When does a jacket stand for faith, honor and pride? When it’s an FFA blue jacket. Local Culver’s restaurants along with Culver’s Support Center worked with the National FFA Organization, which develops its members’ unique talents and explores their interests through agricultural education, to donate over $30,000 to the organization’s blue jacket program.
Culver’s blue jacket donation is part of their Thank You Farmers™ program, which raises awareness about the importance of the agricultural industry and supports future ag leaders.
Culver’s donation will cover the cost of 238 blue jackets for FFA members across the country who may otherwise not be able to purchase one. The blue corduroy jackets are the official dress of FFA and unite a network of more than 649,000 future agricultural leaders across the country, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“For FFA members who have such a passion for agriculture, wearing the blue jacket is a sign of their commitment to the future of agriculture,” said Jessie Corning, senior marketing manager for Culver’s. “We’re proud to provide jackets to these deserving students.”
Following student nominations made by FFA advisors, Culver’s is working with the National FFA Foundation to match deserving members with local restaurants. Later this year, the blue jackets will be presented to select students.
“My first FFA event was last year. I didn’t have a jacket, so I had to borrow one. While it felt great to represent my chapter and FFA, it wasn’t right. I was wearing a jacket that didn’t fit quite right and with a name that was not my own,” said Joza M., an FFA student member. “Thanks to the support of the Culver’s program, I will be able to wear my own jacket at the FFA state convention this year.”
To date, Thank You Farmers has raised over 1 million dollars in support of the National FFA Organization and Foundation, local FFA chapters and a variety of local agricultural organizations.
