The National FFA Organization is a youth organization established in 1928 that continues to build members' leadership skills through agricultural education experiences with 92% of chapters based in publicly funded schools. In 2025, FFA had a total of 1,042,245 student members across 9,407 local chapters. Each year, National FFA holds its Convention & Expo to bring together student members and chapters from across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 70,000 students, advisors and supporters attended the 2025 Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
This year, FFA wanted to expand access to specific chapters seeking to attend its 98th Convention & Expo held October 28-31, 2025, by crafting experiences designed to promote intercultural development, build relationships and strengthen networks that bridge rural and urban communities in the Chapter Connect pilot program. CoBank was proud to support the Chapter Connect pilot program with a one-time $50,000 grant. Grant funds supported the attendance of 30 selected chapters across 28 states and Washington D.C., ranging from Alaska to Hawaii. While most of FFA's 9,407 chapters are in rural areas, nearly 40% are located in cities, towns or suburbs. The Chapter Connect program aims to enhance chapter representation from a wider range of communities to broaden perspectives of what agriculture looks like in different regions—from urban schools breeding hedgehogs and selling crested geckos, to rural schools navigating the challenges of cultivating volcanic soil for crops like breadfruit. The program also supports underserved chapters that might not otherwise attend the convention. Nearly 10 chapters had never attended a National FFA Convention or had not done so in over five years. By introducing members and chapters to different perspectives, Chapter Connect promotes collaboration, inclusion and exposure to new ideas.
The program aligns with the FFA's Value Statements, adopted in 2021. It affirms that “we respect and embrace every individual's culture and experiences.”
“The greatest value of this program is that Chapter Connect has been a celebration of our similarities,” said Caela Sause, Orlando Colonial FFA advisor (Florida). “So for our students to see that helps break down the barriers of entry to working in the agriculture industry. That's what CoBank supported through this program.” Students emphasized the benefit of intentionally engaging with other students from different communities and quickly finding common ground and friendship with one another. “Chapter Connect showed me a sense of community. I always heard, ‘When you wear the Blue Jacket, you have family wherever you go,’ but I never saw it until I was part of this program,” said Emily Jose-Alamo, Orlando Colonial FFA student.
CoBank's Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Knowledge Exchange Brian Cavey also serves on the National FFA Sponsors Board. “We were proud to support the launch of the Chapter Connect program. It was truly inspiring to witness young agricultural leaders from different regions sharing ideas, demonstrating that American agriculture welcomes individuals from every community, regardless of your zip code. These youth are well on their way to fill the roles we will need to feed the world,” said Cavey.
CoBank welcomed the opportunity to grant funds to the program due to our emphasis on engaging communities. CoBank also supports National FFA with an annual grant of $75,000 for its Living to Serve program. The Living to Serve program supports FFA chapters in middle and high schools and state associations with competitive grants awarded to applicants for service projects in communities in need. The grants support student-led community service projects that falls within one of FFA's focus areas—community safety; hunger, health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; and community engagement. Both of these initiatives are part of a strong, long-standing connection between CoBank and FFA.