Twenty-seven Indiana FFA chapters are receiving a combined $100,000 investment in agricultural education through a new grant program designed to strengthen classroom instruction, expand hands-on learning opportunities and prepare students for careers in Indiana’s agriculture industry.
Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation and in partnership with the Indiana FFA Foundation, announced the inaugural recipients of its Focus on the Farm: Applause to AG grant program. The initiative will provide funding to FFA chapters across northern Indiana for projects that give students greater access to practical agricultural experiences, leadership development and career-building opportunities.
The grants come at a critical time for agricultural education, as Indiana’s agriculture industry continues to depend on a well-trained pipeline of future professionals equipped with the technical knowledge, leadership abilities and problem-solving skills needed to meet the demands of a changing industry.
The 27 funded projects reflect the diversity of modern agricultural education, with investments supporting everything from greenhouse improvements and animal science programs to agricultural mechanics, food science, student-led businesses and participation in leadership conferences and agricultural competitions.
Other projects will help chapters cover travel expenses and provide classroom enhancements, giving more students opportunities to participate in experiences that might otherwise be beyond their reach.
“Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of Indiana’s economy and way of life, and today’s students will help shape its future,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO president and chief operating officer. “We are proud to support FFA chapters that are creating meaningful opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, explore career pathways and gain real-world experience. These grants are an investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders and in the rural communities that help drive our state’s success.”
For Indiana FFA members, those opportunities extend well beyond the traditional classroom. Access to modern equipment, hands-on projects and industry experiences helps students connect what they learn in agricultural education programs with the real-world demands of farming, agribusiness and related industries.
The investment also recognizes the important role FFA chapters play in developing tomorrow’s workforce. From agricultural mechanics and animal science to business management and leadership, students are gaining experience in the wide range of career pathways that support Indiana agriculture.
27 Indiana FFA Chapters Receive Funding
The inaugural Focus on the Farm: Applause to AG grant recipients represent 25 counties across northern Indiana.
The selected chapters are:
- Adams Central FFA – Adams County
- Angola FFA – Steuben County
- Bremen FFA – Marshall County
- Carroll FFA – Carroll County
- Caston FFA – Fulton County
- Clinton Central FFA – Clinton County
- DeKalb FFA – DeKalb County
- Elkhart Community FFA – Elkhart County
- Fremont FFA – Steuben County
- Heritage FFA – Allen County
- Indiana Ag & Tech FFA – Jasper County
- Kankakee Valley FFA – Jasper County
- Lakeland FFA – LaGrange County
- Lowell FFA – Lake County
- Maconaquah FFA – Miami County
- North Newton FFA – Newton County
- NorthWood FFA – Elkhart County
- Northwestern FFA – Howard County
- Norwell FFA – Wells County
- Oregon-Davis FFA – Starke County
- Rensselaer FFA – Jasper County
- South Central FFA – LaPorte County
- Southern Wells FFA – Wells County
- Tri-County FFA – White County
- Wawasee FFA – Kosciusko County
- Western FFA – Howard County
- Westview FFA – LaGrange County
The $100,000 commitment represents an investment not only in individual FFA chapters, but also in the communities and agricultural businesses that will depend on these students as they enter the workforce.
By helping remove financial barriers and expand access to hands-on agricultural education, NIPSCO and its partners are working to ensure more Indiana students have the resources and experiences needed to discover their potential and become leaders in the state’s agricultural future.
Additional information about the Focus on the Farm: Applause to AG program is available at NIPSCO.com/AgSupport.
