The year 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of support to FFA from AGCO, Corteva Agriscience, Ford and New Holland. Over time, these companies have invested millions in FFA, employed many former FFA members and provided countless meaningful engagement opportunities.
Long term, solid philanthropic partnerships like these enable the National FFA Organization to plan for the future and — with guidance and expertise from the industry partners — thrive in the present.
AGCO, headquartered in Duluth, Ga., currently contributes funding for the National FFA State Officer Leadership Continuum, FFA chapter grants and scholarships for FFA members.
“AGCO’s brands have been longtime supporters of FFA because we share future-oriented missions to support farming practices that feed the world,” says Seth Crawford, senior vice president and general manager of precision ag and digital. “FFA educational activities are among the industry’s most effective in identifying, developing and propelling today’s students into tomorrow’s skilled ag leaders.”
Corteva Agriscience, headquartered in Indianapolis, makes financial contributions that help fund the National FFA Band and Chorus, the State Officer Leadership Continuum, the New Century Farmer conference, teacher resources and other programs.
Tony Klemm, vice president of business development and licensing, says, “Aligning with our company mission, Corteva knows that our investment in the National FFA Organization over the past 75 years has helped to shape and build American agriculture by fostering the growth of agriculturists across the spectrum of the industry.”
Ford supports the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the National FFA Convention & Expo, among other programs. Further, since 1998, the Built Ford Tough FFA Scholarship Program has enabled the Dearborn, Mich., company and its dealers to financially support over 10,000 FFA members’ educational pursuits.
“Ford Motor Company is proud of its long-standing relationship with FFA and is excited to be celebrating 75 years of continuous FFA support,” says Todd Eckert, truck product marketing and brand manager of Ford Blue. “The FFA mission to develop America’s youth through formal agricultural education and leadership skill-building connects seamlessly with Ford’s aspiration to help build a better world.”
New Holland, a global agricultural machinery company with its U.S. headquarters in Pennsylvania, supports the career preparation component of FFA through Next Gen Conferences and other events as part of their parent company CNH Industrial.
Director of Network Development Mark Lowery says, “We hope New Holland’s contributions to the National FFA Organization will continue to enable and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders. We invest in FFA to grow the talent base our segment of the industry will need to invent the equipment solutions that will solve our world’s evolving needs.”
Undoubtedly, the world is very different than it was 75 years ago. What remains the same, however, is the unwavering impact that these companies continue to provide — in turn, promising a bright future for FFA.
