The many opportunities FFA members experience at the national FFA convention wouldn’t be possible without the support of FFA corporate partners. One of those significant supporters, Tractor Supply Co., has also been one of the most inventive.
“We’re big believers in investing in life out here,” says Tractor Supply Co. CEO Hal Lawton. “If it’s good for life out here, it’s going to be good for Tractor Supply, and one of the best organizations out there for rural America and the future of agriculture is the FFA. The two just go so well together. We’re thrilled to be a part of it and to contribute and serve.”
Tractor Supply has been innovative in the ways it supports FFA, both locally and nationally. At the local level, it’s all about engaging community members.
“Right now, we’ve got a shirt for sale – we do it annually in our stores, it’s got a great location – and all the proceeds…go toward FFA,” Lawton says. “We also have our annual round up, where customers can round up [their purchase costs] and be part of it as well.”
Nationally, the Tractor Supply Company Foundation made a five-year, $5 million commitment to support FFA scholarships. The first batch of 146 scholarships across 38 states was recently awarded. “The portal for submission of applications for next year’s recipients is out there, so if you weren’t part of the first batch, I definitely encourage you to submit again or submit for the first time,” Lawton says. “We’ve got 150 scholarships out there again for next year, $1 million worth.”
Article edited by FFA New Horizons editor Justin Davey.
