Donations as part of the Culver's Thank You Farmers initiative, which began in 2013, have topped $1 million, the restaurant chain said this week.

The money supports the National FFA, local FFA chapters and a variety of local agricultural organizations.

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"Culver's has depended on family farms since opening its first restaurant in 1984. From the cattle ranches of the Great Plains to the dairy farms of Wisconsin, Culver's remains committed to sourcing the finest ingredients America's family growers have to offer," the company said in a statement.

Donations as part of the Culver's Thank You Farmers initiative, which began in 2013, have topped $1 million.

"Culver's has turned its gratitude into full-fledged support of today's farm families, while helping ensure the future of the next generation of farmers, biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs."

In 2015 alone, $360,000 was raised for local FFA Chapters, the National FFA Foundation and other agricultural organizations. This included money from donation canisters, percentage of sales donations, sponsorships, as well as a "Scoops of Thanks" day (where $1 Scoops of custard were sold Aug. 8) and other events and activities.

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"We are excited to see the enthusiasm with which guests have welcomed 'Thank You Farmers,'" said David Stidham, vice president for marketing at Culver's and newly appointed member of the National FFA Foundation Sponsors' board of directors. "We're deeply grounded in the farms that produce the dairy and grow the food that has made Culver's what it is today."

"Culver's and FFA provide a great partnership that supports agriculture education in our local communities," said Todd Greenwood, Director of Corporate Giving at the National FFA Foundation. "We appreciate that Culver's recognizes the hard work and dedication of farm families."

Source: Culver's