The Wisconsin FFA Foundation has announced the winners of the 2018 chapter grants, which encourage Wisconsin FFA chapters to develop individual and cooperative activities that will enhance their communities.
Two new grants were awarded this year. A $4,000 grant from the Burton H. Morris estate was bestowed upon the Adams-Friendship FFA Chapter. Morris, a longtime FFA and agricultural education supporter in Adams County, passed in 2016 and has left funds in his will for chapters who have students within the county limits.
Another new chapter grant was awarded to three chapters, each receiving $266.67: Prairie du Chien, Kiel and River Valley. The Wisconsin FFA Convention Chapter Grant was established by the WAXX/Wisconsin Farm Report Network with Pam Jahnke to help members attend the upcoming Wisconsin FFA Convention in Madison.
“We’re so grateful for our sponsors who support FFA through the chapter grants program,” says John Hromyak, Wisconsin FFA Foundation executive director. “Their support in key areas of need goes right to the local level, benefiting individual members and the communities they serve.”
The Wisconsin FFA Foundation also awarded chapter grants to several FFA chapters throughout the state, due to continuing program support from longtime benefactors.
Granton FFA is the recipient of the $500 Community Service grant, available because of generous donations to the Bethany L. Rieth Memorial Fund. This fund was established in the Past State FFA Officer’s honor after her sudden passing in February 2016.
Two chapters, Brodhead and Sparta FFA, are this year’s recipients of $400 Food for America grants, once again funded by the Wisconsin FFA Foundation’s long-time Two-Star Mission Partner, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Inc.
The Wisconsin FFA Foundation and Syngenta also have partnered to provide resources for produce gardens to eight Wisconsin FFA Chapters through the Grow More Communities program. This is two additional chapters than in 2017, due to Syngenta’s commitment to grow the garden grants awarded in Wisconsin.
The Columbus, Ellsworth, Holmen and Oshkosh North FFA Chapters each were awarded $500 to begin a chapter garden and will receive another $500 at the end of the season. Antigo, Randolph Cambria-Friesland, Shullsburg and Waupun FFA chapters are the recipients of the $500 grants for existing Grow More Communities garden projects.
