SD Agricultural Education and FFA History

Supporting a Legacy of Leadership

By Clark W. Hanson
Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Education, SDSU

Guest authors for this article are Gerri Ann Eide, Director and Gretchen Sharp, Assistant Director of the SD FFA Foundation. 

The South Dakota FFA Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that generates financial support for the 4,400 plus South Dakota FFA members in over 91 high school programs. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of agriculture industry leaders and key agriculture education instructors from each of the 7 SD FFA Districts, along with two past state FFA officers and state staff.  These individuals are the engine behind all the momentum. There is a part time Executive Director and Assistant Director. The South Dakota FFA Foundation helps fund leadership development programs and activities for all South Dakota youth in agriculture education, as well as scholarships and awards for successful FFA members.

Everything we do focuses on our vision to Grow Leaders, Build Communities and Strengthen Agriculture. The SD FFA Foundation started in 1973 with the first donors being the SD Pork Producers and GTA Feeds. A press conference occurred on November 21, 1974  with Richard Stoebner, President of the SD FFA and Clark Hanson, President of the SD FFA Foundation receiving a check for $1000.00.  Bob Bell served as the executive director from that time until 2001, when Gretchen Sharp became the director. She served in that role until 2010, when she became the assistant director and Gerri Eide, who currently serves in the position, was hired as director. The SD FFA Foundation board has conducted various fund raising projects – selling John Deere scale model tractors, a golf tournament, virtual races, raffle sales, and benefit auctions, however the focus of providing as much funding as possible to FFA members, chapters and the State FFA Association has never changed. Major programs supported include: State FFA Convention, South Dakota State Fair, FFA Jackets for Members, FFA’s New Era Newsletter, Leadership Retreats & Training, FFA Legislative Breakfast, District Officer Training, College Scholarships, State Officer Training, State Fair FFA Ag Adventure Center, Chapter Service Grants, Local FFA Program Support, Washington Leadership Conference Scholarships, National FFA Convention Travel Scholarships, & State Leadership Career Development Events.

Funding relies heavily on company and individual annual donations, although endowed gifts or legacy gifts that fund a particular program are becoming more popular. In 2011, the SD FFA Foundation started the SD FFA Star Partner program, which acknowledges that FFA and its members cannot excel without a strong Team AgEd. Team AgEd consists of agriculture education teachers, teacher preparation programs, alumni, postsecondary programs, adult farm management, and the SD FFA Foundation.  Star Partners recognize the value of each team ag-ed member, and make a major annual financial commitment to support all of Team AgEd. These partners have made a huge impact for SD FFA members by strengthening teacher training, recruitment and retention, classroom curriculum, ag advocacy events, postsecondary and adult agriculture education, as well as supporting FFA events.   
Whatever the amount, big or small, sponsorship with the SD FFA Foundation is a great way for businesses and organizations to create visibility and “co-brand” their products and services in the SD FFA and agriculture education marketplace and make a huge impact on the education of our SD youth.  It is also a great way for an individual to pay it forward or leave a legacy of growing leaders in agriculture. 

A quick glance at the past year shows what the SD FFA Foundation accomplished: 

• Started several new agriculture education programs in South Dakota
• Advocated for agriculture with new technology exhibits at the FFA Ag Adventure Center at the state fair.  
• Gave funds to local FFA chapters to build their programs and educational resources
• Supported regional leadership and career development events
• Provided state fair programming, district officer training, summer leadership retreats, State Leadership Career Development Events, state officer travel to chapters, state convention programming, and funds for instructor training
• Presented 319 FFA members their own jackets
• Awarded scholarships to graduating seniors, postsecondary ag students and student teachers
• Granted chapters community service grants for local projects
• Recognized outstanding Supervised Agriculture Experience programs, outstanding teachers, champion teams advancing to nationals, and Washington Leadership Conference attendees
• Hosted beginning teacher conference, alumni events, professional teacher development conference, iTeach U - a recruitment event for high school students considering agriculture education as a career
• Connected students with industry career opportunities and leadership development activities around the globe, building their leadership skills

It is because of donor sacrifices that we are able to support FFA members as we do. The SD FFA Foundation recognizing donors verbally at events, introducing donors to members, as well as with signs, press releases, interviews, newsletters, social media posts, and in our annual report. We believe this is a huge reason why over the past ten years, contributions and the impact we can make for SD FFA chapters and members has nearly quadrupled, with 2018-19 support from 450 donors at $384, 624.68. 

Although we are doing great things, and have come a long way, there is so much more for the SD FFA Foundation to accomplish. Our wish list includes provide more local program support, local community service project grants, additional state wide leadership experiences, training for advocating for agriculture, Supervised Agriculture Experience project grants, and scholarships. In addition, the cost of funding the programs we currently provide is continuously rising.  Doing the same thing for new students costs more.  We can achieve this with your help.  Your legacy… FFA’s future.

For additional information about the SD FFA Foundation contact: Gerri Eide, Executive Director, (605) 765-7865, gerri@sdffafoundation.org or Gretchen Sharp, Executive Assistant  Director, Gretchen@sdffafoundatin.org    39393 133rd St. Bath, SD 57427.