FS system supports FFA chapters and Illinois FFA

The FS System sponsored an activity at the 2023 Farm Progress Show to drive donations from the GROWMARK Foundation to the Illinois Association FFA and five local FFA chapters. For every check-in cataloged, the Illinois Association FFA earned $1.00 up to $5,000, while the five chapters with the most check-ins earned $1,000 for their local programs.

The following is a list of the five local FFA chapters that earned $1,000 donations, along with the county they are in and the FS cooperative that will present them with the check:

• Donation for Check-Ins: FFA chapter members and community supporters who checked in at the FS tent during the event contributed to this fundraising effort. For every check-in cataloged, the Illinois Association FFA earned $1.00, up to a maximum of $5,000.
• Additional Prizes for Local Chapters: In addition to the general donations, the five FFA chapters with the most check-ins received extra support. Each of these chapters earned $1,000 for their local programs. The donations on behalf of these local chapters will be made by the GROWMARK Foundation.

Here are the local FFA chapters that benefited from this initiative along with their respective counties and sponsoring FS cooperatives: Newton FFA

• County: Jasper
• FS Cooperative: Wabash Valley Service Co. & Total Grain Marketing LLC Maroa-Forsyth FFA
• County: Macon
• FS Cooperative: Evergreen FS, Inc. Nokomis FFA
• County: Montgomery
• FS Cooperative: M&M Service Co.

Central A&M FFA

• County: Shelby
• FS Cooperatives: South Central FS, Inc. & Total Grain Marketing, LLC Streator FFA
• County: LaSalle
• FS Cooperatives: GRAINCO FS, Inc. & FS Grain, LLC

The GROWMARK Foundation is a charitable organization that supports agricultural education, leadership development, and rural communities. It is funded by GROWMARK, a regional agricultural cooperative headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois.

The Illinois Association FFA is the state chapter of the National FFA Organization, a youth organization dedicated to agricultural education and leadership development. The Illinois Association FFA has over 22,000 members in over 300 chapters across the state.

This is a great example of how the agricultural community can come together to support its youth. The FS System and the GROWMARK Foundation are helping to ensure that the next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders has the resources they need to succeed.

Photo Credit: FS System