FFA and Farm Journal Foundation Announce Major Grassroots Partnership to Fight Hunger

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- National FFA and the Farm Journal Foundation announced today that they would unite the efforts of National FFA Organization's Feeding the World—Starting at Home program with the Farm Journal Foundation's Farmer's Feeding the World initiative in a widespread, localized grassroots campaign across America to fight world hunger.

As part of this landmark partnership, Farmers Feeding the World, with matching funding from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, will provide a minimum of $500,000 annually to sponsor 130 local chapter grants in a new FFA grant program. "FFA: Food For All" will allow the more than 7,700 FFA chapters in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to apply for grants based on service-learning projects in which they initiate sustainable hunger programs in their local communities – or anywhere in the world.

In addition, FFA becomes a Cornerstone Partner in the broad-based Farmers Feeding the World educational and fundraising initiative in the fight against world hunger. The partnership will involve the sharing of educational materials and the co-promotion of educational and fundraising programs to millions of farmers and nonfarm consumers annually.

"Hunger is a global issue and we believe the collaboration of FFA and Farm Journal Foundation will be a significant force to ultimately eliminate hunger worldwide," said National FFA Foundation Executive Director Rob Cooper. "The global statistics are alarming. There are more than 925 million people in the world suffering from malnutrition and hunger, predominantly in Asia and the Pacific region and sub-Saharan Africa. In the U.S. alone, 44 percent of people live at or below the poverty level and can't afford food for themselves or their families."

"We couldn't be more excited about working this closely with FFA to fight hunger at the grassroots level," stressed Farm Journal Foundation Chairman Andy Weber. "FFA members are the future farmers, ranchers, scientists and agribusiness leaders who will feed our growing world population. Through this new partnership, FFA members will waste no time by starting to eradicate hunger in their local communities while they are still in school — and Farmers Feeding the World looks to help give them the tools they need to succeed."

About the Farm Journal Foundation

The Farm Journal Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to sustaining U.S. agriculture's ability to serve the vital needs of a growing world population with education and assistance focused on the unique interests of people and organizations aligned with U.S. agriculture. The Foundation houses Farm Journal's myriad advocacy initiatives such as the Farmers Feeding the World campaign and elements of the Farm Journal Legacy Project.

About the National FFA Foundation

The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that fund FFA activities, recognize member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agriculture education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of all sponsorship dollars received by the foundation support FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit the National FFA Foundation at http://www.ffa.org/donate.

About the Howard G. Buffett Foundation

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation funds humanitarian activities focused on agriculture, nutrition, water and conservation. In Africa, the foundation is helping address the food and agriculture needs of farmers through specific research initiatives and innovative programs such as local purchase for food assistance needs.

For more information contact:
Brian Harvey Hogue
Phone: 319.268.4352
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Farm Journal Foundation