McLean County Farm Bureau donates $15K to Heyworth FFA program

Posted on August 24, 2022
The FFA program is using the funds for shop upgrades. (Photo courtesy: Heyworth FFA/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

HEYWORTH – The McLean County Farm Bureau is helping a local FFA organization with a large donation just ahead of the harvest season.

The organization announced a $15,000 FFA Capital Grant for Heyworth High School students for shop upgrades.

“This opportunity to receive this grant helps us have the ability to update our shop area to provide more space for student projects as well as area to work and create a positive learning environment,” Heyworth FFA Advisor Kara Barling said in a release. “We appreciate having the wonderful support of the McLean County Farm Bureau for our agriculture program.”

The FFA Capital Grant program was established in 2021 and is available to all high school agriculture programs that serve McLean County students.

“We’re happy to help our local high school agricultural education programs upgrade their facilities and build capacity for future students,” Mark Hines, McLean County Farm Bureau President, said in a release.

The funding also provides support for new shop tables and storage.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…