The Tattnall County farming operation that’s already helped cultivate $150,000 in scholarships is headed into its sixth year.
The Growing America’s Farmers program by G&R Farms in Glennville was created by third generation farmer Walt Dasher. It connects regional and national retailers for the purpose of propelling sales while simultaneously providing scholarships for students in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. FFA coaches youth on planning careers in production agriculture.
For participating retailers, G&R Farms sets aside a percentage of all sales and then makes a matching contribution that is donated to the National FFA Foundation in the participating retailer’s name. Those funds will be redirected back to state and local FFA programs of the retailer’s choice.
This year, the program is recruiting additional retailers, expanding the use of social content, and hoping to provide more scholarships than ever.
And the timing couldn’t be better because National Agriculture Month is just around the corner!
“As a third-generation family farm, this is about more than marketing and promotions, this is a personal mission that hits at the heart of who I am and what I stand for,” G&R Farms Vice President Walt Dasher said this week. “As professionals in the food industry, even as consumers, we should all recognize how important it is to support, foster and inspire the next generations of producers who will not only grow our food, but also elevate our food systems. This is how we will be able to secure our ability to have access to one of the safest, most accessible food supplies in the world.”
The 2021 sponsorship program officially kicks off in March for National Agriculture Month but is available year-round for any retailer to participate in.