AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide distributor and manufacturer of agricultural equipment, AGCO Finance and AGCO-affiliated dealerships across the country provided more than $100,000 for 67 scholarships in support of local Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapters and the 2018 National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program.
“It is always a great source of pride to AGCO, AGCO employees and our dealers to contribute to such a worthwhile program,” said Clint Erickson, AGCO regional director of sales and FFA Sponsors' Board Member. “As a former Conrad High School FFA member in Conrad, Montana, I can say firsthand, as a recipient of a local FFA Alumni Scholarship, these investments into Future Agriculture leaders will pay huge dividends for our industry in the future.”
AGCO’s support for the National FFA Collegiate Scholarship Program began in 2011 and involves financial contributions from local dealers and AGCO. The financial support is just one way the company and its employees express their appreciation and support for FFA and today’s youth. AGCO is also involved at the National FFA Convention & Expo each year and enlists the Gilbert, Iowa, High School FFA Chapter to help with the company’s Farm Progress exhibit near Boone, Iowa. These activities extend a 72-year partnership between the National FFA Organization and the company’s brands, one of the longest standing partnerships of FFA.
“The FFA shaped my high school career and my experiences through it will continue to lead me on my path in college and my career. I am so thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and be able to continue my education. I will be able to study what I am passionate about and hopefully use my education to better the planet and the creatures that live on it,” said scholarship recipient Crista Bain.
AGCO, AGCO Finance, and AGCO Dealer-sponsored scholarships make up just a few of the 1,840 scholarships awarded by the National FFA Organization to 2018 high school graduates and select college students. This year, students shared a total of more than $2.6 million contributed by sponsoring companies. FFA received more than 8,800 applications in the 2018 award period. The average recipient has a GPA of 3.78 on a 4.0 scale and awards were based on academic records, FFA achievements, leadership, and other school and community activities. Supervised Agricultural Experience programs and future goals also were considered.
This is the 34th year for the FFA scholarship program, which began in 1984 with only 16 scholarships offered. The full list of FFA 2018 scholarship results can be found here: https://www.ffa.org/participate/scholarships
AGCO extends its best wishes to all scholarship and grant recipients and success academically and professionally in the years that follow.