Iowa FFA Association receives $5,000 donation from Farmland

by | Jul 6, 2021 | 5 Ag Stories, News

On June 30, Farmland made a $5,000 donation to the Iowa FFA Association as recognition for the organization?s positive impact in communities throughout the state. The gift was part of the 2021 Honoring the Heartland Tour, an initiative launched by Farmland in June that aims to support the next generation of farmers and show appreciation for the honest work and tireless commitment in Midwest farming communities, agriculture industries, and retail establishments.

The 13-week mission will honor the unsung heroes of the agriculture food chain and highlight the key role the heartland plays by delivering sack lunches and donating money to support the future of farming. The Farmland Honoring the Heartland Tour food truck will complete two to three stops per week in neighborhoods across the Midwest. Additionally, Farmland will make donations to the National FFA Organization and state-level FFA associations during the tour to aid them in their mission to grow leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture at the local, state, and national levels.

The $5,000 donation will go towards the Iowa FFA Association?s mission to develop premier leadership, personal growth, and career success in its more than 16,400 members throughout the state. With 1 in 5 Iowans directly employed in agriculture, organizations like the Iowa FFA Association are essential in creating and developing the next generation of ag leaders and ensuring a bright future for the industry.

?Farmland is humbled to share this donation with the Iowa FFA Association so they can continue to be a prominent influence in the agricultural sphere by offering valuable real-world information and opportunities to its student and alumni chapters,? Erin Thacker, brand manager for Farmland at Smithfield Foods, said. ?Farmland is committed to supporting localized farming in America?s heartland to provide customers with high-quality, flavorful products they can trust and feel good about. The donation today honors the brand?s appreciation for the crucial role our partners in this industry play for not only our products, but our nation?s food supply.?

?We are thankful for Farmland’s ongoing support of the National and State-level FFA Organization’s missions,” Molly Ball, chief marketing officer for the National FFA Organization and president of the National FFA Foundation, said. “We’re happy to join in honoring the unsung heroes of farming and agriculture, many of whom are former FFA members.”

The Farmland food truck also provided meals to farmer leaders and employees of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) as part of the donation event at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. A strong supporter of the Iowa FFA Association, the ISA was recognized for delivering opportunities and results for the state?s 37,000 soybean farmers by building demand for Iowa soybeans, enhancing production and conservation through the Research Center for Farming Innovation, and providing information in a timely manner to help farmers increase their productivity and profitability.

If you?d like to learn more about the Honoring the Heartland Tour and see where it goes next, check out Farmland on Facebook (@FarmlandFoods), Instagram (@farmlandfoods), or Twitter (@FarmlandFoods).