On Oct. 23, the Zachary High School chapter of the National FFA Organization was named Best Building Communities chapter in the nation.

The group was attending the 99th annual national FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The ZHS chapter was also recognized as a 3-Star Chapter. The national level recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

The Top 10 chapters in each division receive a plaque. Of those Top 10 in each division, a top premier chapter will be chosen in each division. Only 3-star chapters are eligible for premier chapter awards.

Melissa and Bubba Brumbaugh, agriculture teachers and FFA sponsors at Zachary High School, said, “To stand on the national stage representing Zachary and the entire state of Louisiana is an incredible honor. This achievement is the result of years of hard work, service, dedication, and a commitment to making our community a better place.

“Our students have poured their hearts into serving others, and today that hard work was recognized at the highest level.”

The Brumbaughs praised Erica Mayes and Carly Bozeman for two months of work on the presentation for Nationals and the Zachary Ag 3 and 4 students who has put on the Farm to School event, saying “this National Championship is for you.”

The ZHS FFA chapter is involved in numerous events to help the. In addition to “Farm to School,” they make Category 5 Helping Hands buckets, host ZHS Ag Spring Fest, visit pre-K and third and fourth grade students, teaching them about bees and heredity on Bee Day and Heredity Days, participate in U-High’s Earth Day, hold Mark Matte Legacy Day, and host and participate in ZHS Special Needs Chicken Show and ZHS Special Needs Christmas Breakfast.

The ZHS FFA is involved in the annual ZHS Special Needs Prom. The ZHS Ag Department also plans to add a vegetable garden to each school campus in the Zachary Community School District.

The ZHS FFA group recently began its venture into entrepreneurship with Bronco Snow, a student-run business embedded in the ZHS Entrepreneurship Program, allowing students to gain real-world experience in entrepreneurship, leadership, customer service and business operations while serving our schools and community.

Jamie Mansur, longtime special education teacher at ZHS, said, “ZHS Ag is one of the best inclusive programs at ZHS. Mr. and Mrs. Brumbaugh and their students provide our students with incredible opportunities to be part of activities, work in the gardens, and care for the animals. They give every student the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences while opening up a whole new world of possibilities for everyone who walks through their doors.