Pictured at the check presentation (from left) in the front row are: Tammy Boggs; Ed Boggs; Lindsey O’Hara; and Ron Harter, Brodbeck Seeds district sales manager. In the second row are: Lynnette Markley, FFA chapter advisor; Coltin Brumfield; Kole Komdeur; Jacob Semonis; Haley Wickens; and Noah Ault. In the third row are: Dakota Koontz; Anne Rego; Bryan Thompson; Cole Troutner; Sydney Susaraba; and Rob Hays, FFA chapter advisor.
(Photo provided)

Brodbeck Seeds and farmer Ed Boggs presented the Warsaw Community High School FFA chapter with a $500 donation March 11.

The chapter has earmarked the funds to support its participation at the 2014 FFA state convention in Indianapolis. Between June 16-19, Warsaw Community High School FFA chapter members will participate in a variety of competitions, leadership and educational programs during the state convention, which attracts 10,000 FFA members from throughout Indiana.

The donation originated from a Brodbeck Seeds raffle drawing held at the 2014 Fort Wayne farm show. The drawing has become an integral part of Brodbeck Seeds’ annual participation at the show according to Ron Harter, district sales manager.

“The next generation of farmers will be vital to ensuring the survival of agriculture. Brodbeck Seeds believes it’s very important to support opportunities that promote agricultural education and leadership,” said Harter.

FFA participation is a long-term way of life for farmer and Brodbeck Seeds customer Ed Boggs. As a youth, he was a member of the WCHS FFA chapter and his two sons were also active in the chapter.

“Young people represent the core of our industry and they are the farmers who will feed the world in the years to come,” Boggs said.

The WCHS FFA is led by two faculty advisers, Lynnette Markley and Robert Hays. FFA leadership and education extends far beyond the boundaries of the farm, according to Markley. “During the state convention, our students learn about public speaking, leadership, vet science and many other aspects of agriculture. The donation will offset some of the expenses involved in travelling to the show and participating in various competitions,” she said.

Markley added that corporate support underscores the importance of farming to the world’s future.

“Getting companies to connect their work with feeding the world is the key to making young people see the connection between farming and our world’s need to feed a growing population. You literally see the light come on when companies come into the classroom and show how their work connects to people’s lives,” Markley said.