With spring officially here, FFA chapters nationwide are organizing fundraising events and sales to support their programs and activities.
As chapters gear up for state convention, fundraising is crucial to cover the costs of travel and lodging in addition to preparation for state-level competitions. From car shows to plant sales and BBQ dinners, here are some of the ways chapters are raising funds this spring:
Baker FFA’s Drive-Through BBQ Dinner in Baker City, Oregon
The Baker FFA Chapter held a community BBQ dinner, partnering with a local meat producer, catering company, and a network of volunteers and sponsors to organize the drive-through BBQ event. The fundraiser is a tradition that dates back to the latter part of the aughts, when FFA Advisor Nicole Merchant was an ag student at Baker High School.
“On average we serve 1,200 to 1,300 people. We normally prep for 1,500 so that we can feed all the kids who help, as well as the parents and alumni members who come in to assist,” Merchant said.
The chapter’s BBQ Drive-Through Committee, led by the chair and assistant chair, takes charge of planning the event. They work closely with sponsors like Beef Northwest, who often donates the meat, and AgWest, which sponsors the water bottles provided in the meals. The committee also coordinates with the city for traffic control and organizes volunteer sign-ups, ensuring the dinner runs smoothly.
“They’re gaining marketing skills, learning how to organize a fundraiser like this, and developing teamwork abilities as they work with a partner to deliver meals,” explained Merchant. “Our middle school students also come to help, so we often pair a high school student with a middle school student to help them build relationships and work together.”
The event, known as the Helping Hands BBQ, doubles as a community outreach project. After the event, half of the proceeds are donated to a local community member in need.
Mason FFA’s Maple Syrup Sale in Mason, Michigan
The Mason FFA Chapter has been making and selling maple syrup to support the chapter since the 1960s. Although their equipment and technologies have evolved over the years, the members still tap, harvest the sap, and make the syrup themselves.
Douglas FFA’s Car Show in Castle Rock, Colorado
Douglas FFA is hosting a car show at the local fairgrounds, where every car entered will have a chance of competing for special awards to be voted on by the public. All proceeds from the event will go to funding chapter travel to competitions and overall chapter operations to help members explore future careers in the agriculture industry.
South Jefferson FFA’s Puffin Sale in Adams, New York
Members of South Jefferson FFA sold frozen pastries through their annual Puffin Sale, where community members purchased a variety of fruit and cream-filled treats to support the chapter.
Dove Creek FFA’s Plant Sale in Statham, Georgia
The Dove Creek FFA Chapter held its annual spring plant sale, where members sold a variety of flowering annuals, ferns and hanging baskets. In the winter members plant their products and then continue to care for them until the spring, when they organize the plant sale.
“Our students plant, water, and then work the plant sale, and they do all the prep work,” said Brandon Walker, the Dove Creek FFA Advisor. “They’re also able to help customers to their car, take up the money, they pretty much run the sale during the school day.”
Walker noted that students gain a range of skills through the fundraiser, not only in plant science but also in marketing, accounting, and communication.
“They get to see how a plant goes from a plug stag to a finished product, but then they also get to see the market side, as I have them make the sales flier. On sale day, the students are counting money and learning customer service,” Walker said.
Gilbert FFA’s Spring Market in Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert FFA members organized a spring market at their high school, featuring student-run booths with food, crafts and displays in addition to a scavenger hunt and petting zoo.
Henning FFA’s Fruit Sales in Henning, Minnesota
Members of Henning FFA sold boxes of fruits and snacks to help support their chapter, including grapefruits, oranges, apples, pears, cheese gourmet sausage, gourmet nuts, cheese spreads, beef jerky, and ground coffee.
Paris FFA’s Blue & Gold Meat Sales in Paris, Arkansas
The Paris FFA chapter sold high-quality sausage, chicken and bacon from the Blue & Gold Sausage Co., a family-owned and operated business that sells meat exclusively through fundraising efforts.
Kate Walker is a student at Georgia College and State University. Originally from Watkinsville, Georgia, she has a passion for writing and all things agriculture.
