South Dakota FFA Foundation Awards grants for local FFA chapter service-learning projects

The FFA motto all FFA members learn includes the words,” Living to Serve”, making service a core value taught to over 10,000 high school Agriculture Education students through their FFA participation. With state educational budgets becoming tighter all the time, FFA chapters are forced to choose which worthwhile activities they can still participate in. Sometimes that means service projects do not happen. The SD FFA Foundation recognizes the value of local chapter service-learning projects and wants to enable Agriculture Education programs to focus on student and community development. As a result, the SD FFA Foundation provides up to $500/chapter for service projects in their local communities. SD FFA Foundation Executive Director, Gerri Ann Eide says, “We want to grow community leaders for tomorrow by encouraging FFA members to take an active role in the betterment of their communities and find pride in the communities at the same time. These are valuable educational activities that impact agriculture education students for a lifetime.” 

Congratulations to the following chapters receiving SD FFA Foundation funds for their service projects: 

Buffalo Christian – creating accessible/engaging agricultural space for assisted living facility residents

Ethan – Building beds for “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”

Harrisburg – Implementing “Learner Interest Days” at elementary schools

Gregory County- Creating “A Bloom in Every Room” at the nursing home

Langford Area – Creating Birthday in a Bag kits

Lennox – Implementing literacy with books & activities at local elementary

Menno – Hosting a First Responder Appreciation event

Miller – Implementing equine therapy

Scotland – Assembling first aid kit for farm families and agricultural workers

Tri-Valley – Preparing and providing Christmas freezer meals for families in need

These grants were made possible, as a special project of the SD FFA Foundation, with Wayne & Gwynn Hansen Fund and Bawek Trucking donating to help provide these grants. For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and South Dakota’s FFA programs, visit http://www.sdffafoundation.org.

–South Dakota FFA