The longstanding partnership between the Iowa FFA Foundation and Kent Nutrition Group recently took a great leap forward as the animal nutrition company made its largest one-year gift to date, to agricultural education in Iowa.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: Receiving the generous check from Kent Nutrition vice president Mark Krieger (left) are Iowa FFA president Elisa Russ, northwest Iowa vice president Blake Lineweaver and Iowa FFA Foundation executive director Joshua Remington.

Kent Corporation and Kent Nutrition Group donated $20,000 to the “I Believe” Campaign — an Iowa FFA Foundation giving program. The program helps support the mission of the Iowa FFA Enrichment Center by raising $5 million toward the debt retirement of the facility’s construction. The ultimate goal is to help secure the future financial stability of agricultural education in Iowa. The campaign also helps enhance the visibility of individuals and organizations who firmly believe in the future generations of agricultural leaders in Iowa. A number of companies have through their generous gifts contributed to the effort.

Companies are encouraged invest in future of Iowa agriculture

“Young people are the key to a strong U.S. agriculture industry as we look to supply the food and fiber needed for our growing global population,” says John Thorpe, president, Kent Nutrition Group. “We are proud to be investing in the future of Iowa agriculture by sharing this gift with the Iowa FFA Foundation through the ‘I Believe’ campaign.”

The Iowa FFA Enrichment Center, located in Ankeny in central Iowa, not only serves as the home for the Iowa FFA Foundation and Iowa FFA Association, it is also an educational resource for FFA members, ag education students, and the Iowa FFA state officer team. Since its opening in 2010, the center also serves as a multi-use facility that hosts corporate and private events throughout the year.

Iowa FFA foundation wants to pay off construction debt

“We truly value Kent Nutrition Group as a longstanding partner of the Iowa FFA Foundation. The company has again illustrated its dedication to our students and members. Their gift will allow us to continue pursuing our long-term financial stability goals while dedicating more resources to educational programs and skills development activities,” says Iowa FFA Foundation executive director Joshua Remington.

Kent Nutrition Group officially presented the gift to the Iowa FFA Foundation during a ceremony at the FFA Enrichment Center. Receiving the check from Mark Krieger, Kent’s vice president of marketing, on behalf of the Iowa FFA Foundation were Remington, along with Iowa FFA state president Elisa Russ and Iowa FFA northwest state vice president Blake Lineweaver.

You can participate in this exciting new fund-raising program

“Kent Nutrition Group as part of the Kent Corporation family of companies is proud to support the Iowa FFA Foundation and the future of our youth and Iowa agriculture,” said Krieger. “We have deep roots in Iowa and with the FFA organization. This fundraising campaign for Iowa FFA is a perfect fit for us.”

You can show your support for the future generations of agriculturalists by donating to the "I Believe" campaign. Through this initiative, the Iowa FFA Foundation seeks to raise $5 million to retire the remaining debt on the FFA Enrichment Center. To learn more about how you can get involved with this exciting new program CLICK HERE.

About the Iowa FFA Foundation: The Iowa FFA Foundation encourages youth to pursue careers and leadership roles in the agricultural industry. The foundation is a non-profit organization that provides leadership activities, scholarships, incentive awards, ag education programs, and instructor workshops. The foundation’s objective is the preparation of Iowa’s most valuable resource—its young people—to help chart the future of our state’s largest industry.

About Kent Nutrition Group: Kent Nutrition Group is a regionally focused animal nutrition company in the U.S., delivering quality products based on a long-standing tradition of progressive innovation and dedication to livestock, equine and pet owners. It is a division of Kent Corporation, a family-owned, American company founded in 1927. The firm is represented by the Kent brand in the Midwest and the Blue Seal brand in the East. Kent and Blue Seal are dedicated to providing quality animal nutrition.