Tractor Supply raises big money for FFA

Tractor Supply Company said that its stores recently raised a record $830,000 through customer donations to help support the Grants for Growing program, which helps fund youth-driven agriculture projects.

This spring, Tractor Supply has also awarded 271 grants impacting more than 30,000 students in FFA chapters across the country that requested funding to build or enhance educational projects that will further their students’ understanding of agriculture. Donations ranged from power tools and hydroponic systems to fencing, vegetation, livestock, poultry and feed.

“An investment in agricultural education is an investment in the agriculture leaders of tomorrow,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply. “Grants for Growing is one of our key donation sponsorships that allows us to foster students’ growth by giving educators the resources they need to make our communities stronger, more sustainable places.”

Between Jan. 10 and Feb. 14, FFA received nearly 600 applications from FFA chapters across the country detailing how they would start or expand a unique and sustainable project. Coinciding with National FFA Week, Tractor Supply hosted a 10-day in-store fundraising event nationwide, which offered shoppers the opportunity to donate at checkout in support of the program.

Since the program’s start in 2016, Grants for Growing has raised more than $2.2 million for the National FFA Organization. In total, the initiative has funded 994 grants supporting projects involving more than 103,000 students.

Celebrating its 80th year, Tractor Supply operates 1,700 store in 49 states and is the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States.