Avalon Middle School FFA Chapter receives Grants for Growing Funding from National FFA Organization

The Avalon Middle School FFA Chapter in Orlando, Florida has been awarded $4657.00 as a part of the Grants for Growing program. The nationwide program, sponsored by Tractor Supply company, provides grant funds to local FFA chapters to support the development or improvement of agricultural education projects that enhance the classroom experiences for students through chapter engagement activities.

Avalon Middle School FFA plans to expand the poultry science program at the school, by purchasing and building additional coops and cages for the poultry section of the land lab. This will enable the program to expand their laying flock of hens, and provide additional opportunities for student purebred poultry projects. The additional coop space and bird capacity will ensure that more students will have access to poultry for hands-on learning of poultry science, and will provide a sustainable income through the local farmer’s markets.

The Grants for Growing program provided approximately $548,000 to 165 FFA chapters in 47 states just this year. Funding is provided through consumer donations made during checkout at a Tractor Supply Company store by purchasing a $1 FFA Paper Emblem. The fundraising period aligns with National FFA Week in February.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, person growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 700,000 student members who belong to one of the more than 8,600 local FFA chapters through the U.W. and Puerto Rico. The organization is also supported by more than 8 million alumni and supporters throughout the U.S.