Tractor Supply Company, National FFA Foundation Announce “Grants for Growing” Program

July 22, 2015 | By Business Wire News

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.

Tractor Supply Company is excited to announce a new program that allows opportunities for local FFA chapters to make their communities a better place to live.

In partnership with the National FFA Foundation, Tractor Supply is offering the “Grants for Growing” program that will raise funds for local FFA chapter initiatives and will award minimum $500 competitive grants to participating chapters selected based on their local promotion efforts and how they propose to use the grant funding to aid their communities. While $500 is the minimum grant amount that will be awarded to selected chapters, there is no cap on the amount of funding that a chapter can choose to request for its project.

The deadline for local FFA chapters to sign up for this competitive grant process is August 21. If selected, chapters can use the funds in a number of ways to benefit their community including buying vegetation, trees, seed, chickens, feed, mulch or tools to help start or expand an FFA project that will continue for years to come. An in-store event on August 28 – September 6 will raise additional funds by allowing Tractor Supply shoppers to donate $1 at checkout.

Chapter advisors are required to complete the grant application, and eligibility will be based on the evaluation of how the money will be used, volunteer hours, and promotional activities during the fundraising period. The “Grants for Growing” application can be found at http://www.FFA.org/tscgrantsforgrowing.

The first-year program is only being offered in Indiana, South Carolina and Utah in 2015. All of the funds raised will remain within the state where it was raised.

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company operates more than 1,400 stores in 49 states. Located in the outlying towns in major metropolitan markets and in rural communities, Tractor Supply Company stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of merchandise for the health, care, growth and containment of horses, livestock and pets including select Purina and Nutrena brand feeds; hardware, truck, towing and tool products; and seasonal products, including lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys. In addition, the company sells work/recreational clothing and footwear for the entire family and maintenance products for agricultural and rural use. For more information on Tractor Supply, access the website at www.TractorSupply.com.

About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

About National FFA Foundation

The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.