Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., has announced the recipients of the second class of FFA Future Leaders Scholarships, with 143 students from 35 states being awarded. The Tractor Supply Foundation, in partnership with the National FFA Organization, launched this scholarship program in 2022, committing $5 million over five years, making it the largest agricultural scholarship fund of its kind.
“Our second class of FFA Future Leaders scholars continues to impress, both through their academic achievements and their passion and commitment to Life Out Here,” said Marti Skold-Jordan, manager of the Tractor Supply Foundation and member of the National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board. “This group demonstrates a remarkable range of pursuits, from bioengineering and agricultural education to horticulture and agricultural mechanics, reflecting their desire to define their futures on their own terms. We are thrilled to support such an inspiring group and are eager to see what the future holds for them.”
The second class of FFA Future Leaders scholars highlights the increasing interest in skilled trades, an area in high demand. Eighty-nine $5,000 scholarships were awarded to students attending trade schools or two-year colleges, with a quarter of recipients intending to major in welding. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, spring 2024 undergraduate enrollment surged at community colleges with a strong vocational program focus, growing 17.6 percent over fall 2023 and surpassing pre-pandemic enrollment by 6.1 percent. Community colleges overall added 200,000 students from spring 2023 to spring 2024, including recipients of these $5,000 scholarships:
- Annalisa Gonzalez from Spring Valley, California, who is pursuing an associate’s degree in agricultural law at Cuyamaca Community College.
- Madison MacLeod from Mendon, Massachusetts, who is studying agricultural mechanics with the goal of becoming a diesel technician.
- Aiden McLemore from Spiro, Oklahoma, who is working towards an associate’s degree in engineering technology with aspirations of becoming a high voltage line technician.
Additionally, 54 students received $10,000 scholarships to pursue agriculture-related four-year degrees, such as animal science, agricultural business, and plant science. Recipients include:
- Devon Hulsey from Temple, Texas, who is studying agricultural business and economics at Texas A&M University.
- Macie McPeak from Ripon, California, who is majoring in plant and soil science at Oklahoma State University.
- Lance Willen from Burkesville, Kentucky, who is attending Western Kentucky University with plans to become a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.
Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to interview for career opportunities at Tractor Supply stores or distribution centers while pursuing their education. In addition, Tractor Supply has set aside internships at its Store Support Center in Brentwood, Tennessee, for scholarship recipients.
Destiny Barron, a member of the inaugural class of FFA Future Leaders Scholars, recently completed a summer internship with Tractor Supply’s marketing department. She is studying agricultural service and development with a minor in agricultural communications.
“The FFA Future Leaders Scholarship has opened so many doors for me,” Destiny said. “The scholarship itself has given me the financial support I needed to pursue my education, while the connections it created with Tractor Supply have led to this invaluable internship experience, enabling me to see firsthand the opportunities available after graduation.”
FFA Future Leaders Scholarships are funded by customer donations made at checkout, either in Tractor Supply stores or online at TractorSupply.com. The fundraiser for the next class of FFA Future Leaders Scholars will run from October 30 to November 10, 2024.
“Tractor Supply, a partner since 1985, continues to help FFA members on their paths to career success,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation and chief marketing officer of the National FFA Organization. “In year two, the Future Leaders Scholarship Fund is helping 143 FFA members become our future leaders in agriculture. We are grateful that Tractor Supply has chosen to support these students who are going into the trades and pursuing two- and four-year degrees
