RDO, FFA celebrate 50 years of women in FFA

Members of the Mandan FFA Chapter (left to right) Jaden Kuntz, Michaela Rebenitsch, Lily Griffin and Peyton Voigt receive FFA jackets as part of the 2019 Blue Jackets Bright Futures program.  260 corduroy jackets were given to North Dakota members and students in 2019.  RDO Equipment Co., announces a partnership with the ND FFA Foundation to sponsor all female jackets for the 2020 program.

Fargo-based RDO Equipment Co. announces a partnership with the North Dakota FFA Foundation (ND FFA Foundation) which results in a donation of all female FFA jackets given to North Dakota members through the Foundation’s program, Blue Jackets Bright Futures. The announcement comes on the heels of the 50th anniversary of women in the FFA, which was recognized on Monday, October 15th.

Each year, the ND FFA Foundation provides hundreds of blue FFA jackets to members who may not have the financial resources and/or to those who have displayed and demonstrated leadership qualities and personal growth, through their program Blue Jackets Bright Futures. Each jacket given through this program is sponsored by a donor, through a $74.00 contribution.  Any individual or organization can become a jacket sponsor.

To celebrate 50 years of the inclusion of women in the FFA, RDO Equipment Co. is donating all of the jackets given to female members of the ND FFA through this program. Last year, the program gave 260 members the iconic corduroy jacket.

“RDO has always been eager to support the North Dakota FFA and the meaningful work the organization is doing with the youth of our state,” says Steve Connelly, RDO Equipment Co.’s Vice President of Midwest Agriculture. “With 2019 marking 50 years of women in the FFA, it was important we take this opportunity to celebrate alongside the FFA and recognize such a meaningful milestone for this organization and the overall strong presence of women in the agricultural industry.”

“We are so thankful for this incredibly generous gift by RDO,” says Tommy Winders, Sponsor and Program Coordinator of the ND FFA Foundation. “The Blue Jackets Bright Futures program is very special to our organization and RDO’s gift highlights their genuine commitment to the importance of the agricultural industries and its women.”

To highlight this special partnership, all of the jackets given through RDO Equipment Co.’s sponsorship will feature a commemorative patch on the inside of the jacket signifying the partnership and celebration of 50 years of women in the FFA.

Applications to receive one of these jackets are open and available until November 15th.  Applicants can visit NDFFA.co/apply to apply.  If you are interested in sponsoring a jacket for $74, visit NDFFA.co/bjbf2020.