By MELISSA HART

Michigan Correspondent

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Put another mark in the win column for the Indiana FFA, as it raised $3,000 more than last year – ending at just under $21,000 – during the annual auction in conjunction with the Fort Wayne Farm Show on Jan. 16-17.

“The auction began several years ago at the Fort Wayne Farm Show as a way to partner with companies in the northeast part of the state where we have a large number of FFA chapters,” explained Lisa Chaudion, executive director of the Indiana FFA Foundation.

At the suggestion of Tradexpos, the farm show’s management, the first FFA auction was a huge success so has been a mainstay at the show ever since. Area businesses and trade show exhibitors donate all kinds of items for the auction. This year one of the most popular items was a set of skid steer tires donated by Titan Tire.

“We had a lot of farmers who were interested in those tires, and that really helped keep people at the auction on Wednesday,” Chaudion said. “We had a great variety of interesting items including hotel packages, gift bags and one dealership brought in a pedal tractor for the auction. So, we had items for every age group.

“We received donations not only from those participating as vendors at the farm show but supporters who wanted to help by donating items to the auction.”

The dollars raised will help Indiana FFA enhance leadership development within its programs across the state as well as build more scholarships for students to be able to attend its statewide camps and conferences. With FFA membership at an all-time high in Indiana of 12,500, Chaudion pointed to the diversity of curriculum and varied programs offered through ag science and FFA.

“We aren’t just about production farming anymore,” she said. “People are really desiring our kids to graduate with those grounded skills that can put them right into the workforce. And our ag education component provides those hands-on experiences. Also, the leadership piece that FFA offers is a part of that – it adds diversity to the student’s portfolio.”

Looking forward, the Foundation is trying to pay off its Indiana FFA Leadership Center in Johnson County. This conference center is where the state officers live while they serve their one-year terms and it is also where they hold FFA leadership conferences and camps throughout the year.

“It’s our 50th anniversary in owning the leadership center and we are really wanting to have the stamp ‘paid in full’ on our mortgage,” said Chaudion. “We are very near reaching that goal and we invite anyone who would like to support Indiana FFA to contribute toward that goal.”

For details on how to donate, visit www.inffa.org or contact her via lchaudion@inffa.org or 317-878-4178.