CoBank Partners with National FFA Foundation to support Living to Serve platform
CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States recently announced a multi-year sponsorship of the National FFA Organization’s Living to Serve platform.
The FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. A commitment to service has always been a core tenet of FFA and the Living to Serve platform supports that commitment by expanding engagement opportunities for FFA members at local, state and national levels.
Through Living to Serve, FFA chapters across the country are able to seek funding for a variety of service-learning projects through a competitive grant application process. CoBank’s three-year, $450,000 grant will support the continued expansion of this popular program, increasing the number of grants to FFA chapters seeking to address issues of hunger, health and nutrition; community engagement; community safety; and environmental responsibility.
“CoBank and FFA share a strong commitment to service and support for our nation’s rural communities,” said Thomas Halverson, CoBank’s president and chief executive officer. “Living to Serve is a tangible demonstration of that support. Through our sponsorship of this national program we hope to enable more FFA members to live that commitment every day and to make a difference in the communities they call home.”
“The last line of the FFA motto, Living to Serve, signifies the vital role that service plays in our organization,” said Michele Sullivan, senior team leader of local engagement, National FFA Organization. “The Living to Serve platform allows us to take that motto and turn it into action, empowering every student in every classroom to make a positive impact in their community. But, we couldn’t do this without the financial support of generous sponsors like CoBank.”
In addition to Living to Serve projects at the state level, CoBank is a proud sponsor of National FFA Days of Service, which are part of the organization’s national convention. FFA members participated in a variety of service projects that put their leadership into action, creating a positive impact throughout the city.
As well as its support of Living to Serve, CoBank also supports FFA through its contributions to Farm Credit’s community engagement programs. Farm Credit is an active supporter of FFA programs that are working to develop the next generation of farmers, ranchers and Farm Credit leaders.
