Members of UT Martin Collegiate FFA pose with their newest hardware at the end of Tennessee FFA Alumni Convention on Feb. 25, 2023. Photo Credit/Cassie Lewis.
UT Martin Collegiate FFA was recently named Top Chapter at the Tennessee FFA Alumni Convention on Feb. 24-25, 2023 in Burns, Tennessee.
Members also competed in multiple on-site competitions, including the scrapbook, public speaking, quiz bowl, interview and discussion meet categories. UT Martin received first place in seven out of the nine competitions and third in the remaining two competitions.
President Cassie Lewis expressed pride in the chapter’s accomplishments, especially their award for Top Chapter.
“I think that’s what we are the most proud of because that means we did better than all the other chapters in everything,” Lewis said.
In addition to competing, UT Martin also contributed a special gift to the convention’s silent auction, which brought the highest bid.
“We also had a basket made of UT Martin and just Martin goodies from businesses and UT Martin apparel. Those were put into a basket, and we also had the highest bid of all the others chapters’ baskets,” Lewis explained.
Proceeds from the silent auction are donated to the Tennessee FFA Alumni organization, which supports the overall Tennessee FFA organization.
UT Martin was one of four schools present at the convention, along with Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University and University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The convention encourages collegiate FFA alumni to network with other chapters across the state.
The chapter’s mission is to promote agriculture education and support high school FFA students, which it accomplishes through multiple activities.
“We act more in an alumni role than an active role because we don’t compete as often as you would do in your [high school] FFA chapter,” Lewis said.
UT Martin Collegiate FFA also recently welcomed several high school chapters onto the UT Martin campus for FFA Night. To celebrate National FFA Week, high school students participate in a farm tour, learn from guest speakers and network with fellow West Tennessee members.
Along with hosting FFA Night, UT Martin Collegiate FFA also hosts high school-level competitions and helps prepare students beforehand. Lewis and other collegiate members find meaning in their supporting alumni role.
“I wasn’t quite ready to give up being active in FFA just yet,” she said. “It’s nice to know that I can still have an impact and help chapters around me.”
Lewis says that any student is allowed to join UT Martin Collegiate FFA, regardless of previous membership or major.
“We are open to anyone who wants to join,” Lewis said. “You don’t even have to be an ag major. … We love it when we have people join who aren’t an ag major because it means we get to expose them more to agriculture, which is always a positive [thing].”
