The state’s FFA chapter announced Wednesday during the West Virginia FFA Convention in Ripley that it has broken the membership record made last year.

The organization now has 6,469 members and 83 chapters across the state. The membership grew by 1,100 students.

FFA leaders welcomed more than 560 participants to the 91st Annual West Virginia FFA Convention this week. FFA National President Luke O’Leary was scheduled to attend as the significant news was shared about West Virginia’s program.

FFA is the premier youth organization preparing students for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Dating back to the 1920s in West Virginia, the program witnessed historic growth last year with 5,360 members and 77 local chapters, numbers that had not been seen since the early 1960s. Agricultural Education is the fastest-growing career technical education (CTE) program and is introducing more students to the agriculture industry and the numerous career opportunities available.

Agricultural education is the fastest growing CTE program in the state, and student agricultural enterprises contribute approximately $5.5 million to the state’s economy.