"We are fortunate to have Mr. Johnson as an advisor. He keeps us active in FFA and in his classes," senior FFA member Amanda McNees said.

   FFA member Nevada Turner agrees that Johnson deserves credit for developing programs that will have appeal to students today and well into the future.

   "It's neat to know the chapter has been around for 80 years and still keeps growing and growing. Mr. Johnson has made a lot of changes to help the FFA program and keep bringing in kids. It's cool to know the chapter is making a difference and will continue on," Turner said.

   The Curbside Recycling Program is just one example of how the Brokaw FFA Chapter is helping to make a difference in the Clarinda Community.

   During 2008, members of the chapter assisted the Clarinda Area Volunteers in collecting recyclables from over 100 homes in the community once a month.

   In addition, the chapter held a canned food drive that collected over 1,000 items that were delivered to food pantries in Clarinda.

   "The curbside recycling program and the canned food drive were great opportunities for us to give back to our community and that is something we do forever, even when we're out of FFA," Turner explained.

   McNees, Turner and several other members of the Brokaw FFA Chapter were also involved in numerous safety programs focusing on farm safety and seatbelt safety over the past year.

   Meanwhile, the Brokaw FFA Chapter also distinguished itself by earning various agricultural honors and faring well in several agricultural competitions during 2008. Some of those honors include:
6th Place - Iowa Supreme National Chapter Award Program (based on level of activities in three areas: Student Development, Chapter Development, Community Development)
3-Star Rating - National Chapter Award Program (highest award rating in the National Chapter Award Program)
6 members received their Iowa FFA Degrees (highest award the State FFA Association gives to its members)
1 State Officer (Sarah Beaver)
Reserve Champion Team - State Soil Judging CDE - 2nd consecutive year (Amanda McNees, Jill McCall, Laura Beaver, Dustin Sump)
Reserve Champion Individual - State Soil Judging CDE (Amanda McNees)
Reserve Champion Team - Southwest District Soil Judging (Amanda McNees, Jill McCall, Laura Beaver, Dustin Sump)
Champion Individual - Southwest District Soil Judging (Dustin Sump)
Reserve Champion Team - District Livestock Judging (Kam Hartstack, Brandon French, JJ Sunderman, Nick Comer)
Champion Individual - District Livestock Judging (Brandon French)
Champion Individual - Beef Division, State Livestock Judging CDE (Nick Comer)
Champion Team - Horse Judging, NWMSU Ag CDE's (JJ Sunderman, Emma Sunderman, Bailie Walters, Talynn Hughes)
Champion Individual - Horse Judging, NWMSU Ag CDE's (JJ Sunderman)
Silver Rating - Program of Activities, State Leadership CDE's (Jill McCall, Nevada Turner, Laura Beaver)
Silver Rating - Job Interview, State Leadership CDE's (Amanda McNees)
21st Place Team - National Land & Range Judging Contest (Kody Sump, Shadoe Steeve, Levi Sunderman, Ethan Woldruff)
15th Place Individual - North Central Region, National Land & Range Judging Contest (Ethan Woldruff)
16th Place Individual - North Central Region, National Land & Range Judging Contest (Shadoe Steeve)
Top Showmanship Award - Iowa State Fair (Caleb Crabs, Laura Beaver).