Midwest Ford Dealers Recognized as Five-Star Sponsor of Kansas FFA

Kansas FFA Foundation - August 19, 2008

Midwest Ford Dealers to Contribute to Leadership, Recognition and Scholarship Programs

MANHATTAN, KAN. (August 19, 2008) - Midwest Ford Dealers has committed more than $10,000 in support of the Kansas FFA Foundation to contribute to the leadership and educational success of Kansas FFA members. The donated funds will sponsor the Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Proficiency award, help members to attend Washington Leadership Conference and, through partnerships with local dealers, offer scholarships for higher education to FFA across the state of Kansas.

In addition, Midwest Ford Dealers served as the title sponsor of the Inaugural Summer Conference Golf Tournament held August 3, 2008, at Braeburn Golf Course in Wichita, Kan. The tournament is part of a leadership and skill development event for Kansas agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors.

The "Built Ford Tough" Ford Trucks/FFA Scholarship program is a partnership with local Ford dealers that provides $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in the local dealers' sales territory. In 2008, the following nine local dealers awarded scholarships to students in their areas: Beckman Motors, Garnett, Kan.; Cox Motor Co., Inc., Pleasanton, Kan.; Danny Zeck Ford Lincoln Mercury, Leavenworth, Kan.; Dick Edwards Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., Manhattan, Kan.; Foster Ford Mercury, Holton, Kan.; Merle Kelly Ford, Inc., Chanute, Kan.; Midwest Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Hutchinson, Kan.; Pittsburg Ford-Mercury, Pittsburg, Kan. and Reedy Ford, Arkansas City, Kan.

Midwest Ford Dealers and the Kansas FFA Foundation hope to expand this program by increasing involvement of dealers across the state. If all Kansas dealers participate, the program would provide more than $50,000 in scholarship funds to Kansas FFA members.

"We believe investing in the development of our state's future leaders is one of the most important ways we can support the communities in which we do business," said Les Eck, Chairman - Midwest Ford Dealers. "The Kansas FFA provides high school students with opportunities that challenge them and develop the skills needed to succeed and we are delighted to support them in that effort."

Ford and FFA share a long tradition of support and partnership. For nearly 60 years, Ford Motor Company has been a sponsor of the National FFA Organization, and, in 2007, Ford was the first corporate partner to be recognized as a Platinum Star sponsor by the National FFA Foundation. Platinum Star sponsors are businesses who make annual gifts greater than $1 million.

"The support Midwest Ford Dealers has offered to the Kansas FFA Foundation demonstrates their commitment to positively influencing youth, education and the environment. Kansas FFA members and their instructors will benefit from financial support and new opportunities to build leadership skills, gain knowledge, and achieve personal success," said John Niemann, chair of the Kansas FFA Foundation Board of Trustees and vice president, beef pricing, sales and business management for Cargill Meat Solutions.

With more than 500,000 student members, the National FFA Organization is a youth program that helps to prepare future agricultural leaders for careers in science, business and technology of agriculture. The Kansas FFA Association has a membership of more than 7,300 and chapters in 165 high schools throughout the state.

The Kansas FFA Foundation supports the quality of agricultural education programs, rewards FFA members and advisors, and builds support from FFA alumni, parents, and friends. By developing and sustaining collaborative relationships that result in financial support and service opportunities, the foundation has established a vision to serve a purpose, give with passion, and grow the legacy.