This summer, Farmland® launched year two of its Honoring the Heartland Tour to invest in the next generation of the agricultural industry, show appreciation to hardworking farming communities, and support neighborhoods rooted in the Midwest through protein-rich food donations. Earlier today, the tour stopped in Omaha to recognize two admirable Nebraska organizations.
During a presentation at Food Bank for the Heartland, Farmland made a $9,000 donation to the Nebraska FFA Association to support its mission and fund community service projects. With so many Nebraskans directly employed in agriculture, institutions like this are vital in creating the next generation of leaders and ensuring a positive future for the category.
“Young people are one of our greatest assets when it comes to the future of agriculture and localized farming in America’s heartland,” said Jessica Scarlett, senior associate brand manager for Farmland at Smithfield Foods. “Farmland is pleased to share this donation with the Nebraska FFA Association to support students in their endeavors as they strive to make a positive impact within their communities.”
“We are so grateful for the support of Farmland. Their donation to the Nebraska FFA Foundation will help students learn to be successful leaders and community members,” said Stacey Agnew, executive director for the Nebraska FFA Foundation. “With one in four jobs in Nebraska related to agriculture, this helps set our students up with the knowledge, skills, and interest needed to have a successful career in agriculture, food, and natural resources. Partners like Farmland are essential as we invest in over 12,000 FFA members and their advisors, to grow leaders, build communities and create career connections.”
In addition, Farmland is simultaneously working to keep Midwest neighborhoods strong by alleviating hunger. In its efforts, the brand teamed up with the National Pork Board, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and country superstar Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour to help fight food insecurity with a contribution of nearly 30,000 pounds of protein to Food Bank for the Heartland. With six Farm Tour stops across the Midwest this September (including a stop in Murdock, Nebraska), Farmland and the National Pork Board will be donating truckloads of protein to local food banks in Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota, totaling an estimated one million servings of protein.