Pictured (from left to right): Mrs. Hope Ashburn, agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor, agriculture students and FFA members, Dr. Larry Ziegler, principal, John Tollett, loan officer with River Valley AgCredit, Shea Weaks, marketing manager with River Valley, and Debbie Ballard, regional lending manager with River Valley.
From partner farms to guest speakers willing to give their talents, to the local agricultural community as a whole, the Marion County FFA Chapter, supported by the new Veterinary and Animal Science Program of Study, at Marion County High School has been blessed with tremendous support.
Just as a willingness to share facilities, time, knowledge, and more are important parts of any program’s success, financial support is another important ingredient in the overall recipe for success. River Valley AgCredit has not only recognized the need but has taken big strides to help fill it.
In December the lending organization donated more than $700 toward the purchase of a set of classroom FFA jackets and other items of Official Dress that students enrolled in the program at MCHS must sometimes wear to FFA events, competitions, and activities. But, wanting to do more, the organization later reached out about a second, larger donation to help get the new program on its feet. That is when John Tollett, a loan officer with River Valley AgCredit’s Pikeville, Tennessee branch emailed the high school’s agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor, Hope Ashburn regarding another donation.
“Not long after I had emailed John my thank you note as well as thank you notes from my students for the original donation he emailed back about the desire of the organization’s President and CEO, Kyle Yancey, regional lending manager Debbie Ballard, and himself to give even more money to the program,” Ashburn says. “I was almost speechless when they told me the amount was $7,500. That kind of donation can go a long way and benefit the program for several years.”
Just some of the uses for the funding that will directly benefit the students before the end of the current school year are a possible day trip to the FFA State Convention scheduled for March in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, an FFA Greenhand initiation ceremony, and participation in some FFA competitions. The organization will be sharing more about its activities during National FFA Week, February 17 – 24.
According to River Valley AgCredit’s website, they are a federally-chartered, locally operated agriculture credit cooperative serving western Kentucky and eastern Tennessee. They have been a part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, providing financing for agriculture and rural living since 1916. “I personally know AgCredit’s value to the local farming community and I am grateful for their support,” says Ashburn.
Yancey, who was scheduled to attend the first check presentation date that was canceled due to snow and ice, had this to say in letter addressed to Marion County FFA. “Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, I am unable to meet you all and personally deliver this contribution. I would like to congratulate Marion County High School on receiving $7,500 to help enrich the future of your FFA Chapter. FFA is such an integral part of the agricultural community and to us at River Valley AgCredit. As long as our Association remains profitable, it will always be our mission to ensure that local FFA chapters are supported. On behalf of all of us at River Valley AgCredit, Congratulations! We look forward to seeing your program continue to succeed.”
“River Valley is thankful to assist FFA and it is our privilege to help support this worthwhile organization,” says Shea Weaks. marketing manager, who attended the presentation on Yancey’s behalf.
For more information contact Marion County High School’s Hope Ashburn. Call (423) 718-6241 or email hashburn@mctns.net.
The Marion Tribune – February 1, 2024
