By SUSAN BLOWER
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Robert K. Cooper, Executive Director of the National FFA Foundation took some time with Farm World to discuss its sponsorship program. Cooper said investors like John Deere, the National FFA longest-tenured sponsor, are essential for the youth program’s mission of building tomorrow’s leaders.

FW: What has John Deere support meant to FFA over the years? How many years have they sponsored National FFA?

Cooper: John Deere is the National FFA Foundation’s longest-running sponsor with 67 years of support. This support has truly made a positive difference in the lives of our members as they not only support FFA financially but are also very engaged with the programs they sponsor. From working with the Farm Business Management Career Development Event to serving on the National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board, their involvement has been a great asset to our programs.

FW: What are the responsibilities of a national sponsor?
Cooper: A national sponsor provides financial support to sponsor or co-sponsor specific FFA programs focused on premier leadership, personal growth or career success. Depending on the specific program, there are multiple opportunities for visibility and engagement with FFA members, agriculture education teachers and other stakeholders. We encourage all of our national sponsors to be actively engaged in the programs they support. Many sponsors also attend the National FFA Convention to serve as judges in our national competitions, exhibit in the National Agricultural Career Show, and to participate in other activities taking place at this premier national event.

FW: How many national sponsors does FFA have? Are they all farm-related?

Cooper: The National FFA Foundation has approximately 900 national sponsors with support ranging from several-hundred dollars to $1 million dollars of annual support. Our sponsors represent all facets of the food and agricultural industries, including farming, as well as a number of industries outside of agriculture.
FW: How does FFA partner with companies? How do these companies benefit from a connection with FFA?

Cooper: The National FFA Foundation works with companies to understand their needs, goals and objectives in order to identify FFA and other agricultural education programs that would be a potential sponsorship fit for that company. As mentioned earlier, our hope is to not only receive financial support but also to help companies become engaged in the programs they sponsor. Each program has its own benefits in terms of specific visibility and engagement opportunities. However, as a whole, some general benefits of being involved with FFA include brand awareness to future consumers, a positive reputation with potential future employees, and ensuring a sustained future for the industry of agriculture.

FW: As FFA expands beyond its farm roots, how does this affect its relationship with sponsors?

Cooper: Farming is a part of our heritage and more than a quarter of our membership remains involved in production agriculture. Although there are more than 300 careers in agriculture, it all begins on the farm and that will always be an important part of our organization. In order to ensure that we are serving all of our members, we have expanded our programs to encompass all aspects of the agriculture industry, including some “non-traditional” areas. Our sponsors represent the full breadth of the industry and have been supportive of these efforts. Because sponsors support specific programs, they have the ability to focus on those that are of most interest to their respective business.