ATHENS, TN – Valley Farmers Co-op recently awarded $1,250 to 8 local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters. The money, totaling $10,000, was given in partnership with lending cooperative CoBank as part of its Sharing Success program. 

Under “Sharing Success,” CoBank will match contributions by its cooperative customers to the nonprofit organizations of their choice on a dollar-for-dollar basis, from a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of $5,000. Since the program’s inception in 2012, Valley Farmers Co-op and CoBank have jointly given $20,000 to area FFA chapters. 

Chapters that received funds include: Kingston FFA at Roane County High School, Lenoir City FFA, Loudon FFA, McMinn Central FFA, McMinn County FFA, Meigs County FFA, Midway FFA, and Polk County FFA. 

“I know I speak for all of the benefitting chapters when I say, this donation will make a lasting impact on our program,” said Curtis Trew, Polk County FFA advisor. “We cannot thank Valley Farmers Co-op enough for their support.” 

FFA members representing each of the 8 chapters visited their local Co-op location to receive the check from Co-op employees. Travis Crisp at the Athens location, Brandon Houston at Harriman, Scott Roberts at Decatur, and Derald Wright at Loudon hosted FFA advisors and members at their respective stores. 

“We are proud to support agricultural education and FFA because we realize these young people represent the future of the agricultural industry and the future of our community,” said Travis Crisp of Valley Farmers Co-op. “Chapters will use these funds for a variety of uses, including: attending state and national FFA conventions and purchasing equipment and supplies for use in their program.” 

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 606,510 FFA members, ages 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of more Tennessee Tech University, Box 5034 Cookeville, TN 38505-0001 

than 13,000 members from 213 high school chapters, 7 middle school chapters and 8 collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee.

(Photo caption 1 (2014.Trew.Crisp.20141124): Polk County FFA advisor Curtis Trew (left) received $1,250 from Valley Farmers Co-op on behalf of the Polk County FFA Chapter. Travis Crisp (right) of Valley Farmers presented the check, which is 1 of 8 checks presented to area FFA Chapters.) 

(Photo caption 2 (2014.Meigs.County.FFA.20141124): Members of the Meigs County FFA Chapter accepted a check from Decatur Valley Farmers Co-op representatives Megan Currence and Scott Roberts. From left to right: advisor Brandon Cobble, junior Kaley Meadows, sophomore Nathan Penrod, Megan Currence, and manager Scott Roberts.) 

Tennessee Tech University, Box 5034 Cookeville, TN 38505-0001