National Chapter Award
Return HomeThe National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards (NQCS) and a Program of Activities (POA) that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
In order to qualify for the award, your chapter must complete at least 15 activities: one for each of the five quality standards of three divisions. Additionally, the chapter must meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the National Quality Chapter Standards.
Every chapter that meets the minimum quality chapter standards and completes Form I will qualify as a state superior chapter. To do this, chapters need to conduct one activity related to each quality standard in addition to meeting the minimum criteria outlined in the National Quality Chapter Standards. Chapters will receive a superior chapter certificate each year they achieve this level and the chapter will also be eligible to compete for their state's Gold, Silver and Bronze chapter awards.
To compete for state gold, silver or bronze awards, chapters must qualify for the superior chapter award and complete Form II. Chapters use Form II to report goals, plans of action and results/evaluation on three activities per division. State judges rank chapters as gold, silver or bronze based on the rubric. The highest scoring and second highest scoring chapters will be recognized on stage at the Pennsylvania State FFA Convention in June. Additionally, the highest scoring chapters (aside from the state winner and runner up) in the Growing Leaders, Building Communities and Strengthening Agriculture categories will also be recognized.
The top 10% of the state's total number of chapters will be eligible to submit their application to the national level. These chapters will be eligible to compete for the National 3-star, 2-star and 1-star ratings.
Important Dates and Deadlines:
-Monday, May 18, 2026 National Chapter Award Applications Submitted to State on AET by 11:59 PM
-Award Announcement at State FFA Convention in June 2026
***Please use May 16, 2025 as the start date and May 15, 2026 as the end date for your 2025-2026 NCA application.***
Suggested Timeline for Completing the National Chapter Award Application:
-June-July Work with the FFA Chapter Leadership/Officer Team to plan program of activities
-August Create Committees and begin planning program of activities events
-September Complete Form I of the National Chapter Award Application
-October-April Complete at least two sections of Form II of the National Chapter Award Application each month
-May Proofread application and submit to state on the Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET)
National Chapter Award Resources:
- National Chapter Award Helpful Hints Video with Darla and Krista
- National Chapter Award Landing Page from National FFA
- Overview of the National Chapter Award Program
- Program of Activities Divisions and Quality Standards
- National Chapter Award Application Student Worksheet
- Resource and Recognition Guides from National FFA
- National Chapter Award Rubric
- Program of Activities Worksheets and Resource Planning Guide
- National Chapter Award Program Judges Training
- National Chapter Awards Program Judges Presentation
National Chapter Award Success Stories
West Perry FFA members raised over $1,600 at a local festival by hosting an event they call Barnyard Bonanza which is a version of "Chicken Patty Bingo". The money raised is used to purchase a live animal and it is then slaughtered and the fresh meat is donated to the local food bank!
45 Cumberland Valley FFA members enrolled in Agricultural Construction and Natural Resources classes partnered with the Cumberland County Conservation District to create 30 rain barrels. Rain barrels will be installed at homes throughout the community to help eliminate soil erosion and capture water runoff from roofs that can be utilized for gardening.
Sporting their Ag Safety shirts, kindergartners rotated through 6 classrooms, engaging in 12 activities. Nora wore her bright green PAF coordinator shirt and Hawaiian FFA shirt as she assisted with a hypothermia lesson, highlighting the risks of outdoor agricultural work in varying weather, especially during winter. In a relay, students retrieved wash ers from an ice bath spelling "Hypothermia." Later, Nora led a lesson on sun safety, emphasizing protective clothing and sunscreen year-round. Students crafted bracelets with UV-reactive beads.
Millville FFA members tally homeroom donations and prepare boxes for delivery as part of the Farmers Care Supply Drive. By organizing a school-wide effort that collected over 300 essential items, students supported families in need while learning how agriculture-based initiatives contribute to local economic stability.
Because 32% of elementary families in the Southern Huntingdon County School District are food insecure, Southern Huntingdon County FFA members collected monetary and physical donations for food items, sorted donations, and packed holiday meals for 40 area families in need for the elementary students to take home and the families to use as their Christmas meal.