By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The LeCroy Career Technical Center FFA has received a $1,000 grant from Tractor Supply Company and the National FFA Foundation.

Agriculture teacher Landon Lowery said the grant will be used to buy seed and fertilizer for the program’s county farm project.

“Our farm raises multiple crops including strawberries, tomatoes, cantaloupes, corn, squash, and watermelons. We use this farm to teach our students modern farming practices and we donate portions of produce to local feeding programs. Excess produce is sold at local markets supplement the program as well as fund other projects such as educational field trips and activities for our chapters” Lowery said.

This year Tractor Supply Company and the National FFA Foundation awarded $731,000 in the form of 316 grants through the Grants for Growing program. FFA chapters applied for funds for “student-driven agriculture projects that will benefit their communities and FFA chapters for years to come. ”

“Tractor Supply customers and team members are proud to support Grants for Growing and the FFA because they truly believe an investment in agriculture education is an investment in our communities,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply Company.

Donations from Tractor Supply customers were collected from Feb. 17 through Feb. 26 to fund the grants.

“Many FFA chapters participated in additional fundraising opportunities at their local Tractor

Supply stores. Students greeted customers and held their own promotional events, including bake sales, car washes and more,” according to a press release.

“The Grants for Growing applications we received this year proved that FFA advisors across the country are tuned into the specific needs of their school or community FFA chapter,” said Lisa White, director of store marketing at Tractor Supply Company.