CHS Foundation Funds FFA Programs in 15 States
Students in participating states will see funding for FFA conferences, contests, and agricultural career programs.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Financial Aid
Live Poll
Do you trust big companies' charitable donations to make a real difference?
The CHS Foundation has awarded $4.5 million in grants to the National FFA Organization, funding FFA programs across 15 states. The announcement was made November 9, 2026.
Why it matters
The grants support conferences, contests, and a workforce development program that connects students with agricultural careers, which can shape how young people in agriculture-focused programs access leadership training and career pathways. The funding also supports the National Association of Agricultural Educators in recruiting ag teachers and building local programs.
The CHS Foundation awarded $4.5 million in total grants to the National FFA Organization, which serves 1,053,847 student members. The funding reaches FFA programs in 15 states, including Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
The players
CHS Foundation
The philanthropic arm of CHS Inc., a major agricultural cooperative, which funds youth agriculture and workforce programs.
National FFA Organization
A school-based youth leadership organization with 1,053,847 student members and 9,591 local chapters nationwide.
National Association of Agricultural Educators
The professional association of agricultural education teachers that works to recruit ag teachers and build local programs.
The details
The grants are awarded as part of a longstanding partnership between the CHS Foundation and the National FFA Organization. The money supports conferences and contests that give students hands-on leadership experience. It also funds a workforce development program that connects students with agricultural careers, and supports the National Association of Agricultural Educators in recruiting agriculture teachers and building local programs. Because the grants flow to the national organization, local FFA chapters in participating states are the places where students encounter these programs.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: CHS Foundation announces the $4.5 million in grants to the National FFA Organization.
Education Landscape
The grants extend a longstanding partnership between the CHS Foundation and the National FFA Organization rather than marking a new program. Private funding of this kind supports school-based career and technical education that feeds agricultural workforce pipelines.
If you are a student considering agricultural education, ask your local FFA chapter or school agriculture teacher which state programs and conferences are supported by these grants. Students interested in agricultural careers can also ask their school's counseling office about FFA membership and leadership opportunities.
The takeaway
Private foundation grants can expand access to leadership and career programs for students in agriculture. Students interested in these opportunities can ask their school's agriculture teacher or FFA chapter how to get involved.
Further reading
For more on how scholarships and grants like these are awarded, see Financial Aid.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO.
Live Poll
Do you trust big companies' charitable donations to make a real difference?
