McLean County Farm Bureau awarded $21,200 in FFA Capital Grants for 2022 to help two local FFA chapters upgrade their facilities.
The Heyworth and Prairie Central FFA chapters will both use the grant funds to make improvements to their ag shops.
“We’re happy to help our local high school agricultural education programs upgrade their facilities and build capacity for future students,” says Mark Hines, McLean County Farm Bureau President. “With the McLean County Farm Bureau FFA Capital Grant program, our goal is to support the development of future agriculture leaders by maintaining strong local high school agriculture programs.”
Heyworth FFA plans to use their $15,000 grant towards the purchase of new shop tables with built in storage lockers.
“The opportunity to receive this grant helps us have the ability to update our shop area to provide more space for student projects as well as area to work and create a positive learning environment,” says Kara
Barling, Heyworth agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor.
Prairie Central FFA, based in Fairbury, will use their $6,200 grant for new shop tables, seating and a printer/copier.
“We plan to use these funds to build welding and work tables for our ag shop. Updated table space will provide additional learning opportunities and create a safe learning environment for students,” says
Becky Freed, agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Prairie Central High School.
The FFA Capital Grant program, established by McLean County Farm Bureau in 2021, is available to all high school agriculture programs that serve McLean County students.
The McLean County Farm Bureau Foundation also provides local FFA chapters the opportunity
to apply for up to $1,000 in matching grant funds each school year.
In 2022, LeRoy, Lexington, Normal Community, Normal West, Olympia, Prairie Central and Tri-Valley FFA Chapters each received $1,000 matching grants.
FFA is an integral part of high school agricultural education programs, providing leadership development and career exploration. To learn more about grant opportunities, click here.
