Not only is the Winfield, Kansas FFA Chapter known for being one of the original 12 FFA chapters in the state of Kansas, they are also known for their accomplishments and continued success each year.

According to Chad Epler, co-agricultural advisor for the Winfield FFA, we had the first Kansas FFA president and the first Kansas national FFA officer.

“In the last 10 years we have had seven state winning teams from flowers to livestock to Par-Law,” he says. “We have had, throughout our history, over 140 state degree recipients, one national officer, 14 state officers and numerous district officers.”

And last year was no exception for this chapter and their continued success.

“When you have this quality of kids to teach, it makes coming to work everyday easy,” Epler syas.

In a school with over 800 students from ninth to 12th grade, this chapter has 93 members. However, according to Epler, he and Greg Carver, co-agricultural advisor for the Winfield FFA, teach 11 different courses to more than 200 students enrolled in agricultural education classes.

Despite their rich history and long list of accomplishments many of the current members were unaware of the reputation of the chapter when they first joined.

“I took ag my eighth grade year and really liked Epler and enjoyed my time, but I didn’t realize I was part of something by being in FFA,” Kari Reed,Winfield FFA president says.

“When I took FFA I didn’t know what to expect or what it would be like, but it was a fun experience and I have learned a lot,” Sarah Potter, Winfield FFA senior explains. “It was good to have something to join. It wasn’t until I went to contests and other kids from different schools would say ‘they are from the Winfield group and you have to watch out for them.’”

According to Brice Bailey, Winfield FFA chapter officer, competing at a young age and doing well at state, makes you want to do well and continue to do well in the future.

“We have a coach that expects us to do our best and we support each other on our team to do their best as well,” he says.

Reed explains what success means to their chapter and what Epler always tells the students during practice and before contests, “success isn’t winning first place, it is setting a goal for yourself and working your hardest to do what you know how to do and achieve those goals you set for yourself.”

Epler, from Columbus, Kan., has been teaching agricultural education for 12 years and came to Winfield in 2000. “Carver was the middle school science teacher before he joined me in the ag program,” Epler mentions.

According to Epler, he tries to teach his students right from wrong and instill practices in his students to make them better individuals.

“I have some students who are mad that I spend 30 minutes teaching them how to properly sweep the shop and I expect them to do it and take pride in our facility, it was how I was taught,” he says. “I try to teach them what to say and when to say it, just like how my parents taught me.”

Not only are these students learning from Epler’s example but they are preparing for the future in each activity in which they participate.

“FFA is preparing me for the future, through public speaking skills I have learned and the confidence I have gained through the different Career Development Events. I know I will be better prepared for my future career,” Potter said.

According to Reed, Epler teaches the students balance.

“We are expected to have jobs, be good students, come to practice and try our best,” she says. “We have practice at 7 a.m. and stay until 5:30 p.m., since we have kids in class who are not FFA members we can’t practice during class time and Epler expects us to come to practice willing to become better. He cares for us just as much as we care for him.”

Not only is Epler preparing his students for the future in developing life skills, he is also teaching them how to give back to their community.

“We try to serve and help our community in anyway possible,” Reed says. “We have the super 70s breakfast for the elderly, we help with Meals on Wheels, put out flags for the Rotary Club on the 4th of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day, dump trash at the county fair, hold food drives and work with other chapters in creating farmer appreciation dinners. We have also organized and sent FedEx trucks of stuff to hurricane survivors in the mid 2000s.”

“I can’t image what it would be like not to be in FFA, I know for a fact I would be quieter and not willing to take risks and try new things,” Potter explains.

“These kids understand this chapter’s past and embrace the future,” Epler says. “We are fortunate to have an active alumni chapter, which is our support line, great administration support as well as great school board support,” he said. “We are lucky in the regards to have that support, as well as the support from our community, which is like our backbone.”

“Most importantly I try to teach my kids to do their best and to be humble, and these kids understand humility and will go and shake the first and last placed kids’ hands and I couldn’t be prouder,” Epler concludes.