CHS updates

The CHS Foundation partners with National FFA Organization to support teachers and future ag leaders

Jenna Tollefson, student (left); Janelle Hueners, ag teacher (left), Detroit Lakes High School

Through the CHS Foundation's relationship with National FFA, ag teachers can help students find their passion in agriculture.

Dec 14, 2020

The CHS Foundation will commit more than $4 million over the next three years as part of our ongoing support of FFA, teachers and agricultural education.

The multi-year commitment will include annual funding for programs the CHS Foundation has had a history of supporting. These include the Teach Ag Campaign, which focuses on ag teacher retention and recruitment; educating students on the value of the cooperative system through My Local Cooperative curriculum; participation in proficiency awards and National FFA Convention; and support of 17 state FFA associations. New focus areas for the CHS Foundation include dedicated funding for students’ supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) and state officer leadership programs.

“By supporting FFA, we are living out our purpose and creating connections with the next generation that will empower agriculture far into the future,” says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation. “We are continuously impressed by the caliber of agricultural educators and students who are involved with FFA at all levels and look forward to sharing the impacts of this continued partnership across the agriculture industry and cooperative community.”

The CHS Foundation has supported National FFA for more than 40 years.

“This year, more than ever, agricultural educators across the country have shown how to be innovative and creative,” says Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “We are excited to see the CHS Foundation recognize the key role our educators play in creating the next generation of leaders. This generous donation will help us continue to fund the programs that helps us inspire our FFA advisors and teachers, as well as our students.”

To learn more about how the CHS Foundation supports programs like FFA that develop the next generation of ag leaders visit chsfoundation.org.