Washington D.C.
July 9, 2009
Syngenta has committed
over $300,000 to support the
National FFA Foundation and its student leadership programs
in 2009. The alliance between Syngenta and FFA benefits students
by helping promote personal development, leadership,
communications skills, the pursuit of career options in
agriculture and more.
“The young people engaged in these programs are building skills
that will play a vital role in the future of agriculture – from
the production side to scientific discovery and leadership
positions,” said Vern Hawkins, head of U.S. Commercial
Operations for Syngenta and a member of the National FFA
Foundation Sponsors’ Board. “We are both proud of their current
efforts and excited about the promise of tomorrow.”
This year’s sponsorship from Syngenta helps fund state
leadership conferences, the collegiate FFA program, the national
collegiate agricultural ambassadors and the American FFA Degree
program. And, for the first time this year the sponsorship also
includes support for the FFA Agriscience Fair. Last year, more
than 470 students participated in the Agriscience Fair
competition in fields such as biochemistry, microbiology,
engineering, botany and environmental science.
“We are very pleased to extend our support of FFA to
agriculture’s next generation of leaders,” said Hawkins. “I am
confident many of these students will become influential leaders
in agriculture and contribute to innovations that will give
future leaders in the food and agriculture industry the tools to
keep pace with a rapidly growing world population and a
diminishing share of land and water resources.”
In addition to its $300,000 donation, Syngenta also supports the
FFA Blue Jacket program through a collaboration of Syngenta and
participating retail partners. For every $2,500 pledged by
retail customers, Syngenta matches the donation at the national
level and the National FFA Foundation provides an FFA jacket to
local chapters on behalf of participating retailers for
presentation to a new FFA member. In 2008, participating
retailers donated more than $100,000 through the Blue Jacket
program. Retailer participation in the second year of the
Syngenta and FFA Blue Jacket program is on the rise, with
contributions for 2009 expected to be double that of the
previous year. Syngenta appreciates the collaboration with their
retailer customers to make this program a success for FFA and
agriculture.
Syngenta has been a proud sponsor of FFA and its programs for 46
years.
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more
than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our
purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class
science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to
increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve
health and quality of life. For more information about us please
go to www.syngenta.com.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future
Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763
student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in
the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of
7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its
present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity
of agriculture and agricultural education. 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. Visit
www.ffa.org for more
information. |
|
