Glencoe‑Silver Lake FFA recounts national chapter award, invites community celebration
December 18, 2025 | McLeod County, Minnesota
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Glencoe‑Silver Lake FFA students told the McLeod County Board on Monday that their chapter’s push to expand programming and community engagement earned national recognition.
"I'm Grady Schuff," a student presenter said, describing a chapter narrative built around a hypothetical young farmer who balanced farm work, classes and FFA activities. Presenters said the chapter grew from 8 members in 2020 to 134 today and that 90% of members participated in service projects, contributing what they described as more than $150,000 back to the community.
The students outlined three pillars of their Model of Excellence submission — growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture — and described 52 local events run by the chapter, including a summer egg tour, a Building A Better You leadership day and Operation Pollinators. The presenters credited a committee structure introduced in 2023 with expanding leadership and enabling events to connect students with businesses and community partners.
Case examples included a three‑day summer egg tour that connected 38 members with 15 agricultural businesses and a Read Ag program that reached elementary students across four schools. Presenter Samantha Madsen said the national recognition reflected five years of incremental improvement: "It took 5 years to achieve," she said, describing the moment they were announced as "unreal" and emotional for the chapter.
Board members praised the chapter’s growth and community work. Commissioner Schmaltz called the presentation "awesome," and Commissioner Krueger said he could "certainly see why you lead the nation in FFA chapters." The board offered applause and photographs.
The students invited the public to a community celebration at the school next Tuesday at 9:50 a.m. in the Black Gym, where the chapter will present the award again and host representatives from the Minnesota FFA Foundation and Don Gilman.
The presentation concluded with board appreciation and the chair noting that the chapter’s size — comparable to a graduating class — was notable for a rural district. The meeting then moved on to other agenda items.
"I'm Grady Schuff," a student presenter said, describing a chapter narrative built around a hypothetical young farmer who balanced farm work, classes and FFA activities. Presenters said the chapter grew from 8 members in 2020 to 134 today and that 90% of members participated in service projects, contributing what they described as more than $150,000 back to the community.
The students outlined three pillars of their Model of Excellence submission — growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture — and described 52 local events run by the chapter, including a summer egg tour, a Building A Better You leadership day and Operation Pollinators. The presenters credited a committee structure introduced in 2023 with expanding leadership and enabling events to connect students with businesses and community partners.
Case examples included a three‑day summer egg tour that connected 38 members with 15 agricultural businesses and a Read Ag program that reached elementary students across four schools. Presenter Samantha Madsen said the national recognition reflected five years of incremental improvement: "It took 5 years to achieve," she said, describing the moment they were announced as "unreal" and emotional for the chapter.
Board members praised the chapter’s growth and community work. Commissioner Schmaltz called the presentation "awesome," and Commissioner Krueger said he could "certainly see why you lead the nation in FFA chapters." The board offered applause and photographs.
The students invited the public to a community celebration at the school next Tuesday at 9:50 a.m. in the Black Gym, where the chapter will present the award again and host representatives from the Minnesota FFA Foundation and Don Gilman.
The presentation concluded with board appreciation and the chair noting that the chapter’s size — comparable to a graduating class — was notable for a rural district. The meeting then moved on to other agenda items.
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