An FFA Chapter is only as successful as the people and community that support it. We are very lucky to live in an area that cares a lot about its young people and wants to see us succeed. This award is given to a person, group, business, organization, or entity that has made a tremendous effort towards improving our FFA Chapter. The following are the recipients of the Chapter Honorary FFA Degree:
1955 D.C. Kooppel (Aplington FFA)
1958 Bruce McGuigg (Aplington FFA)
1960 James R. Poulter, Superintendant (Aplington FFA)
1960 Ted Runyan, Principal (Aplington FFA)
1960 Carl Brouwer, Parent (Parkersburg FFA)
1961 Mr. David Schipper (Aplington FFA)
1963 Aplington Presbyterian Church (Aplington FFA)
1963 Mr. McKee (Aplington FFA)
1963 Mr. Williams (Aplington FFA)
1964 Wendell Abkes, Former Member/Local Businessman (Parkersburg FFA)
1965 Henry Jungling Sr., Local Dairy Farmer and Parent (Aplington FFA)
1965 Mrs. Virginia Perry (Aplington FFA)
1967 Henry Bohlen (Parkersburg FFA)
1967 Carl Fresenberg (Parkersburg FFA)
1970 Marlyn DeBoer, CASE-IH Salesman (Aplington FFA)
1970 Dennis Hippen, Salebarn Owner (Aplington FFA)
1970 Mr. Nielson (Parkersburg FFA)
1970 Mr. Saul (Parkersburg FFA)
1971 Roland Mehman, Feed Dealer (Aplington FFA)
1971 Fred Schipper (Aplington FFA)
1973 Clifford McKee, Superintendent (Aplington FFA)
1974 Ronald Foelske, Principal (Aplington FFA)
1974 Daryl Becker (Parkersburg FFA)
1974 George Ehmen (Parkersburg FFA)
1975 Lyle Uhlenhopp, Feeder Hog Buyer (Aplington FFA)
1976 Dave Longnecker, Implement Dealer (Aplington FFA)
1977 Henry Jungling Sr., Local Agribusiness (Aplington FFA)
1977 Harold Schrage (Parkersburg FFA)
1978 Henry Johnson, Farmer (Aplington FFA)
1978 Lester Johnson, Farmer (Aplington FFA)
1978 Dave Altman, Local Advisor (Parkersburg FFA)
1979 Wayne Diekman, Grocery Store Owner (Aplington FFA)
1979 Dave and Dennis Aswegen (Parkersburg FFA)
1980 Elwin Finger, Farmer (Aplington FFA)
1981 Gary Sherburne, Hog Buyer (Aplington FFA
1981 Donald Groeneveld, Farmer (Aplington FFA)
1982 Rick Klahsen, American FFA Degree (Aplington FFA)
1983 Merle Uhlenhopp, Custodian (Aplington FFA)
1983 Katherine Elliot, School Cook (Aplington FFA)
1983 Dennis Hippen, ... (Parkersburg FFA)
1984 Mary Sullivan, English Teacher (Aplington FFA)
1984 Arnold Flater (Parkersburg FFA)
1984 Paul Hackbarth, Retiring Ag Advisor (Parkersburg FFA)
1985 Darwin Miller, Ag Sciences Teacher (Aplington FFA)
1985 Calvin Stahl, Trucking/Lime (Aplington FFA)
1986 Clyde Johnson, Ag Sciences Teacher (Aplington FFA)
1986 Ron Hook Family (Parkersburg FFA)
1986 Willie VanderHolt (Parkersburg FFA)
1987 Dennis Johnson, Farmer (Aplington FFA)
1987 Roger Baker, Dairy Farmer (Parkersburg FFA)
1987 Bill Jungling, Local Elevator Owner (Parkersburg FFA)
1988 Kenny Mehmen, Custodian (Aplington FFA)
1988 Dennis White, Principal (Aplington FFA)
1989 Duane Nevenhoven, Business Teacher (Aplington FFA)
1989 Mr. Daryl Meyers (Parkersburg FFA)
1989 Mrs. Millie Saul (Parkersburg FFA)
1989 Mr. Andy Schipper (Parkersburg FFA)
1990 Darwin Kampman (Aplington FFA)
1992 Rod Wessels (Aplington FFA)
2013 MidWestOne Bank (Parkersburg)
2013 Sinclair Elevator (Sinclair)
2014 Melinda (Sue) Muller, School Board Secretary/Business Manager (Aplington)
2014 Travis Williamson, Agribusinessman Bayer Crop Sciences (Parkersburg)
2015 Aaron Thomas, Principal (Parkersburg)
2016 Darla Choate, School Board Secretary/Business Manager (Parkersburg)
2017 Butler Co. Pork Promoters (Allison)
2018 Flint Hills (Shell Rock)
2019 A-P H.S. Kitchen Staff (Parkersburg)
2020 Brothers Market (Parkersburg)
2021 Bernie Poppens, Embroidery Services (Aplington)
2022 Vern Miller, Broiler Harvest Expertise (Geneva)
2022 Shirley Peckosh, Greenhouse Expertise (Robins)
2023 Kelly Eilderts, Technology Director (Aplington)
2023 Barry Scott, Industrial Arts Instructor (Eldora)
2024 Derek Harken, Transportation Director/Alumni Treasuer (Aplington)
2024 Sara Janssen, Teacher/Alumni Secretary (Wellsburg)
2025 The Late Mitchell Dralle, Custodian (Allison/Parkersburg)
2025 Brian Meester, Custodian (Parkersburg)
2025 Jeff Mohwinkle, Farmer/Alumni President (Austinville)
Only persons who have made a distinct contribution to the promotion and development of the National FFA Organization are eligible for election to membership with the Honorary American FFA Degree.
