Community FFA Chapter Celebrates Landmark 2025–2026 School Year
Grilling for the school – FFA leaders and members grilled for the entire school in two days. Together with Beth Miller, Josh. Jones, the Hawkins Family, they prepared 1,000 rib eyes and 700 ground beef burgers for students and staff to enjoy. It took hours of preparation, hard work, and dedication to make this event happen smoothly. Opportunities like this showcase the heart of the program and the power of teamwork and service within our community. Photo | Metcalfe County Schools
Staff Report
The Metcalfe FFA chapter looks back on a landmark 2025–2026 school year highlighted by student achievement, community engagement, and agricultural education experiences under the guidance of agriculture educators Josh Jones and Harley McIntyre. Nevertheless, it was followed by a staffing transition within the agriculture department.
Throughout the year, students, families, and community partners worked together to strengthen agricultural education opportunities and expand hands-on learning within the program.
State Leadership and Chapter Recognition
The chapter was honored by multiple visits from Kentucky FFA State Vice President Matthew Estes, who engaged students through leadership development activities, motivational sessions, and chapter-building initiatives that reinforced student involvement and growth.
Nine FFA members attended FFA Camp in July 2025, where Grayson Medley earned recognition as Champion Lawn Tractor Operator during Week 5 of camp activities.
During the annual FFA Banquet, more than 40 active members were recognized for their participation and accomplishments. Twenty-one students earned Greenhand Degrees, and 18 earned Chapter Degrees.
Seventeen students ran for chapter leadership positions in the 2026–2027 school year, demonstrating continued student investment in the program’s future.
Nine students competed in regional speaking events, earning multiple high placements, including two third-place finishes. The chapter also celebrated a milestone achievement with a Regional Creed Speaking winner—its first in more than 15 years.
Iliana and Alma Shirley are holding some of the chapter’s many awards at the Regional Banquet. Photo courtesy of FFA
Competition Success
Students competed across a wide range of Career Development Events and agricultural contests with notable success at the regional and state levels.
Highlights included:
- Veterinary Science Team: Regional Champions and Top 23 in the state
- Forestry Judging: Contest victories
- CPC Livestock and Dairy Judging: Contest victories
- 4th place Junior Dairy Judging at the Kentucky State Fair
- 6th place Senior Livestock Judging at the Kentucky State Fair
- 5th place Regional Ag Sales Team
- 2nd place Regional Welding Team
- 4th place Regional Chapter Meeting Team
- 4th place Regional Job Interview
- 8th place Regional AIC contest
Additional teams qualified at the regional level in Parliamentary Procedure, Tractor Driving, Quiz Bowl, and Record Keeping.
SAE Growth and Entrepreneurship
Student Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) continued to grow throughout the year. Nine proficiency applications advanced to the regional level, with five reaching the state level. One student received a $500 SAE grant, while another became a finalist for a $5,000 Shark Tank-style grant to expand an agricultural entrepreneurship project.
Students also demonstrated financial literacy and leadership by making strategic investments that supported local agricultural businesses and strengthened community partnerships.
Junior FFA member Jason Jessee is in action at his dairy SAE, helping his family run their dairy farm. Photo courtesy of FFA
Community Engagement and Agricultural Education
Community involvement remained a cornerstone of the chapter’s success.
A highlight of the year was a Farm-to-Table Dinner featuring locally sourced foods, where students served community members and highlighted local agriculture. The chapter also supported and revitalized the FFA Alumni organization and hosted a well-attended Truck and Tractor Pull, along with a successful steer raffle fundraiser.
More than 40 exhibitors participated in the Farm Safety Day, funded through a $5,000 Raising Hope Grant, providing safety demonstrations and agricultural education to students and community members.
Students also participated in a collaborative fishing event with Family and Consumer Sciences, where approximately 40 students engaged in friendly competition at a local pond, adding a unique cross-curricular experience to the school year.
Students who took part in the annual fishing event at the Hawkins family pond. This is in conjunction with the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and her culinary students. The students catch, clean, cook, and have a group meal. Photo courtesy of FFA
Additional outreach included elementary hayrides, a corn maze, a haunted corn maze, and a fall elementary agriculture day. Students also planted seeds with second-grade classrooms to promote agricultural literacy at an early age.
FFA members completed service projects such as fairgrounds cleanup, trash collection, and district-wide grilling events hosted alongside the Hawkins family. In another community-focused opportunity, more than 40 students were invited to fish at a local family pond.
Hands-On Learning
Twenty-three students participated in WKU Field Day competitions, while 10 attended the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention, where one student was awarded a heifer.
Students exhibited livestock and crops at the Kentucky State Fair, including cattle, tobacco, corn, hay, flowers, soybeans, and career development event entries.
Animal Science students are tagging and weighing all of the lambs. The group did a feed study with the lambs, recording daily gains and EPD’s. Photo courtesy of FFA
The school farm also expanded with the addition of two bred heifers, one registered bred cow, and 10 ewes. Students maintained daily livestock care responsibilities, including during severe winter weather and an ice storm that resulted in school closures.
Greenhouse operations experienced strong success, with increased plant production, sales, and hands-on learning opportunities in horticulture management.
Conclusion
The 2025–2026 school year highlighted the strength of agricultural education in the community. Through classroom instruction, leadership development, hands-on learning, and extensive community engagement, students gained meaningful skills and experiences that will support their future careers in agriculture and beyond.
The chapter continues to build on a strong tradition of student achievement, community partnership, and agricultural excellence. If you would like to see more of the events and photos from the FFA school year, go to their Facebook page, MCHS FFA.
Agriscience students bathing and grooming show heifers for Mr. Jones. Photo courtesy of FFA
