Kansas FFA members receive business start-up grants
The Kansas FFA Foundation has awarded 40 grants of $500 each to Kansas FFA members to help expand and improve supervised agricultural experience projects across the state. The investments—totaling $20,000—will support student-led, hands-on learning in animal systems, plant systems, agribusiness, and technical pathways.
The grants were made possible through the support of corporate and community partners, including Pinnacle Bank, Central Valley Ag, Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, MFA Oil, Harris Crop Insurance, Kansas Soybean Commission, Kansas Corn Commission, United Bank & Trust, and Allan and Deana Sents.
“The Kansas FFA Foundation is proud to partner with businesses and organizations to invest directly in student education and entrepreneurship,” said Beth Gaines, executive director of the Kansas FFA Foundation. “These $500 grants help young people purchase equipment, improve facilities, and grow projects that teach responsibility, technical skills, and leadership — preparing them for careers in agriculture and related industries.”
The following is a listing of grant winners by FFA chapter:
Arkansas City FFA—Adelya Ball and Reed Clawson
Beloit FFA—Lane Jones
Blue Valley FFA—Ella Hoeltzel, Lila Sullivan, Steven Taylor, and Evea Dunstan
Burlington FFA—Alonna Rodgers
Buhler FFA—Kayli Snyder
Caney Valley FFA—June Thornton and Hadley Fields
Chapman FFA—Carleigh Abeldt, Katie Stoffer and Roper Woods
Cheney FFA—Jocelyn Frith Koerner
Cherryvale FFA—Regan Edwards
Eudora FFA—Pete Neis
Ellsworth FFA—Molly Ehrlich
Jayhawk-Linn FFA—Cooper Lanham
Junction City FFA—Elisabeth Smith
Labette County FFA—Charles Black, Adyson Gatton and Caleb Merrick
Lakeside FFA—Landon Baetz
Manhattan FFA—Landon Kerr
Marmaton Valley FFA—Shelby Sprague
Marysville FFA—Jacob Behrens
Mission Valley FFA—Kailynn Jacobson
Nemaha Central FFA—Ryker Dalinghaus and Ben Sudbeck
Riley County FFA—Carson Nemechek
Riverton FFA—Rylee Heistand
Rock Creek FFA—Maryn Grady
Spring Hill FFA—Emma Kaiser
St. Paul FFA—Brant Oplotnik
Ulysses FFA—Keeler Baker • Bria Havel
Washington County FFA—Tanner Baker and Zoe Sawin
Skyline FFA—Kami Hemphill.
