Each year the Texas FFA receives multiple requests for new charters, and chapter members from across the state work for a year in hopes of becoming an official chapter of the Texas FFA Association.

This year there are nine new charters, as well as three recharters. The nine new charters include Azleway Boys Ranch FFA, Benjamin O. Davis FFA, College Station FFA, Damon FFA, Dubiski Career FFA, Edinburg-Vela FFA, Killeen Career Center FFA, Mount Calm FFA and North Central Texas FFA. The three recharters include Hart FFA, Stephen F. Austin FFA and Taft FFA.

Eloy Perez, Mount Calm FFA advisor, built the agricultural program by strategizing to complete the necessary tasks. The Mount Calm students worked for two years on improving their agricultural program by participating in community service activities, studying parliamentary procedure and important dates, as well as cooperating with the school’s administration.

Britina Robinson-Pesak, College Station FFA advisor, also faced the task of chartering her chapter. However, Robinson-Pesak was able to complete the paperwork and help her members to receive, not only their official charter, but their National Chapter Award as well. “We had to dodge obstacles such as having very young members with no real role model to look up to and not a lot of knowledge,” said Robinson-Pesak.

“It takes a large amount of teamwork and cooperation within the organization to achieve a goal this size. It takes the entire year in order to get everything situated properly for this large task. But with teamwork and bringing everyone together to help, it is a fairly easy mission to work through,” said London ISD agricultural teacher Shawn Lockett. London ISD is working to apply for their charter next year.