Perdue Farms — a fourth-generation, family-owned U.S. food and agriculture company — is renewing its support of the National FFA Organization’s Give the Gift of Blue Program with a $20,000 grant. This program allows the National FFA to give jackets to its student members who would not otherwise be able to afford one their own.
This donation from Perdue, funded through the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, is part of the company’s Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors outreach, which is focused on improving quality of life and building strong communities.
“The National FFA Give the Gift of Blue Program is funded by corporations, individual donors and foundations, and we are grateful for their continued support,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “We always strive to make this program the most impactful, for the most students, as possible. To date, more than 15,000 FFA members have been gifted an FFA jacket thanks to donors like Perdue Farms and the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.”
FFA members are required to wear official dress, which includes an FFA jacket and scarf or tie, to participate in competitions and attend the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The FFA blue jacket, part of the organization since 1933, highlights the state and local chapter members represent and gives students a sense of belonging.
According to the FFA’s website, an $85 gift will provide a member with a jacket and a tie or scarf.
“FFA is an important organization for the future of agriculture and the next generation of farmers in this country,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. “The iconic blue jackets are a point of pride for FFA members. We are proud to provide funding to enable youth who cannot afford the jacket the opportunity to participate in a unique tradition.”
Other major donors that the National FFA Organization highlights for the to Give the Gift of Blue program include Corteva Agriscience, CSX, Valent U.S.A. Corporation and their parent company Sumitomo, Ram Trucks, Tractor Supply Co., John Deere, Elanco, and Don and Mira Ball.
