The Sweet Home FFA (Future Farmers of America) Chapter recently received a $100,000 grant from AgWest during the 2024 Linn County 4-H Fair.
This grant was brought to the attention of the chapter’s leader, Scott Jacobson, by a member of their advisory committee. Jacobson applied for the grant as the FFA Chapter was in need of a new vehicle, and the application was reviewed by the AgWest board along with other applications.
According to a press release, AgWest Farm Credit awarded grants to 52 different organizations totaling $3,065,050. Those organizations are based throughout the western US, including Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, California, Washington and Oregon.
“Supporting our rural communities is vital to the continued success of agriculture,” said Mark Littlefield, President and CEO of AgWest. “We thank our [Local Advisory Committee] members for dedicating their time and providing essential input that guides our giving and ensures funds are used to make a significant impact in the communities they support.”
The AgWest LAC is a group of AgWest customer-members who are entrusted with providing local community feedback to the AgWest Board of Directors and leadership team, according to their press release. Over the past several months, LAC members identified worthy organizations, compiled and reviewed a robust list of impactful projects, and recommended local organizations to receive awards.
Now that the SHHS FFA chapter has received their funds, discussions must take place before the funds are spent. According to Jacobson, these funds are to be spent on an SUV-style vehicle for their Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
“[It’s] going to help the AG program immensely,” Jacobson said.
This vehicle will allow for transportation to events, and will help represent the chapter, community and school. Many of the CTE departments have trailers that are currently unable to be used due to the lack of a vehicle large enough to tow them.
“I think it’s going to be a really big game changer,” Jacobson said. “It’ll be great for our program and our students.”
The exact vehicle is still yet to be decided as the grant was awarded during the summer. Once school begins, the chapter will begin discussing how the funds will be spent on the exact vehicle.