1991 Clyde Johnson (Aplington)
Only persons who have made a distinct contribution to the promotion and development of the Iowa FFA Association are eligible for election to membership with the Honorary Iowa Farmer/FFA Degree.
1972 Harvey Ulfers Sr. (Parkersburg)
1991 Clyde Johnson (Aplington)
Chapter Appreciation Awards are given to individuals, businesses, organizations, or entities that have supported the FFA chapter heavily during one calendar year in particular. They are groups that deserve recognition for their efforts in making agricultural education and FFA thrive in the local community.
1974 AmVets, Ernie Brinkman (Aplington FFA)
1974 Aplington Elevator, Fred Schipper (Aplington FFA)
1974 Butler-Grundy Farm Services, Cliff Janssen (Aplington FFA)
1974 O's Gold, Bill Oldenburger (Aplington FFA)
1976 Al Christians (Aplington FFA)
1976 Dave Dickes (Aplington FFA)
1976 Henry Johnson (Aplington FFA)
1976 Lester Johnson (Aplington FFA)
1976 Henry Junglign Jr. (Aplington FFA)
1976 Virgil Klahsen (Aplington FFA)
1976 Dean Nueberger (Aplington FFA)
1976 Eldon Uhlenhopp (Aplington FFA)
1976 Fed Winterberg (Aplington FFA)
1977 Ervin Diekman (Aplington FFA)
1977 Wayne Diekman (Aplington FFA)
1977 LeRoy Lupkes (Aplington FFA)
1977 Robert Schipper (Aplington FFA)
1978 Robert Conway, Principal (Parkersburg FFA)
1978 Eclipse News Review (Parkersburg FFA)
1978 William Garner, Superintendant (Parkersburg FFA)
1979 Parkersburg School Board (Parkersburg FFA)
1982 Aplington Elevator Co (Aplington FFA)
1982 Ivan Kreimeyer of Butler and Grundy Co Farm Services (Aplington FFA)
1982 Merle Uhlenhopp (Aplington FFA)
1984 Tom Frost (Aplington FFA)
1984 Clyde Johnson (Aplington FFA)
1984 Duane Nevenhoven (Aplington FFA)
1984 Dennis White (Aplington FFA)
1984 Randy Winkey (Aplington FFA)
1986 Sherm Hook (Aplington FFA)
1986 Dennis Johnson (Aplington FFA)
1986 LeRoy Lupkes (Aplington FFA)
1986 Tony Poppens (Aplington FFA)
1986 Butler and Grundy Co. Farm Services (Aplington FFA)
Building Our American Communities (BOAC) is a community-service program established by the National FFA in 1971. It engages FFA members in identifying local needs and leading projects that enhance agricultural communities. BOAC promotes citizenship and leadership through hands-on work - renovating public buildings, improving fairgrounds, creating community gardens, renovations for damaged or aged public-use structures, and much more. If there was a renovation done in the 1970's to early 2000's with FFA members, it was likely in connection to the BOAC programming.
While small grants are sometimes awarded, the program relied heavily on youth initiative, local support, and community resources to bring projects to life and create lasting impact. The people and groups listed below are those who were recognized for contributing towards local FFA Chapters through means of monetary, workforce, or advisory support.
1976 Aplingont Recreation Complex (Aplington FFA)
1982 President Bob Poppens representative accepting for the Aplington Booster Club (Aplington FFA)
1984 ARC, Aplington Recreation Complex (Aplington FFA)
1986 Dennis Ott representing Butler Co. Fair Association (Aplington FFA)
1987 Duane Groeneveld
1988 Francis Schuelka & Dennis White representing Aplington Community Club (Aplington FFA)
1989 Aplington Food Pantry (Aplington FFA)
1990 Aplington Lions Club (Aplington FFA)