Seeds of Hope campaign to help gulf states FFA chapters

Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV, a 24-hour television network for rural America, donated $50,000 to the National FFA Seeds of Hope campaign to rebuild agricultural science education and FFA programs in the Gulf Coast states hit hard by Katrina. An estimated 120 FFA chapters and schools, 5,000 FFA members and their families, and about 150 agricultural education teachers experienced severe damage or total destruction to their homes, facilities and school projects, including human and personal property loss.

The surprise announcement was made by Orion Samuelson, host of FFA Live!, during the show's monthly broadcast Monday, Sept. 26, from the RFD-TV production studios in Nashville, Tenn.

Gottsch kept the donation a secret until the night of the show, which featured major coverage of Seeds of Hope and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts nationwide by FFA members. He said in a letter to National FFA President Jackie Mundt, "Please accept the attached check in the amount of $50,000 to help kick off tonight's FFA Seeds of Hope efforts to help rebuild FFA chapters and the affiliated people that were devastated by the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected by these disasters. There is much work to do. I have no doubt that FFA members can, and will, get the job done."

Gottsch also indicated RFD-TV would establish a Katrina Rural Relief Fund to provide a means for their audience to further support the National FFA Seeds of Hope effort. Mundt was thrilled and said, "Our stricken chapters and agricultural education programs in the Gulf States send our heartfelt thanks to you, and we look forward to a continued successful partnership with RFD-TV and FFA."

The National FFA Organization also received a generous donation of $10,000 from the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Camp located in Covington, Ga., an official Red Cross Disaster Site that hosted nearly 400 Katrina evacuees from New Orleans. Camp Director Todd Teasley presented the check to Mundt on FFA Live!

FFA Live! is broadcast monthly on the third Monday from 8 to 9 p.m. EST. In October, RFD-TV will broadcast 26 hours of live coverage of the 78th National FFA Convention, Oct. 26-29 in Louisville, Ky.

RFD-TV was launched in December 2000 and is the nation's first 24-hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America and agriculture. Produced and uplinked via satellite to all 50 states from Northstar Studios in Nashville, Tenn., the channel is distributed nationwide and carried by DISH Network, DIRECTV, Mediacom and NCTC cable systems. RFD-TV can be found on Dish Network channel 9409 and Direct TV channel 379.

More information about Seeds of Hope can be found on the National FFA website at www.ffa.org. Inquiries may be sent to seedsofhope@ffa.org.

FFA is a national youth organization of 490,017 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,210 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives 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.