Central Farm Service recently approved $40,000 in grant funds to be distributed to 20 Future Farmers of America chapters within their service and trade area.

In addition, the CFS funds are being matched by the Land O’Lakes Foundation, bringing the total contribution to $80,000.

The purpose for the grant money is for each chapter to use the funds to focus on developing and applying leadership and classroom skills with activities, projects or events that help improve our rural communities and/or service those who live there.

“Concern for Community is one of our seven cooperative principles,” CFS Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Jo Ann Gumto said. “Contributions such as this are an investment in the future of our rural communities. The skills that young people can gain from participating in FFA are invaluable and we want to help local chapters fund projects that will teach and inspire the students in FFA to be great leaders in our communities.”

Each chapter advisor was asked to fill out an application describing an activity, project or event that their chapter has planned for the coming months or has already accomplished this year and how it may have improved their community or helped service a group of individuals within their community. They were also asked how the funds provided by CFS would help with this activity now or in the future.

“We will use the grant to offset the cost of students who attend the state and national FFA conventions,” said United South Central FFA Advisor Dan Dylla. “We typically have 40 plus members who compete and attend the state convention, while we have around 15 who attend the national convention. The cost to attend these conventions is a major expense, so the financial support of CFS is greatly appreciated.”

“FFA plays an important role in developing leadership skills, personal growth and career success,” Gumto said. “We are very proud to be able to offer this grant to the UnitedSouth Central FFA program and promote all aspects of agriculture.”