Tractor Supply Company, the largest U.S. rural lifestyle retailer with a new Moline location, kicked off its 11th annual Grants for Growing fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The competitive grant program empowers Future Farmers of America (FFA) students nationwide with hands-on learning experiences, They are designed to prepare them for careers in agriculture and skilled trades. Since 2016, Tractor Supply customers have contributed nearly $9 million in support of local FFA chapters.
Coinciding with National FFA Week (Feb. 21-28), customers can purchase a paper FFA emblem at checkout either in a store or online at TractorSupply.com until Sunday, March 1, the Brentwood, Tennessee-based retailer said in a Wednesday, Feb. 18, news release.
“We are incredibly grateful to our communities that show up year after year to support FFA,” said Chief Marketing Officer Kimberley Gardiner. “Grants for Growing helps create a lasting impact by opening doors for students to gain hands-on experience, pursue their passions and carry the values of hard work and service into their communities.”
Tractor Supply has been a proud partner of FFA since 1985. It has donated nearly $24 million through various initiatives to support FFA’s work preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.
In 2016, it introduced the Grants for Growing fundraiser. It raises money to provide grants to FFA chapters. Demand for skilled agricultural and technical careers continues to grow. Grants for Growing helps ensure students have access to the facilities, tools and experiences needed to succeed.
Beginning Tuesday, March 3, FFA chapters nationwide can apply for a grant of up to $5,000.
Grants impact FFA
Projects must fit into one of three focus areas, They are:
- Grow Your Classroom, in which funding can be used to support increasing students’ classroom knowledge,
- Grow Your FFA Chapter, in which funding can be used to support the development or expansion of an FFA chapter and leadership opportunities.
- Grow Your Ag Awareness, which must support the development or expansion of an agricultural literacy event or campaign.
The nearly $1 million raised in the 2025 campaign funded a variety of projects transforming local communities. They included:
- A new FFA barn in Milan, Michigan, where students can engage in hands-on animal care and develop veterinary skills.
- Development of a small poultry operation on the FFA farm property in Ignacio, Colorado. The project will take students through the process of raising chickens, ducks and turkeys. Poultry products will be sold to a local store to sustain the project.
- Overhaul of the agricultural power systems program through electrical, fluid, diesel, precision and mechanical system functions in tractors and small engines in Milford, Texas. Grant funds helped purchase materials to meet state teaching standards. I talso trains tractor technicians for career development events (CDEs) and real-world careers.
About Tractor Supply, FFA
Tractor Supply also supports FFA members through the FFA Future Leaders Scholarship program. Established in 2022, Tractor Supply committed $5 million over five years. That made it the largest agriculture scholarship fund of its kind. Through the fund, nearly 300 students have received scholarships to support their education at four-year universities, two-year colleges or vocational and trade schools.
To learn more about Grants for Growing, visit ffa.org/grants-for-growing.
Tractor Supply Company was founded more than 85 years ago. It serves the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners and pet enthusiasts. It is ranked No. 296 on the Fortune 500 list. The company employs more than 52,000 team members.
