Wisconsin FFA celebrated growth, innovation and achievement at the 97th Wisconsin FFA Convention in Madison, welcoming six new chapters while recognizing record-setting membership gains and honoring top-performing programs across the state. This year set a new record for Wisconsin FFA with a statewide total of 28,632 members.
Wisconsin FFA welcomes six newly chartered FFA chapters during the 97th Wisconsin FFA Convention in Madison. To be officially recognized as an FFA chapter they must meet both state and national requirements. Some of these requirements include an application, proposed constitution and bylaws, and the names of all chapter members and officers.
The new chapters that received their official charter into the Wisconsin Association of FFA Green Bay Middle School FFA, Pulaski Community Middle School FFA, Ladysmith FFA, Winnebago Lutheran Academy FFA, Menomonee Indian FFA, and iForward FFA. WLA is the state’s second chartered parochial school in the association. iForward FFA is Wisconsin’s first online chapters.
Wisconsin FFA chapters receive membership awards
DeForest FFA Chapter was awarded the state’s largest membership award, totaling 283. This growth can be attributedto the leadership from advisors Gwendolen Boettcher, Zeth Engel, Abbey Meffert, and Alyssa Engel. This is an award that recognizes chapters that have increased in their membership from year to year.
Sectional winners for each section are noted with the number of new members: Bloomer+45, 1; Colfax +32, 2; Holmen +91 and La Crosse Middle FFA +91, 3; Prairie du Chien+13, 4; DeForest+283, 5; Waupun Area+111, 6; DC Everest +56, 7; Oconto Falls +55, 8; Algoma +36, 9; Delavan-Darien +241, 10.
The largest FFA chapter in Wisconsin is DeForest with 791 members, Holmen FFA was honored for the highest percentage increase of members at +425%.
Wisconsin Dells FFA Chapter named national chapter award winner
Wisconsin Dells FFA Chapter was named the state winner of the 2026 National Chapter Award at the 97th Wisconsin FFA Convention. The Wisconsin Dells FFA advisors are Nathaniel and Alexis Nolden. This program recognizes the chapters for their overall Program of Activities that include three major areas: growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Second place was awarded to Waupaca FFA and third place to Parkview FFA.
Chapters receiving a Gold Ranking and advancing to the National Competition: Amery, Big Foot, Chippewa, DeForest, Denmark, De Soto, Eau Claire, Freedom, Lodi, Manawa, Marshall, Mauston, Oconto Falls, Osseo-Fairchild, Owen-Withee,Pardeeville, Parkview, Portage, Sauk Prairie, Stanley-Boyd, Sun Prairie WestA, Tomah, Verona, Waupaca, Waupun, Weyauwega-Fremont and Wisconsin Dells.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Wisconsin FFA Convention highlights growth with new chapters and top honors
Reporting by Colleen Kottke, Wisconsin State Farmer / Wisconsin State Farmer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Colleen Kottke, Wisconsin State Farmer | USA TODAY Network
