Though she was never an FFA member, Edna Morris knows impact when she sees it.
When Edna Morris was 6 years old, her older sister told her she was going to marry a farmer.
Young Morris, in her Annie Oakley cowgirl hat, burst into tears, to which “Daddy replied, ‘Quit crying — you’d be lucky to marry a farmer; it is noble, hard and good work.’”
In Rutherfordton, N.C., where Morris spent her happy youth, noble, hard, good work was also synonymous with FFA. Though she was never in FFA, years later she understood the leadership experience, life skills and hands-on learning the organization offers, by witnessing the impact on a family friend who was a member, and from Tractor Supply’s partnership with FFA.
Over the years, Morris has been an executive leader and served as president of several food service and restaurant groups, including Red Lobster and the James Beard Foundation. She was recently named chair of Tractor Supply Company’s board of directors, having served on the board since 2004.
She cites her parents as philanthropic, benevolent role models growing up. “My parents gave in ways big and small, financial and non-financial, and quietly. They modeled helping others,” she says.
When contemplating her personal charitable options, Morris makes investments that create meaningful impact. She worked with National FFA Foundation staff to align her giving plan “in a way that truly reinforced what mattered to me and to FFA,” she says.
As a result, the Edna Morris and David Forrester Endowment was created to support participation in leadership conferences for members of the Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School FFA Chapter in her hometown.
“One of my nephew’s friends was a leader in the local FFA and grew immensely by attending an FFA leadership conference,” she explains.
Morris adds, “It is an honor to give to FFA. The primary reasons I do so are because of the opportunities this well-run organization provides to build confidence, broaden exposure, inspire dreams, and develop friendships and leadership skills that will matter, whatever one chooses to do in life and wherever one chooses to do it.”
In turn, Morris strongly encourages others to do the same. While much of her professional career has been spent with large corporations that provide significant philanthropic support, she believes it is equally important for individuals to give to organizations they care about and that share similar values.
“Pick up the phone. Start the conversation. Explore different giving alternatives. Your heart, your mind and the whole world will be better because of it. Mine certainly is because of giving to FFA.”
