The North Clay FFA Chapter in Clay Center was incorporated during the 1928-1929 school year. It was organized locally after the state level, which was founded at the American Royal Stock Show. 

In their first year, the local FFA team carried an extensive poultry project that used 170 birds. The advanced agriculture class purchased 40 ewes and cared for them during the winter, as well as 43 spring lambs. In addition, they made hog houses and chicken feeders in the shop. 

The same year, the CCCHS Stock Judging Team won the Kansas High School contest, earning a spot to compete nationally at the American Royal. They took second place in livestock judging and first in meat identification. 

Prior to this, CCCHS maintained a Vocational Agriculture Society, known as Ag Society. The group is believed to have started in 1919 by Wesley G. Bruce. Students spent one half of each school day studying ag, including soils, crops, animal husbandry, and farm management. Two-fifths of their time was spent in the farm shop. In addition, students built a poultry house that was 20×30 feet and housed laying hens. Students were also to care for baby chicks. A carload of dairy heifers were delivered to students to care for during the school day. 

In the 1929-1930 school year, they had 26 members who met the first and third Wednesday of each month. That year they organized a basketball club, in which only future farmers could play. 

Four levels could be obtained by members of the club, Green-hand, Future Farmer, State Farmer, and American Farmer. The latter three categories required investments in the amounts of $25, $200, and $500, respectively. ($485, $3,881, and $9,704.) Green-hands had to be at least 14 years old, and the later categories also had educational requirements in vocational agriculture. 

During the 1948-1949 school year, the FFA chapter took first place in the farm shop exhibit at the Hutchinson State Fair for the second consecutive year. Within their display, machinery and equipment constructed in the Clay County High School’s ag shop. 

For 32 years, Jay Bohnenblust served as the North Clay FFA advisor. He described the role as a 12-month coach.

“There’s judging going on throughout the year and the summer,” he said. “I call it a young person’s game.” 

In 2016 the advisor position was taken over by its current holder, Andrea Flegler. She was later joined by a second ag teacher, Garret Craig, who was one of Bohnenblust’s students. They continue the program today. 

Above is the current Stuart Administrative Center, which was constructed as an ag shop. Below, the first FFA chapter.