Northwest Missouri FFA chapter chosen to receive $10,000
(Jefferson City, Mo.) — At the 95th Missouri State FFA Convention, the Savannah FFA Chapter was recognized as the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s (MSMC) first-ever Soy Innovation Challenge winner. As the state winner, Savannah FFA will receive $10,000 to implement in their chapter.
The Soy Innovation Challenge aims to engage FFA members in creating valuable exhibits and ideas based on the soy value chain to display at Missouri Soybeans’ Center for Soy Innovation in Jefferson City, Mo.
The Soy Innovation Challenge is a two-part contest where chapters designed and developed an exhibit for the Center and submitted proposals for MSMC to consider. The top four chapters traveled to the state’s capital to present to a panel of judges including an MSMC board member, industry stakeholder, soybean staff and Missouri state representative.
The top chapters awarded on stage included Savannah, Centralia, California and Galena, placing according to their listing. The chapters were presented $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively for their innovative submissions and presentations.
“With education as a core tenant of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s mission, it was an easy decision to come up with a program that encourages young agriculturalists to think innovatively and pursue the soybean industry,” said Aaron Porter, MSMC chairman. “MSMC finds it imperative to pour into local FFA chapters and students interested in agriculture to not only help us grow engagement at the Center for Soy Innovation but create future leaders for our organization.”
To receive the state title, Savannah worked in conjunction with ATHCO LLC to design a six-piece interactive play panel display that will not only tell the story of soybean production but also navigate new uses of soybeans. These 3D panels will bring to life the journey of soybean from field to end use. Each panel will provide an individual experience to help explain soybean production to elementary-aged students.
“Career readiness is a fundamental piece of the agricultural education curriculum and Missouri FFA Association mission,” said Teresa Briscoe, Missouri FFA executive secretary. “This new contest offering from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a unique opportunity for students to enhance useful skills in the classroom and future workforce while educating students on a pivotal part of Missouri’s agricultural landscape. Missouri FFA encourages more chapters to apply year after year to reap the benefits of the valuable new contest.”
The interactive exhibit proposed by the Savannah FFA Chapter will be placed in the Center for Soy Innovation as late as the 2024 field trip season.