Non-traditional FFA Banquet Ideas to Make It The Best One Yet

I didn’t cry at my wedding. 

I think I was too caught up in all the to-do’s to let my true emotions of joy and excitement show through happy tears. 

But, I have cried at multiple FFA banquets. And it wasn’t because of stress!

The combination of sitting proudly as my students ran the show, watching my students who don’t normally win awards stand proudly as they receive one, and getting to see the growth of our chapter just hits me in the heart. 

How to Make Your FFA Banquet the Best Yet 

The Set-Up

When I first started teaching at a very well established chapter I was told by the fellow CTE teachers and parents of FFA members I MUST SERVE Barbeque, host in the cafeteria, and do the banquet on a certain day. 

I was new to the area, I started at that school in March, and hosted my very first banquet two months later. So, I just went with what they said. 

I am not saying it was a mistake. But, now that I am a seasoned teacher I know that it is up to me and my current officer team to call the shots!

So, if you are stuck in the hum-drum same old, same old traditions that you would like to spice up, try out some of these ideas from teachers across the country. 

FFA Banquet Ideas

Awards Ceremony in Theatre

Instead of a normal sit-down dinner awards ceremony try a more typical awards ceremony like you might see on TV! Host it in the theatre, have kids come up on stage to get awards. Bada-bing-bada-boom. Super simple and cost effective – the biggest expense would be the awards itself (if you don’t have to rent your space). 

Before School Breakfast Banquet

Do you have some early risers? If so, why not do a before school breakfast banquet? You could even combine it with a fundraiser pancake breakfast! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I feel like this would be a great new tradition. 

Recognize each student individually

Something that I think we all find hard is when you have to call up the same students over and over and over again because they are an incredible FFA member. 

Hear me when I say this isn’t a bad thing, but it is time consuming with all the standing up, walking up for the award, taking a picture, and going back to seats. 

To help with this, many ag teachers give out a student’s award all at once, o they only need to come up once hence saving time!

No Speakers 

This may be a controversial take, but what if it was all awards and no speeches? No state officer, no senior speeches, no creed performance, no advisor send off. Just awards! 

I will be honest, I have sat at many awards programs (not just FFA) where the speeches were too long, too boring, or off brand of the event. This might be a time saver and sanity saver for your attendees. 

The Food

Food is very personal and unique to every chapter. You might be stuck in the same Smithfield’s barbeque rotation like I was in my first chapter. The ag teachers from across the country have some very cool ideas for you to spice up the food you are serving at your next banquet below. 

Baked Potato Bar

Dare I say, say less? This sounds amazing and much easier than getting multiple types of meat along with all the sides. You just make some taters and have a lot of toppings. I love the uniqueness and simplicity of this idea! (@justicemarie298)

Dessert Luncheon

We had multiple FFA advisors go the sweet tooth route for their banquet. From a dessert pot luck where everyone brings a dessert, to an ice cream social and a simple Cookie Tray from Sam’s club you really can’t go wrong with a sweet treat to celebrate your FFA members. 

Pasta Bar 

Similar to our baked potato bar idea, why not make it Italian! Cater or make your own pastas, have a couple types of sauces and toppings and you are carb-loading your attendees into happiness as they watch the rest of the festivities. 

Food truck

I would like an invite to this banquet next year. This chapter had a taco truck for a set amount of time and each person got a set amount of money to eat! WOW! That sounds like a crowd pleaser. 

Potluck

FFA is about community and sometimes the best way to celebrate is to come together for a potluck. Many chapters purchase the main course (ex. Tri-tip, barbeque, burgers) and have community members bring side dishes and desserts. Many suggest using a sign-up genius or digital form to make sure you have all the bases covered (like more mac-n-cheese and less potato salad). 

The Awards

I still remember the days when the National FFA Store sent a magazine to each FFA advisor to make sure they had all the newest awards ready for banquet season. Nowadays, we just do it virtually.

And don’t get me wrong, the ease of getting those specialized plaques from National FFA makes the ordering so easy. But, sometimes you wanna shake things up and surprise the students! 

Here are some new ideas for the awards you give out to celebrate your students at the banquet.

Ribbons

My chapter did this and we loved it. We made “horse show” ribbons and gave them out to every CDE and application award participant. They were gold, silver and bronze for what emblem they earned at the region or state level events. 

Banners

I feel like banners are huge in Texas and California (if your state does it too let me know!). Banners look amazing in classrooms for the team awards. Why not try and replicate those for individual chapter awards? I can already imagine the cute pennants proudly displayed in chapter member’s homes!

Pins

Pins are a cost effective way to recognize member’s successes and BONUS they get to wear them on their official FFA jackets. WIN-WIN. Most pins cost you $2-3 from Shop FFA. Grab them for your greenhands, CDE/LDE/proficiency and agriscience fair participants!

Plants

Got any extra plants from the plant sale hanging around? Why not give those out at the banquet. Maybe not to your students but to alumni, volunteers, administration, board members that attend and support your students. I bet they would love that extra nod of appreciation!

Donations

I’ve never tried this in a chapter but it is something we do in G&G with Germinate speakers. To celebrate someone’s accomplishment, what if instead of dropping $50 on a plaque, you donate that $50 to a chapter scholarship fund in that student’s name? They are leaving a legacy for the next generation of FFA members!

Regardless of how you decide with your chapter how to celebrate your yearly accomplishments, remember that it is OK to change, it’s OK to try something new, it’s OK to be different!