021 - Missy Aswegan, Haley Homeister, Elena Mulder (Silver)
This event is intended to develop the skills of young members in properly conducting an FFA meeting. Participants must be FFA members in grades 7-10. This event aids the development of leadership abilities of young members for present and future chapter activities.
1980 - Aplington (Gold Rating)
1981 - Aplington (Rating Unkown) Scott Etjes, Rick Uhlenhopp, Dennis Groeneveld, Lance Uhlenhopp, Doug Dohrman, Ryan Ubben, Donovan Ubben
2021 - (Bronze) Cora Berends, Hannah Bill, Justin Bill, Serena Hunter, Tommy Janssen, Wyatt Junker, Kendall Riherd
2025 - (Silver) Lincoln Ammons, Anna Aswegen, Carson Brouwer, Kamie Helmke, Graeden Janssen, Amy Mulder, Lilly Stirling
This event is designed to develop leadership and the ability to appear before groups by students in grades 7-9, as they become members of the FFA. Emphasis will be placed upon knowledge of the FFA Creed as adopted at the 3rd National FFA Convention and revised at the 38th and 63rd National FFA Conventions. This event also supplements the public speaking event in developing leadership.
2015 - Jacob Abbas, Silver
2017 - Diana Mulder, Gold Rating (2nd Place)
The Extemporaneous Speaking Contest started in 1937-38. This event is designed to encourage the development of FFA members in the ability to speak, to think and to answer questions readily before an audience. In 1995-96 this event was named the Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event. This event is designed to encourage the development of FFA members in the ability to speak, to think and to answer questions readily before an audience.
1971 - Parkersburg, Harvey Ulfers
2024 - Colton Harken (Silver)
2025 - Emma Haan (Silver)
This event was established to provide FFA members an opportunity to demonstrate their ability in completing a job application form, writing a letter of application, preparing a resume, interviewing properly, answering questions clearly, and presenting the proper impression.
2018 - Westin Hansen, Rating Unknown
2023 - Adi Williamson, Gold (5th Place)
The Iowa FFA Chapter Quiz is an exam testing upperclassman members' knowledge of the FFA organization, including its history, facts, and parliamentary procedure. The contest is designed to enhance personal growth and premier leadership skills in those that are sophomores to seniors. The quiz consists of 100 multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
2025 - Layla Wessels (Gold)
The Iowa FFA Greenhand Quiz is an exam testing new FFA members' (Greenhand's) knowledge of the FFA organization and its history, structure, and opportunities. It specifically focuses on the content found in the Official FFA Manual, the FFA Student Handbook, and the Iowa FFA website. The quiz consists of 100 multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
2017 - Kobe Riherd (Silver), Jersey Rostek (Bronze)
2018 - Missy Aswegen (Bronze), Elizabeth Moore (Silver)
2022 - Avery Freund (Silver), Colton Harken (Silver)
2023 - Ellie Reints (Gold), Lizzy Rewerts (Silver)
2024 -
2025 - Graeden Janssen (Gold), Caylee Harken (Bronze)
This event is designed to develop rural and agricultural leadership, to provide for member participation in agricultural public speaking activities and to stimulate interest along such lines.
2017 - Westin Hansen, Silver Rating
2019 - Diana Mulder, Gold Rating (2nd Place)
2020 - MaKenna Brouwer, Advanced to State (COVID Cancellation)
2021 - Hannah Buttjer, Silver Rating
2022 - Elena Mulder, Gold Rating (5th Place)
2023 - Madison Morris, Gold Rating (4th Place)
This event is designed to stimulate the keeping of complete and accurate records of the chapter’s activities. An opportunity is provided members and others to observe the record books maintained by chapter secretaries.
1986 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Member Unknown)
1987 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Member Unknown)
1988 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Shannon Haupt)
1990 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Jeremy Mulder)
1991 - Aplington Gold Rating (Brent Johnson)
This event is designed to stimulate the keeping of complete and accurate records of chapter’s finances. Members and others may observe the record books maintained by chapter treasurers.
1987 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Member Unknown)
1988 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Wade Harken)
1989 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Jeff Mohwinkle)
1990 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Grant Kampman)
1991 - Aplington, Gold Rating (Shane Schipper)
Through Career Development Events, participating FFA members in grades 7 to 12 are challenged to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. CDE's focus in on "hard skills" and technical knowledge that exist in the current job market and are expected of industry professionals. Some of these contests include Ag Biotechnology, Ag Mechanics, Ag Sales, Food Science, Livestock Evaluation, Soils Evaluation, and even Vet Science.
