PhytoGen Best Yielders Donate FFA Jackets
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INDIANAPOLIS — PhytoGen Best Yielder members recently donated program points totaling more than $14,000 to the National FFA Organization Give the Gift of Blue program. Through the donation, PhytoGen cotton growers provided approximately 180 of the blue FFA jackets, along with ties or scarves, to complete the official attire.
“We extend our gratitude to PhytoGen and Corteva Agriscience for supporting the Give the Gift of Blue program. These funds will provide official blue FFA jackets to students who otherwise might not be able to obtain them,” said Molly Ball, National FFA Foundation president and chief marketing officer.
The National FFA Organization has more than 700,000 members, aged 12 to 21, in 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of those, only about half own their jackets.
“Many of us within PhytoGen are former FFA members, and we recognize the National FFA Organization’s valuable role in preparing students for careers in agriculture,” said PhytoGen Brand Manager Derek Racca. “We also recognize that the FFA jacket is a symbol of so much more, and we know firsthand the pride that comes with wearing the blue and gold.”
Among the 450 FFA members in the Houston, Texas, Independent School District (ISD), FFA jackets are often borrowed or passed down from siblings. Jamie Vayon teaches ag sciences and serves as an FFA advisor at Cesar E. Chavez High School in Houston ISD, the state’s largest school district. She agrees the iconic corduroy jacket is a symbol of personal growth and success.
“There’s a lot of pride in that blue jacket, and to have your own name on an FFA jacket builds self-esteem,” Vayon said. “We have kids who are active and have good grades, but they need a little help investing in the required official attire.”
Vayon and the three other Houston ISD ag teachers devised an essay requirement as a qualification for the free jacket program. Essay winners are then sized for the proper fit and later awarded their jackets in an official ceremony.
“It’s easy for kids to fall into the wrong things these days, and establishing this sense of accomplishment now can roll into furthering their success in life and their chosen careers,” Vayon said.
She explains the FFA holds multiple fundraisers to assist students with all their ag projects. Every year, they have three or four students who are gifted a jacket.
“The Give the Gift of Blue program is a huge help to us, and we appreciate all of the sponsors who make it happen,” Vayon said.
As a member of the PhytoGen Best Yielder program, cotton growers receive exclusive agronomic updates and resources to help them thrive. Racca explains that PhytoGen Best Yielder members gave up their own prizes to contribute to the jacket program.
For more information about the Best Yielder program, go to PhytoGenCottonseed.com/BestYielder or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
To donate to Give the Gift of Blue, or for more information, go to FFA.org/GiveBlue or if you have further questions, contact GiveBlue@FFA.org.
About PhytoGen
For 40 years, PhytoGen, the U.S. cottonseed brand of Corteva Agriscience, has helped growers thrive with cottonseed varieties that produce maximum yield and industry-leading fiber quality. Growers work smarter with the most advanced trait technologies, such as WideStrike® 3 Insect Protection and the Enlist® cotton trait. Join the discussion with PhytoGen on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or become a Best Yielder member. PhytoGen Seed Company is a joint venture between Mycogen Corporation, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC, and the J.G. Boswell Company.
About Corteva Agriscience
Corteva Agriscience is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry - including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019, and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.
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Contacts
Kacey Birchmier
Corteva Agriscience
515-535-6149
kacey.birchmier@corteva.com
Amanda Powell
Bader Rutter
770-356-1480
apowell@bader-rutter.com
The Cesar Chavez FFA Chapter of Houston, Texas, is one of many chapters across the United States that participates in the National FFA Organization Give the Gift of Blue program. PhytoGen Best Yielder members recently donated program points totaling more than $14,000 to help purchase the official garb.
*Photo courtesy of the Cesar E. Chavez FFA chapter.