Breaking Down Barriers

Many past FFA members fondly recall their first time traveling beyond their county line, meeting an industry leader at a conference who later became their supervisor, or immersing themselves in another culture’s agriculture. They have lasting memories that stand out as FFA experiences that shaped who they became.

Some FFA members face financial barriers to participating in the National FFA Convention & Expo, Washington Leadership Conference, International Leadership Seminar for State
Officers (ILSSO) and other pivotal events during FFA membership.

As a result, they could miss out on transformational moments such as competing at the national level, attending conferences to learn about personal growth or traveling abroad to experience leadership development.

However, thanks to donors and corporate partners, more members than ever are engaging with the National FFA Organization through the National FFA Student Engagement and Travel Assistance Grants program.

Ariana Mota of the Stewarts Creek FFA in
Tennessee received one of these grants in 2024, enabling her to attend a National FFA Next Gen Conference in Texas focused on
agricultural communications.

At the conference, open to FFA members who are high school juniors and seniors, Mota and fellow attendees toured agribusinesses, met with industry leaders, learned about pursuing successful careers in agricultural communications, and planned for life after high school.

It takes around 12 hours to drive more than 700 miles to Fort Worth, Texas, from Stewarts Creek, Tenn. Expenses on a trip like this would also include housing, registration, meals and more — not to mention fuel or plane tickets for transportation.

In a message to National FFA supporters,
Mota said, “I would love to thank you for all
of your immense support for members like me to gain all these experiences and have
the opportunity.”

National FFA supporters contribute funding for the grants to reduce or eliminate financial hardships, removing those barriers so that many FFA members and chapters can take advantage of these life-changing opportunities.

Ford Motor Company is a National FFA
Foundation corporate partner and a top
contributor to the Student Engagement and Travel Assistance Grants.

Todd Eckert, Ford truck product marketing and brand manager and National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board member, said, “Ford is proud to fund travel assistance grants to enable FFA members and chapters to experience more
of what FFA has to offer.”

Eckert continued, “Some of the most transformative leadership development and production agriculture programs and events happen at the National FFA level. Ford is committed to helping make those accessible to as many FFA members as possible.”
Members are awarded the grants through a competitive application process based on need, and their advisors can make recommendations.

At the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, Screven County FFA Advisor Nancy Sell stressed the importance of grant funds for her Georgia chapter.

“We’re a Title 1 school … a lot of times finances are an obstacle for our students to be able to participate,” Sell said. “I always want to try and help them either remove obstacles or help them hurdle them to get past so that they can make the most of what FFA has to offer.