FFA fundraiser underway

The Tractor Supply Co. store in El Centro is participating in a nationwide fundraiser on behalf of grant programs through the National FFA Foundation.

As of Monday, the rural goods supplier began selling shirts celebrating the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo. The limited edition FFA convention-themed shirt sells for $12.99 (plus tax) at Tractor Supply stores nationwide. Net proceeds from the shirt sale benefit the National FFA platforms Living to Serve and Alumni Legacy Grants.

This year the annual fundraiser shirt features the 2018 FFA Convention theme “Just One.” According to the National FFA Officer Team, the theme was chosen to recognize the importance of each FFA member and each step they take toward growth — a reflection of the work completed by its members and the organization’s vision of developing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

More than 380 Living to Serve projects in 45 states were funded since last year alone. The initiative provides opportunities for FFA chapters to seek funding to support four types of service projects: community safety; hunger, health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; and community engagements.

Alumni Legacy Grants are fulfilled with the purpose of growing the number of local FFA alumni chapters, improving the quality of existing chapters and providing more opportunities for partnership between FFA chapters and chapters for alumni and supporters. Since 2017, more than 60 Alumni Legacy Grants have been awarded to alumni and supporters chapters located in states across the nation.

In 2017, Tractor Supply’s annual shirt fundraiser generated more than $215,000 for the National FFA Foundation, which inspires young adults to become active leaders in their communities through participation in agricultural programs and initiatives.