1986 - World Pork Expo, Champion Team - Parkersburg FFA (Bruce DeVries, Mike Mulder, Darcy Rasmussen, Paul Watters)
1988 - National Barrow Show, Champion Team - South Butler FFA (Chad Oldenburger, Travis Williamson, ..., ...)
2020 - Benton County Classic, Reserve Champion Team (Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen, Wyatt Mitchell, Adi Williamson)
2021 - National Barrow Show, Champion Team (Hannah Bill, Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen, Adi Williamson)
2022 - National Barrow Show, Champion Team (Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Tommy Janssen, Adi Williamson)
2022 - Winterset FFA Blue & Gold Boosters, Champion Team (Hannah Bill, Avery Freund, Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen)
2023 - North Central District Livestock Judging, Champion Team (Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Tommy Janssen)
2023 - Iowa FFA State Livestock, 3rd Overall Team (Rowdy Groen, Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2023 - National Barrow Show, Champion Team (Rowdy Groen, Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2023 - Kansas City American Royal, 7th Overall Team (Rowdy Groen, Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2024 - North Central District Livestock Judging, Champion Team (Colton Harken, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2024 - Iowa FFA State Livestock Judging, Reserve Champion Team (Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2024 - National Barrow Show, Reserve Champions (Emma Haan, Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2024 - World Beef Expo, 6th Overall Team (Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2025 - Denver National Western RoundUp, 6th Overall Team (Colton Harken, Sam Janssen, Tommy Janssen, Kellen Reints)
2025 - North Central District Livestock Judging, Champion Team (Graeden Janssen, Sam Janssen, Owen Price, Layla Wessels)
The Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) is an FFA program focused on developing leadership skills, citizenship, and service among its participants. Held in Washington, D.C., it offers FFA members a week of training, experiential learning, and exposure to advocacy in action. Participants also engage with the history and culture of the nation's capital through visits to monuments, museums, and other landmarks.
1982 - Parkersburg, Bruce Mattingly
1982 - Parkersburg, Brett Meeker
2023 - Cora Berends
The FFA Next Gen Conferences are career-focused events designed to introduce FFA members to various career opportunities within the agricultural industry. These conferences provide students with a "roadmap for their future" by exploring specific career pathways and developing employability skills.
Members are chosen as 1 of 75 in the country out of hundreds of applicants to experience a Career Pathway conference that is tailored towards highlighting careers and educational goals of the conference theme.
2024 - Cora Berends (Agricultural Communications) Dallas, TX
2024 - Sophie Berends (Environmental Sciences) Salt Lake City, UT
2025 - Sophie Berends (Agricultural Education) Philadelphia, PA
2025 - Maison Copp (Agricultural Education) Philadelphia, PA
The National FFA Organization's Work Experience Abroad (WEA) program is a foreign exchange program that allows FFA members to live and work on agricultural operations in other countries. It provides opportunities for members to experience different cultures, farming practices, and global agriculture. Participants typically stay for 3-12 months with hosting families from more than 30 countries globally.
1982 - Keith Vry, France (3 months)
Local FFA chapters can participate in foreign exchange programs, both inbound and outbound, to foster cultural exchange and agricultural learning. These programs can involve students from other countries staying with host families in the US or FFA members traveling abroad to experience different agricultural practices.
1978 - Parkersburg, Hanneli Botes (South Africa)
1988 - Aplington, Tako Sato (Japan)
The awards listed below are representative of former programming that highlighted the chapters POA. After 1995, the National Chapter Award Programs were revised to emphasize three key areas known as Models of Innovation: Student Development, Chapter Development, and Community Development.
In 2017, a change was made once again that designated three divisions to reflect chapter identity. These divisions are known as Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture. These three divisions have five standards that a chapter plans their activities around in order to successfully fulfill the National FFA's mission statement.
In 1929 the FFA launched a national chapter contest. The national Chapter Award Program was based on the FFA Chapters’ Program of Activities (POA) and chapters received gold, silver, or bronze ratings. The POA might include up to 12 sections. In 1996 the National Chapter Awards program was revised to focus on three areas that were labeled Models of Innovation. The three areas were Student Development, Chapter Development, and Community Development.
The FFA National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that actively implement the organization's mission and strategies. It acknowledges chapters for their Program of Activities (POA) and the impact they have on members, their school, and the community. The program has evolved to include recognition for chapters at the national level, with categories like "Model of Excellence" and "Premier Chapter".
