Sobrato Future Farmers of America were awarded a $1,000 grant from Tractor Supply Company to fund the student group’s chicken coop project, according to a May 8 announcement.
Tractor Supply Company just wrapped up its third annual Grants for Growing program, which raised a record-breaking $830,000 for the National FFA Foundation. This year, 271 grants were awarded impacting nearly 30,000 students.
California Tractor Supply stores collectively raised $49,710 to fund local FFA projects. In California, 12 grants were awarded to chapters that requested funding to build or enhance sustainable educational projects, including chapter chicken coops, a sustainable planting initiative and livestock pens.
“Grants for Growing not only allows us to invest in California communities, but also invest in California youth who are the future of the agriculture industry,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply. “This program gives students hands-on learning experience as they watch their ideas turn their communities into stronger, more sustainable places.”
Between Jan. 10 and Feb. 14, FFA received nearly 600 applications from FFA chapters across the country detailing how they would start or expand a unique and sustainable project.
Coinciding with National FFA Week, Tractor Supply hosted a 10-day in-store fundraising event nationwide, which offered shoppers the opportunity to donate at checkout in support of the program.
Since the program’s start in 2016, Grants for Growing has raised more than $2.2 million for the National FFA Organization. In total, the initiative has funded 994 grants supporting projects involving more than 103,000 students.
