Since 1956, BASF has been investing in FFA to help develop the leaders of tomorrow. “At BASF, it’s important to help prepare the future generation for the biggest job on earth by developing student talents and exploring their interests in agricultural pathways,” said Neil Bentley, BASF vice president, market management, Agricultural Solutions North America and a National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board member.
While the company provides significant financial support for the organization, our employees also know the value of donating their time and talents.
“When the FFA motto says ‘Living to Serve,’ we believe those are not just words for members to live by but also all of us who are alumni and supporters,” said Brittany Lloyd, global head of seeds quality at BASF and a member of the BASF FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter.
The company’s alumni chapter, chartered in 2020, has more than 160 alumni members across 20 different states and is consistently growing. Through the chapter, employees can give back to FFA on local, state and national levels and engage in professional development opportunities. As the company adds more FFA Alumni — including past national officers and past state officers — to its workforce, interest in the alumni chapter and FFA volunteer opportunities are on the rise.
“As an FFA member, I greatly benefitted from the volunteer time that community members and industry representatives invested in my chapter and me,” said Lloyd. “Now, as an alum, it is my turn to give back to the next generation, and it is great to work for an employer that promotes this.”
In 2023, BASF sent more employees than ever before to the National FFA Convention & Expo to interact with members, increase interest in its internship program and volunteer as judges. Thirty-five employees served as judges and five served on committees for competitive events, providing an industry voice and program guidance. For these individuals, volunteering is meaningful and worthwhile.
“These student experiences are preparing members for life no matter what — win or lose,” said Mike Jones, a BASF employee and 2023 National FFA judge. “Their growth as young adults and understanding of business, hard work and preparation is astonishing. It was well worth my time in paying back what FFA did for me!”
And, interacting with industry professionals benefits FFA members too.
“National FFA awards and competitive events allow our students to prepare for careers in the agriculture industry,” said Carol Herl, education specialist of CDEs/LDEs within the programs and events division at the National FFA Organization. “Having judges from the corporate world allows our members the opportunity to network and benefit from their experience in the workforce. Interactions with judges enable our committee members to discuss current industry trends and technologies, which can lead to evolution and changes in our events to continue to prepare our members to be the next generation of leaders in the workforce.”
When FFA can help connect knowledgeable professionals with driven young people, it’s a win-win for agriculture and everyone involved.
FFA is still looking for CDE/LDE judges. If you are interested in serving as a judge on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in Indianapolis, email cde@ffa.org.
Marty Viser is the community relations and communications manager at BASF Agricultural Solutions
