Posted: 05.23.2011
The financial challenges being faced by the states school districts are getting a little help - if they offer agriculture education.
June 13-16 the Wisconsin State FFA Convention will unfold at the Alliant Energy Center Expo grounds in Madison - and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation will be presenting cash to keep agriculture education going.
At the 2011 Wisconsin FFA Convention the Foundation estimates they will award $53,000 to individual FFA members and $14,500 to FFA chapters in cash awards ranging from $50 to $800. These awards will be handed out for proficiency awards, career development events, the national chapter award, and many more. The Foundation also helps cover expenses at the convention by funding keynote speakers, receptions and meal functions, Day of Service event and School Officials Program, to name a few – these activities are estimated to cost $42,000.
Nicole Nelson, Executive Director of the Foundation says because of the support from the FFA Foundation, individuals are not charged a registration fee to attend the convention. In addition to the roughly $110,000 the Wisconsin FFA Foundation contributes during the Wisconsin FFA Convention, they have also awarded about $20,000 to individual FFA members at other times of the year through the SAE Grant and Post-Secondary Scholarship Programs and about $48,000 to state FFA programs throughout the year including leadership conferences, state officer support, plaques and trophies and more. The total value of the direct annual support contributed is about $180,000.
“Donors through the Wisconsin FFA Foundation really are making an impact for these FFA members. The state convention is the best way to see the impact in action,” said Nicole Nelson, Executive Director of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. “When you see these bright, talented youth who are the cream of the crop receiving very prestigious awards, donors can know that they are making it possible.”
Wisconsin has approximately 18,500 FFA members statewide.
Without the contributions through the Wisconsin FFA Foundation, the FFA would have to either increase member dues by 300% or increase the chapter affiliation fee by 240% just to sustain the current level of programs.
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