04/27/11 For many FFA members, the National FFA Convention is a life-changing event. Members could be receiving an award they’ve been working for throughout their high school experience, running for national office, meeting fellow members from across the country or competing in a national contest. And now, chapters in Indiana have a chance to win a trip to this convention.

FFA Chapters across Indiana are competing with chapters in seven other states to win an all-expenses-paid trip to their National Convention in Indianapolis. The FFA Chapter Challenge, sponsored by Monsanto Company, began March 7 in an effort to connect students and local farmers.  With less than a week left in the competition, John Glenn High School in Walkerton is in the top spot in Indiana with 426 votes in the 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge. Plymouth High School in Plymouth is in second place with 126 votes followed by South Newton Jr.-Sr. High School in Kentland with 96 votes. Currently, 304 chapters are registered for the competition with 46 of those chapters in Indiana.

The FFA Chapter Challenge sponsored by Monsanto, through the National FFA Foundation, involves chapters in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Georgia and Alabama. FFA members must reach out to the local community seeking support by getting people to vote for their chapter.

“As a company whose only business is agriculture, Monsanto is proud to support the FFA Chapter Challenge,” said John Raines, Vice President of Monsanto Customer Advocacy. “We see this as an opportunity for FFA chapters to build new and stronger relationships with farmers in their community. We encourage Indiana farmers to go online to www.FFAChapterChallenge.com and support their favorite chapters by voting.”

The chapter with the most votes in all seven states by May 1 will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for six students and an adult advisor to the 2011 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis – valued at more than $6,500 – and a $1,500 line of credit that they can use to buy FFA- merchandise, fund related activities or help pay for chapter costs.  The top 125 chapters participating in the competition also will receive a $1,500 line of credit. For participating, each of the seven state FFA organizations will receive a $1,500 grant to help fund FFA activities.

All winners will be announced on www.FFAChapterChallenge.com by May 15.