Smithfield Foods donates $50,000 to support North Carolina FFA Center
The North Carolina FFA is comprised of nearly 20,000 members and engages more than 1,900 students through its summer camp program at the North Carolina FFA Center each year.
October 18, 2018
Source: Smithfield Foods
The North Carolina FFA program is getting a boost thanks to a $50,000 donation from Smithfield Foods. The money will help support the expansion of the North Carolina FFA Center in Bladen County, including the construction of a new female dormitory and additional facility upgrades.
“Additional dormitories and facility improvements will allow us to meet the housing demands and provide clean, temperature-controlled restroom facilities for our members,” says Gerald Barlowe, North Carolina FFA state agricultural education leader. “Smithfield’s generous donation will help us make these improvements a reality so that we can continue to educate North Carolina youth on the importance and growing diversity of the agriculture industry.”
The North Carolina FFA is comprised of nearly 20,000 members and engages more than 1,900 students through its summer camp program at the North Carolina FFA Center each year. The growing number of female students interested in agriculture and leadership development has created a critical need for dedicated housing for female members. Providing 72 additional bed spaces will increase opportunities for student participation and facilitate unique leadership development experiences. It is expected that more than 500 female campers will attend camp each summer as a result of the expansion.
“The North Carolina FFA Center is a tremendous asset to our community and we’re proud to contribute to their growth,” says John Sargent, general manager of the South Central Hog Production Region for Smithfield Foods. “Smithfield Foods has a strong commitment to support the communities we call home, and we are thrilled to be able to prepare students for leadership, personal growth and career success through this unique agricultural partnership.”
Smithfield’s support of the North Carolina FFA Center aligns with its commitment to contribute to the vitality of the communities where its employees live and work. In the state of North Carolina, the company has more than 10,000 employees across seven facilities and 200 company-owned farms.
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