Tractor Supply awards $1,400 to Madison FFA

The Madison FFA chapter has been awarded $1,419 as part of the Tractor Supply Company’s third annual Grants for Growing program.

This year Tractor Supply stores nationwide raised a record $830,000 through customer donations to fund sustainable, youth- driven agriculture projects made possible by the initiative.

Madison FFA plans to use the funds to purchase additional field implements to be used in the Agriculture Department’s 12 acre Land Lab. This will allow the Madsion FFA greater flexibility in deciding what crops to plant, and when to plant their crops. This year the Madison FFA will be planting popcorn, sunflowers, cucumbers to pickle in the fall, pumpkins and decorative gourds. They also will be leaving portions of the field fallow with cover crops to rebuild soil health.

“This grant will enhance the hands-on learning opportunites that we are afforded here at Madison Central School,” said Madison FFA chapter reporter Emily Egan. “I enjoy the mixture of classroom learning, time in the field and opportunities for travel and leadership that the FFA gives to our students. The experiences that we get in the FFA are unlike any other school experiences I have ever known.”

Tractor Supply Company awarded 271 grants out of nearly 600 applications this spring to FFA chapters across the country that reqested funding to build or enhance educational projects that will further their students understanbding of agriculture. The Madison FFA project “Planting the Seeds for Success” was one of 12 projects in New York State that were funded this year.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 649,355 student members who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 225,891 alumni members in 1,934 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Tim Wright, assistant manager of the Hamilton Tractor Supply Store, presents Madison FFA reporter Emily Egan with a check for $1,419for the Grants for Growing award.