Greetings from the Nebraska FFA Foundation!
As I write this message, the State Fair is going on in Grand Island, the Husker home opener is tomorrow and the beginning of Husker Harvest Days is just over a week away and let’s not forget the start of the school year. There is much activity for the Foundation and FFA Members this time of year. The Foundation’s fiscal year also begins on August 1st so we again are focused on fundraising activities that support FFA programming throughout the year.
Here are just a few of the activities we are currently focused on. On September 11th at Husker Harvest Days, there will be an auction conducted by Titan Tire for several sets of tires with the proceeds donated to the Foundation. Also, each Husker football game will include educational and promotional spots for the “I Believe In The Future Of Ag” campaign on the Husker Sports Network. The “I Believe” campaign will also have a local component that engages our local chapters. Last year, this campaign raised in excess of $250,000 for Nebraska FFA with much of the funding retained at the local chapter level. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of Nebraska FFA!
This past April, I attended the Nebraska FFA Convention as part of my duties on the State FFA Foundation Board. The 2013 Convention celebrated the 85th anniversary of FFA in the State of Nebraska. Much has changed over the past 85 years, but one thing has not, there continues to be amazing things happenting in Nebraska FFA. There are over 6,000 students in FFA in Nebraska with over 20 new FFA Chapters being established over the last 4 years. Members continue to receive valuable education in agriculture as well as leadership development skills and student project experiences. It is wonderful to see so much enthusiasm and momentum within our youth and agriculture.
Please take a moment to register and keep up to date on what is happening with the FFA Foundation in Nebraska. I also encourage you to continue to support our youth involved in Nebraska FFA. They are the future leaders of Nebraska’s #1 Industry – Agriculture! It’s a contribution that will pay dividends well into the future.
Judson J. Jesske, President
Nebraska FFA Foundation
