RDO Equipment Co. is celebrating 50 years of the inclusion of women in FFA, with a special partnership with the SD FFA Foundation. RDO Equipment Co. is donating 175 jackets for female members of the SD FFA through the Foundation’s Blue Jackets Bright Futures program.
The blue corduroy FFA jacket has been an iconic symbol of the national FFA organization since 1933, when delegates to the national convention voted to make the jacket part of the organization’s official attire, thus creating the long-standing tradition.
Each year, the SD FFA Foundation’s Blue Jacket Bright Futures program provides hundreds of FFA jackets to members who may not have the financial resources as well as to those who have demonstrated leadership qualities and personal growth. Last year, the program awarded the iconic corduroy jacket to 332 members from 63 chapters. Each jacket is sponsored by an $80.00 donor contribution. Any individual or organization can become a jacket sponsor.
“The positive impact the SD FFA has on the youth of South Dakota is something we wholeheartedly support, not only as members of the agriculture industry, but as members of our community,” said Brook Stephens, RDO Regional General Manager. “As we celebrate 50 years of women in the FFA, we’re proud to have the opportunity to recognize and support the role women play in shaping the agriculture industry, today and in the future.”
“We are so thankful for this incredibly generous gift by RDO,” says Gerri Ann Eide, Executive Director of the SD FFA Foundation. “The FFA jacket unifies our members in a long-standing tradition. The Blue Jackets Bright Futures program is special, as it provides members their own jacket, reminding them that they are part of something larger than themselves. RDO’s gift highlights their genuine commitment to the agricultural industry and the importance of women in agricultural careers.”
SD FFA members can apply to receive one of these jackets through the South Dakota FFA Foundation until September 20, at https://bit.ly/2Ql0hhN. If you are interested in sponsoring a jacket for $80, visit http://sdffafoundation.org/.
Photo 1: Grace Harden and Maria Schaefer, members of the West Central FFA Chapter, help Hanna Lee to put on her new FFA jacket as part of the 2019 Blue Jackets Bright Futures program.
Photo 2: Platte-Geddes FFA members are all smiles after receiving jackets through the 2019 Blue Jackets Bright Futures Program. Back- Grayson Hanson, Jackson Neuman, Caden Foxley, Taylor Larson. Front- Ashton Summerville, Jayden Johnson, and Addy Boltjes. 332 corduroy jackets were given to South Dakota members from 63 FFA chapters in 2019. RDO Equipment Co., partnered with the SD FFA Foundation to sponsor 175 female jackets for the 2020 program.
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