EAST BERLIN, Pa. — During the last 6 years, the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation has awarded over $96,000 in grants to FFA members, Agriculture Educators and FFA Chapters across the state through a program titled “Learning by Doing Grant.” The Foundation believes agriculture education students should have the maximum opportunity to grow and succeed, leaving high school as prepared as possible for the world ahead.
This year, the Foundation received a large increase in applications for the grant due to reasons that include cancelled livestock sales, eliminated annual chapter fundraisers, and decreased school funding due to transitions to virtual education. The Pennsylvania FFA Foundation was able to increase support to award $30,000 in grants this year. An increase of $18,000 in comparison to 2019 all thanks to companies like those listed. Building a legacy of support for hands on learning, the following companies joined the program’s initiative: Pioneer Seed, Farm & Home Foundation of Lancaster County, Ag Choice and MidAtlantic Farm Credit, Lancaster County Ag Council, Bell & Evans, and Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement.
“Throughout the years, agricultural companies have shown their continuing commitment to FFA members in Pennsylvania,” said Sarah Sparks, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation. “In today’s climate, we know every dollar is being stretched; the fact that these companies rise to the need by finding value in our members and our commitment to students and educators speaks volumes. Experience is often quoted as life’s best learning opportunity. Through this grant program the Foundation has been able to enhance curriculum, provide tools and equipment, and expand the ‘experience’ opportunities available in agricultural education classrooms.”
All funds allocated through the Learning by Doing grants are intended to make a lasting impact on the future of Pennsylvania’s agriculture education. The Pennsylvania FFA Association is a school-based youth leadership development organization of more than 13,000 student members as part of 151 local chapters across the Commonwealth. For more information visit www.paffa.org/ways-to-give
Congratulations to the following 2020 Learning by Doing grant recipients:
Ag Educators/FFA Advisors: Thomas Hojnowski
Anna Herman
John Siefert
Victoria Brown Brandon Witmer Doug Brown Tom Ritchey Kelse Brown
Phil Haussener and Claudia Brady
Kacey Rice
Melanie Berndtson
FFA Members/Supervised Ag Experiences:
Benjamin McElroy
Megan Garber
Jaylen Ray
Mackenzie Kerkeslager Abigail Mitchell
Jedda Levy
Cale Rice
Michael Lewis Tristen Foley
Chad Hoover Melanie Swendsen Abigail Camasta Allee Hoover
Adria Russell Ellis Turner Andrew Smith Molly Pifer Courtney Martin
Hailey Bucha Nicole Pierce Vita Failla
Jenna Smith James Patterson Natasha Maddox Brianna Grim
Local FFA Chapters: Otto-Eldred Bermudian
Athens
H.G. Parkinson Northeast Bradford Rockwood Headwaters Blackhawk
–Sarah E. Sparks, Pennsylvania FFA Foundation