1986 - Aplington (Gold Rating)
1987 - Aplington (Gold Rating)
1988 - Aplington (Gold Rating)
1989 - Aplington (Gold Rating)
1996 - Aplington-Parkersburg (Superior Rating)
The National FFA "Chapter Safety Award" program was established in 1950 to encourage chapters to focus on improving farm safety in their communities. Chapters participating in the program reported on their activities to enhance farm safety in their communities. These efforts might have included safety demonstrations, workshops, or community outreach programs to educate individuals on potential hazards and preventive measures. This evolution of the awards program reflects the FFA's ongoing commitment to developing well-rounded leaders and fostering positive change within agricultural communities, including through promoting safety practices.
1981 - Parkersburg, Rick Brouwer, Mike Paup, Keith Vry. Accepted by Irvin Haan, Jeff Simkins (Superior Rating at State, Silver Rating at Nationals)
1982 - Parkersburg, Terry DeGroote and Danny Walitshek (Superior Rating at State, Gold Rating at Nationals)
1990 - Aplington (Superior Rating at State, Bronze Rating at Nationals)
The Building Our American Communities program began in 1971 and recognizes FFA Chapters for their community development activities. Awards are presented at local, area, state and national levels for activities, including preserving community histroy, organizing local farmers markets, building feed testing facilities and other improvbement projects. The program was sponsored by the Farm and Industrial Equipment Instituite and Dow Chemical USA as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
1985 - Aplington (State Gold, National Bronze Rating)
The Triple Crown award is an all encompassing award that started in 1981. Known as a "cream of the crop" honor, it designated that a chapter was superior in three program areas being 1) Building Our American Communities 2) National Chapter Safety 3) National Chapter Award.
The distinction of "Triple Crown" is given to a FFA chapter that performs the best in all three program areas and are models to which other programs can aspire to. These chapters are those who actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization in the three divisions. The program ended as became known as the "National Chapter Award" in 2017 when the Program of Activities (POA) moved from 12 standards to 15 and reorganized into three divisions of the POA. These three divisions are now known as Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture.
1988 - Aplington
1988 - Parkersburg
1989 - Aplington
1989 - Parkersburg
The following awards are those that relate to Supervised Agricultural Experiences, their record-keeping, and award programming.
The Ferris George Rising Star Award is presented in memory of Ferris George, a charter member of the National FFA Organization, a member of the United (currently Boone A&M) FFA Alumni in Iowa, and supporter of agriculture. The purpose of the award is to recognize FFA members who during their freshmen year exhibited outstanding leadership.
2018 - Diana Mulder (NC District Recipient, State Stage Finalist)
The Iowa FFA State Proficiency Award recognizes FFA members who have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs, showcasing their skills and knowledge in specific agricultural areas. These awards are presented at the local, district, and state levels, with state winners advancing to national competition.
1971 - Aplington - Home and/or Community Development - Entrepreneurship/Placement - DeWayne Berends (State Champion)
1984 - Aplington - Beef Production, Entrepreneurship - Lynn Johnson (State Champion)
1984 - Turf and Landscape Management - Entrepreneurship/Placement - Duane J. Groeneveld (State Champion) (Central Region Bronze)
1986 - Aplington - Diversified Livestock Production, Entrepreneurship - Lynn Johnson (State Champion)
The following are various awards received by our chapter that are no longer programs led by the state association or national organization. They still however, are celebrated with significance and must not be forgotten!
The Computers in Agriculture Contest was started in 1983-84. The purpose of this award was to recognize FFA members who made great progress in utilizing computers in agriculture and agribusiness.
1989 - Aplington, Todd Kalkwarf
1989 - Parkersburg, Tim Schnell
The Journalism Chapter Award began in 1979-80. This award recognizes chapters that have outstanding articles that were written by the chapter reporter reflecting the members' participation and published in the local paper.
1987 - Parkersburg
1989 - Parkersburg
1996 - Parkersburg
1997 - Parkersburg
1999 - Parkersburg
The Public Relations Chapter Award began in 1979-80. This award recognizes chapters that have an outstanding rural and urban relations program mainly in (1) the areas of "Food For America" and (2) the use of media to tell rural America's story to our friends and neighbors in urban areas.
1987 - Parkersburg
1989 - Parkersburg
2000 - Parkersburg