INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A Nebraska business owner and former FFA member has established a major endowment to support the development of current and future FFA members.

Through use of a revocable trust, the Ron Grapes Family Broadening Agriculture Experience Fund will provide grants that FFA members can use to successfully complete their required supervised agricultural experience.

All FFA members are required to complete a project they conceptualize with the help of their teachers that involves them either owning and operating an agricultural-based business, getting an agriculture-based job or internship or planning and conducting an agriculture-related scientific experiment. This learn-by-doing project gives FFA members invaluable experience as they progress through their educational careers.

Grapes’ gift marks the first time in the 85-year history of that an endowment specifically supporting the organization’s supervised agricultural experience program has been established.

Nebraska FFA members are first in line to receive financial assistance through the new fund, according to specifics of the endowment. Students with the least agricultural background and students living in urban communities are next, followed by students with an interest in production agriculture. The endowment must be fully funded and earn income for a full 12 months before the first scholarship is awarded.

As a teenager, Grapes served as his FFA chapter’s vice president, competed in his state’s FFA meat judging contest and had the opportunity to attend Nebraska’s state FFA convention. Today, he is principle owner of Grapes Family Farms in Big Springs, Neb.

TUSTIN, Mich. — Once youth compete in a national judging contest, their obligations and journey is complete. In November, the Branch County Meats team was fulfilled with their silver ranking in the FFA Meats Contest and their 10th place team and earned honors in the 4-H Meats Contest. However, in February they decided to take their journey one step further – apply for the State 4-H Special Activity Award. At the 4-H Beef, Sheep, Swine workshop at Kettunen Center in Tustin, Mich., Samantha Griffith, Courtney Souva and Katie Walters found out that they could apply for a State 4-H Award. The requirements were to prepare a portfolio, fill out the application, and be interviewed if selected for state competition. The girls returned home and spent the next two days completing the portfolio and application with the help of their mothers, Kathy Griffith, Melissa Souva, and Wendy Walters. The portfolio was edited and proofread by Sally Stuby, Courtney’s grandmother, before it was submitted for county competition. A couple weeks later, the portfolio was returned with a note indicating that it was headed to regional competition. The team was excited with their achievement and then shocked to learn they needed to interview for the top award in May.

On June 20, Griffith, Souva and Walters attended 4-H Exploration Days and interviewed for the Special Activity award. At the State Awards celebration on Thursday, June 21, the girls found out their fate and were awarded a plaque and $100 for their efforts.

“The State 4-H award process was an awesome way for these individuals to complete their 4-H career in Meats Judging and put everything they learned into an educational format for others and to be recognized as one of Michigan’s 4-H best,” said Melissa Souva.

The 2011 Meats Judging team consisting of Samantha Griffith, Maritza Hernandez, Courtney Souva and Katie Walters as well as their coach, Melissa Souva are thankful to the individuals, organizations, and businesses that assisted with funding in 2011 as it had been non-existent due to lack of participation by a Michigan meats team in the past. The Michigan Pork Producers were a platinum sponsor as they donated $1000 for our Michigan team to compete. Gold sponsors donating $300-500 were: Dale & Sally Stuby, Michigan Meats Assoc., BACC FFA Alumni Chapter, and the Branch County 4-H Foundation. Donations of $100-$299 came from our silver sponsors including Loren Carlisle Agency (Farm Bureau), Ken & Sharon Klopfenstein, Fillmore Equipment, MI Cattlemens Assoc., Klopfenstein & Ware Meat Processing, Rusty & Vicki Smith, Virginia Oxenrider, Judy Carpenter, Bronson Pioneers 4-H Club, Shimp Excavating, Finkey Farms, and Schrader Livestock. Bronze sponsors donated up to $99 for the meats team and included: Lima Elevator, Norm and Lorna Souva, Jim & Lorraine Sygnecki, Harold Walters, Jim VanVorst, Leonard & Betty Kolcz, Jerry & Beth McCollough, Bogen Concrete, King Farms, and Ken & Nancy Stutzman. The support of family and these sponsors has made an impact on these youth and provided opportunities that many did not know were available.