INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Dec. 21, 2020/National FFA Organization) – For 77 years, John Deere has worked side by side with the National FFA Organization to encourage the next generation of leaders and strengthen the agriculture industry. While the year 2020 has come with many challenges, John Deere’s commitment to FFA and agricultural education is stronger than ever.

Building on its legacy of support for FFA, John Deere announced this week that it is donating $1 million in 2021 to help support the National FFA Organization’s mission 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.

Since John Deere’s initial contribution of $1,000 in 1943, it has donated more than $16 million to the National FFA Foundation. John Deere was also one of the first corporate sponsors to form an FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. Today, employees from John Deere facilities across the U.S. volunteer to coach, mentor and train FFA chapters.

“Throughout the years, John Deere has shown their continuing commitment to FFA and our goal of building the next generation of leaders,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “In today’s climate, we know every dollar is being stretched; the fact that they find value in our members and our commitment to students and educators speaks volumes. We are more than pleased to continue partnering with John Deere as we continue to provide programming that will enable the future of agricultural education and FFA.”

“At John Deere, we believe FFA is as important to the future of agriculture as any cutting-edge machine, technology or service that we will deliver,” said Aaron Wetzel, John Deere’s vice president, production systems, and member of the National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board. “To sustain and grow agriculture in the U.S. and around the world, we must invest deeply in the agricultural teachers of today as well as the students they inspire to become the agricultural visionaries of tomorrow. Through John Deere’s support of FFA, we do both.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 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 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 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.