Staff Report / October 26, 2026
PENN YAN – Members of the Penn Yan FFA chapter have returned home to Yates County following a celebrated and award-filled journey to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
The weeklong trip offered local students far more than competitive arenas. Participants toured agricultural businesses, engaged in leadership development workshops, completed community service projects, explored industry career pathways at the National FFA Expo, and forged connections with peers nationwide, including a reunion with their Chapter Connect partner, Orlando Colonial FFA.
On the national stage, Penn Yan students secured some of the organization’s most prestigious accolades:
- National 3-Star Chapter: Penn Yan FFA earned a 3-Star Chapter award, the highest chapter-level recognition bestowed by the National FFA Organization.
- Milk Quality & Products Team (6th in the Nation): The four-member squad brought home a National Gold emblem and a 6th-place national finish. Individually, the team secured three Gold medals and one Silver medal.
- Floriculture Team: Competing against a field of 48 teams from across the United States, the Floriculture team earned a National Silver rating.
- American FFA Degrees: Penn Yan members Maddie Smith and Mason Bush were awarded the American FFA Degree—a distinction achieved by less than one percent of all FFA members nationwide.
The successful expedition was guided by advisors Mrs. Bossard and Mr. Chappell, who organized the journey and prepared the competitive teams, alongside traveling cohorts and advisors from neighboring District 8 chapters.
photo: Penn Yan Agriculture and FFA Facebook
