Tractor Supply Co.

MOUNT ULLA — West Rowan High School’s Future Farmers of America is one of only 17 chapters in the state to receive a grant from Tractor Supply Co.

Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, recently wrapped its third annual Grants for Growing program, which raised a record-breaking $830,000 for the National FFA Foundation. A total of 271 grants were awarded affecting nearly 30,000 students.

This year, North Carolina Tractor Supply stores raised $40,000 through customer donations to fund local, youth-led agriculture projects. West Rowan’s FFA was awarded a $1,356 grant to fund a mushroom log project.

Grants were awarded to FFA chapters that requested funding to build or enhance sustainable education projects that will further their students’ understanding of agriculture. 

“Grants for Growing not only allows us to invest in North Carolina communities but also invest in North Carolina youth who are the future of the agriculture industry,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply. “This program gives students hands-on learning experience as they watch their ideas turn their communities into stronger, more sustainable places.”

Between Jan. 10 and Feb. 14, the National FFA Foundation received nearly 600 applications from FFA chapters across the country detailing how they would start or expand a sustainable project. Coinciding with National FFA Week, Tractor Supply hosted a 10-day in-store fundraiser nationwide that offered shoppers the opportunity to donate at checkout in support of the program.

Many FFA chapters participated in additional fundraising at their local Tractor Supply stores to supplement donations, including bake sales and car washes.

Since the program’s start in 2016, Grants for Growing has raised more than $2.2 million for the National FFA. In total, the initiative has funded 994 grants supporting projects involving more than 103,000 students.