INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023/National FFA Organization) – Building on 80 years of partnership, John Deere announced a donation of $1 million to the National FFA Organization to support the growth of future leaders, feed agricuture’s talent pipeline, and honor the organization’s community service efforts.

John Deere is the longest running sponsor of the National FFA Organization and continues be a leading advocate for the FFA, its members, and advisors. For instance, by providing the National FFA Organization with the largest amount of unrestricted annual support of any corporate donor, John Deere empowers FFA with the type of financial flexibility and security essential for its longterm stability and growth.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with John Deere,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “For more than  80 years, they’ve been unwavering in their support and continue to see the potential leaders in each one of our members and our advisors.”

“At John Deere, we are proud to serve the FFA and, ultimately, the next generation of agriculturists upon whom we will all depend to provide the food, fiber, fuel, and other resources essential to our shared prosperity,” said Aaron Wetzel, vice president of Small Ag & Turf Production Systems at John Deere. “Farmers and those who support their work are the backbone of our nation, and FFA offers impactful educational programs that foster the innovation and inclusivity needed to keep our industry strong.”

In addition to supporting the organization financially, John Deere also has many employees who are former FFA members or supporters of the organization. As a result, they have one of the country’s largest FFA Alumni & Supporters chapters. The chapter will be involved during FFA Week, offering members opportunities to participate in activities promoting FFA and supporting local chapters. In recognition of John Deere’s longstanding support for FFA, the John Deere Foundation is awarding over $30,000 to FFA Alumni and Supporters employee members and other FFA alumni to donate on Give FFA Day.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. 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. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

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 composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.