The motto all FFA members learn includes the words, “Living to serve,” making service a core value taught to the more than 10,000 South Dakota high school ag education students through their FFA participation.

With state educational budgets becoming tighter, FFA chapters are forced to choose which worthwhile activities they can still participate in. Sometimes that means service projects do not happen.

The South Dakota FFA Foundation recognizes the value of local chapters’ learning projects and wants to enable agriculture education programs to focus on student and community development. As a result, the foundation provides up to $500 per chapter for service projects in their local communities.

“We want to grow community leaders for tomorrow by encouraging FFA members to take an active role in the betterment of their communities and find pride in the communities at the same time,” says, Gerri Ann Eide, executive director of South Dakota FFA. “These are valuable educational activities that impact agriculture education students for a lifetime." 

The following chapters received funds this fall for their service projects: 

These grants were made possible as a special project of the foundation. For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and the state’s FFA programs, visit sdffafoundation.org.

Source: South Dakota FFA Foundation