Impact
Giving to the Minnesota FFA Foundation impacts the nearly 16,000 students that experience classroom education, career success through their Supervised Agricultural Experience Program, and leadership development through FFA. We are grateful for all donors and sponsors who give to the FFA Foundation. These stories are because of you - thank you!
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Laura Church
FFA Alumni Member
Randolph FFA Chapter
While wearing the blue
corduroy Laura was impacted by the Minnesota FFA in numerous ways. She states, "My FFA advisor always asked us how to spell FFA. The answer is not simply "F-F-A" but instead "opportunities". Throughout my years in the FFA, I have been given countless opportunities that have shaped me into the person I am today, and that is all thanks to the MN FFA Foundation. Between serving as a region officer to participating in a national CDE contest to traveling to leadership conferences each summer, the Foundation has always been there to support us members. I received a scholarship from the Foundation which made it easier for me to attend the Washington Leadership Conference. This was an amazing experience and helped me become a service leader in my community, and I am forever grateful for that opportunity. Laura also served as a Minnesota FFA Foundation Ambassador. She enjoyed this experience because, "We had the chance to connect with industry professionals, sponsors, and supporters to share with them our FFA story.
It was a great opportunity to "put a face to the organization."
Rod Hebrink
President and CEO
Compeer Financial
“FFA played an important
part of my life as a young adult
and helped shape me into the leader I am today. FFA gave me the important foundation in giving presentations to small and large groups, interacting with farmers, and telling the story of agriculture and rural America. As President and CEO of Compeer Financial, I use the skills I learned in FFA each day. Serving as a state officer and being a member of FFA is something I am very proud of to this day.
Agriculture education and youth organizations are important to Compeer Financial and the future of agriculture and rural America. Not only do we support our three state FFA organizations, but we give back to local classrooms with our agriculture education equipment grants and FFA Chapters. Our team members are involved in presenting to FFA chapters, serving as judges at section and state events and have membership and leadership roles in FFA Alumni chapters across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.”
Joe Ramstad
Agricultural Education Teacher
Rockford Middle & High School
FFA has been essential for
my development both as a person and as a leader, and the Minnesota FFA Foundation has played a significant role in my FFA adventure every step of the way—from the moment I zipped up my first blue jacket in 2011 to my time in the classroom as an agriculture teacher today. My very first FFA jacket and the jacket I received as a state officer were generously sponsored by the Minnesota FFA Foundation and their Blue Jackets, Bright Futures initiative. Through attending many Minnesota State FFA Conventions as a student and as a volunteer, I have been able to see first-hand the connections and influence of the Minnesota FFA Foundation at the career exploration tent, as they work hard to share FFA's message and build meaningful partnerships with organizations that are relevant to our members, agricultural education teachers and stakeholders. And today, as an agriculture teacher, I get the privilege of sharing FFA with my enthusiastic students, and many of them have already been touched by the Minnesota FFA Foundation through participating in state-level events and activities, receiving their own blue jackets and earning scholarships. I am very grateful for the Minnesota FFA Foundation and everything they do to make members' dreams become a reality, and I look forward to continuing to see the impact they have on the FFA and the agricultural community as a whole!