FFA Forever

About Future Farmers of America (FFA)

The FFA is an organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

They are committed to providing the highest quality educational, leadership and career development opportunities for students:

Through effective classroom education; developing minds for future opportunities and critical thinking.

Through competitive, career-based activities, preparing students for objective problem-solving; And through team-based leadership experience, building a better tomorrow.

As an agricultural cooperative, owned by local farmers and ranchers, Wilco invests in farming, famers/ranchers, agricultural education and the lifestyle of rural living families.

We know that developing leadership qualities in our youth is an integral part of securing the success of our communities, businesses, and lifestyle in the future. With that goal in mind, Wilco and many of its vendors have joined forces to support Oregon, Washington and California FFA in the roles they play in the development of our youth.

2012

Year FFA Forever Program started

$150000

Raised yearly for FFA

$1.6 million

Total raised since program inception

$80000

Yearly contribution towards junior livestock auctions

What is FFA Forever?

FFA Forever is Wilco’s ongoing campaign to raise funding and awareness for FFA in states that Wilco serves. FFA Forever is made up of several events and fundraising activities throughout the year where Wilco, our vendor-partners, customers and employees have combined to help raise over $1.6 million to date for FFA.

The program started in 2012 shortly after Oregon FFA lost state funding. Wilco and several other ag-focused organizations, like Les Schwab, agreed to help privately fund the Oregon FFA Foundation; and FFA Forever was born. Our customers are the driver behind what we do, so we decided to split the funds raised based on the percentage of customers and added Washington & California FFA to the program as well.

Since it’s inception, the FFA Forever program has raised over $1.6 million to benefit FFA. These funds help support the state FFA organizations but a significant portion is also earmarked for local chapter grants so a large portion of the dollars directly benefits as many kids and programs as possible.

FFA Forever funds come from the following sources and activities:

Wilco Co-Op Members

Silent auction held at Wilco’s Annual Member Meeting each spring.

FFA Gift Card Contest

Current FFA students submit photos and the winning three are selected and converted into a Wilco Gift Card that are available for purchase at any Wilco Store location. Wilco then donates 10% of the value of those gift cards purchased through the FFA Forever campaign back to FFA itself.

August is FFA Month in Wilco Stores

Customers can donate to FFA throughout the month at any Wilco store and Wilco will match each donation $1 for $1 up to $25,000.

Vendor-Partners contribute towards FFA during the month long event and we recognize and thank them throughout the month, encouraging customers to support and purchase from the community-focused brands.

Wilco Team Members

Team members can donate vacation time at the end of the year that Wilco converts to cash as a donation to the FFA.

Additionally, we’re happy to try and bid on as many animals as possible at over 25 county fairs and contribute more than $80,000 per year towards junior livestock auctions benefiting both FFA and 4H Youth.

The FFA Forever Campaign is an ongoing effort in these difficult economic times to provide financial assistance and public awareness for the FFA and our youth involved in its programs. Please join us in supporting FFA!

Gift Card Contest

Grant Request

Video-Reel Challenge

Events throughout the year

January

FFA Gift Card Contest! Open to all active Oregon, Washington, and California FFA Members. Winning artwork will be turned into a Wilco Store gift card which will then be sold in ALL Wilco Farm Stores.

March

Wilco farmer-owners are also a big part of the FFA Forever program. At the Annual Meeting each year a silent auction is held. Items donated by teams and vendor-partners are auctioned off during the meeting with proceeds going to FFA.

Stop by and say “hi” to us at the Oregon and California FFA State Conventions! Visit with Team Members and learn about other opportunities with Wilco.

May

Stop by and say “hi” to us at the Washington FFA State Convention! Visit with Team Members and learn about other opportunities with Wilco.

August

August is FFA Forever Month in all Wilco Stores! Stop by to support FFA all month long or donate online. We’ll be collecting donations from our customers at the registers and online at farmstore.com– all of which goes right back to the FFA Foundations to help fund programs like the Wilco-FFA Grant Program!

November

Wilco Team Members are also a big part of FFA Forever. Not only do they help put on FFA fundraising events, but towards the end of the year, employees can donate their Paid Time Off (Vacation Days). Wilco converts the time-off days to a cash donation towards FFA Forever.