Beech Tree News Network

The National FFA foundation has awarded an official FFA jacket to Katie Snodgrass, a 10th grade student at Butler County High School and member of the Butler County High School FFA chapter. Drakes Farm Service Inc. together with Syngenta participated in the FFA Blue Jacket program as a special project of the National FFA foundation, to make the award possible. The FFA blue corduroy jacket is the most recognized symbol of the National FFA Organization and worn only by student members. The FFA Blue Jacket program began with Syngenta in 2008 and awarded 40 FFA blue jackets in its inaugural year. Recently, the program has grown to provide more than 190 FFA blue corduroy jackets annually to deserved members.

Syngenta challenged its retail partners to contribute an amount to be matched by Syngenta as part of its support to the National FFA Organization. In recognition of each retailer’s contribution, a local chapter selected by the Syngenta retail partner received an official FFA blue jacket and a $750 donation check.

“Syngenta is honored to partner with retailers across the United States supporting the FFA Blue Jacket Program,” said Jerry Johnson, Syngenta’s Heartland East Commercial Unit Head. “It is a tremendous opportunity to support local chapters and our future leaders that will shape global agriculture.”

“Meeting the challenge of feeding a world population forecast to top 9 billion people by the year 2050 will require students who understand the science, business, and technology of agriculture,” said National FFA President Molly Ball. “This generation support from Syngenta and (retailer name) is helping prepare FFA members to be the next generation of leaders and innovators for American agriculture.”

The National FFA Foundation is the fundraising arm of the National FFA Organization, which provides leadership, personal growth, and career success training through agricultural education to 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.

About National FFA Organization:

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 629,367 student members as part of 7,757 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 1st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter, and the official National FFA Organization blog.

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About National FFA Foundation:

The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19 member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors, and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 2 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.