Residents of Box Butte and Grant Counties are asked to lend a hand to local FFA
Chapters in support of a statewide effort called “I Believe in the Future of Ag,” a
capital campaign for the Nebraska FFA Foundation.

“Box Butte County Farm Bureau is partnering with the FFA chapters at Alliance, Hemingford and Hyannis High Schools during this regional effort in December and  January,” said Box Butte County Farm Bureau President Mary Crawford of Alliance.

“Our board was asked by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, as one of
17 corporate sponsors, to say “I Believe in the Future of Ag” and the vibrant vo-ag education programs operating in our high schools,” Crawford said. “We are fortunate to have top-notch FFA and 4-H programs serving our area.

“Vocational agriculture is growing in Nebraska, including some school systems
such as Bridgeport Public Schools, which started an FFA program just this fall,”
Crawford said. “Now, there are 145 FFA chapters across the state.”

Agricultural-related businesses in Hemingford, Berea, Alliance, Ellsworth, Ashby, Hyannis and Whitman will be asked to assist with this effort by donating and sharing a “traveling” FFA display in their business over the next two months.

FFA chapters will receive 100% of their local donations, with enhanced gifts
from the Nebraska FFA Foundation. To donate, contact your local FFA chapter, watch for “I Believe in the Future of Ag” displays, call Crawford at (308) 762-4414 or go to www.neffafoundation.org

Crawford said earlier this year, Box Butte County Farm Bureau “emphasized its
belief in youth and the future of agriculture” by donating $5,000 to “Raise the
Roof” in support of FFA and 4-H’s new livestock barn at the Box Butte County Fair.