Ford Recognized for Significant Contributions to American Farming

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford Motor Company receives the 2010 Distinguished Service Citation for outstanding contributions to the National FFA during a partnership that stretches back 62 years.

• Ford has awarded more than $6,000,000 in scholarships to FFA members since 1997.

• All National FFA Chapters are invited to participate in the award-winning teen safe driving program, Ford Driving Skills for Life

• Ford awards $100,000 in College Community Challenge grants to universities to encourage use of alternative energy in small farm operations.  

Ford's extensive involvement in the sustainability and future of American farming is being recognized today before the 55,000 attendees at the annual convention of the National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of America).  2010 marks the 62nd year of National FFA support by Ford Trucks, participating Ford Truck dealers and Ford Fund and Community Services.

The National FFA Organization is honoring Ford Motor Company with its Distinguished Service Citation for outstanding contributions to FFA and agricultural education over an extended period of time.  As the largest corporate sponsor of scholarships in the National FFA scholarship program, Ford has awarded more than $6,060,000 in scholarships to FFA members since 1997.  In addition, Ford supports the National FFA Chapter Award program, the National FFA Alumni and the National FFA Convention and Career Show.

A new element of the partnership involves the expansion of Ford's award-winning teen safe driving program – Ford Driving Skills for Life -- through the FFA National Chapter Program. Ford DSFL is a national safe driving program that focuses on the leading cause of teenage crashes and fatalities: inexperience.  FFA chapters are invited to use the Ford DSFL program to create safe driving promotions targeting peers in their community. In addition to hands-on events, DSFL offers learning tools on an interactive Web site including quizzes, car care videos, driving tip videos, interactive games and an enhanced eco-driving curriculum. Free educator packets are available for students, parents and educators.  

"Ford Motor Company has truly gone above and beyond for the FFA and for the farm community for more the six decades," said Glenn Sims, senior regional director, National FFA Foundation. "The 2010 Distinguished Service Citation recognizes Ford's many significant contributions to the FFA."

Also this week, two universities are receiving $50,000 Ford College Community Challenge Grants for research and implementation of pilot projects extending the use of alternative fuel technology in small farm operations.  Kettering University and the Harvesting Earth Educational Farm will research and implement practical and cost effective renewable energy resources to extend the growing season for a community greenhouse where local, underprivileged residents learn horticulture skills.  The grant to Florida A&M University will research renewable biofuels production and use on small farms through its StateWide® Small Farm Collaborative.

About Ford Motor Company and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is focused on building communities through partnerships that promote education, driving safety and quality of life in communities where Ford does business. Established in 1949, and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, the Fund's programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous, interactive learning experiences, and Ford Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused safe driving initiative. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, 20,000 Ford employees and retirees participate each year in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities in more than 40 countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members and 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st United States Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more information visit www.ffa.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company