Indianapolis, Ind. – Oct. 26, 2009 – When some 55,000 blue-jacketed FFA members from across the nation landed in Indianapolis last week for their National Convention, they had some great experiences—career and personal development events, leadership training, competitions, tours, fun, and more. They also learned about the importance of giving of themselves in service to their communities.

 

            On Thursday and Friday of the Convention, several FFA members participated in National Days of Service, doing volunteer work for one of ten community, cultural or non-profit organizations in central Indiana. The goal was to not only teach future leaders the value of community service, but also to prepare them to initiate similar projects in their home communities.

 

            This year Farm Credit Services of Mid-America sponsored Maplewood Farmstead for National Days of Service. The historic farmstead, which is located in the greater Indianapolis area, includes an 1870s farmhouse, two barns and outbuildings, and is being restored to its 1930s appearance to be used as an education and event facility. The vision of Maplewood Farmstead is to “preserve and tell the story of the American family farm during the Great Depression and develop a unique green space and oasis in suburbia.”

 

            “We were so excited to be a sponsor of this Day of Service site,” said Summer Goldman, Regional Vice President for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America in southwest Indiana. “These are challenging times in agriculture, and I can’t imagine a better way for young people to gain an appreciation for the strength and resiliency of American farmers and their families than by learning about farm life in the Great Depression.”

 

            Work performed by FFA members the previous two years has been instrumental in the restoration of Maplewood.   During this year’s work shifts, FFA members worked alongside FCS staffers doing landscaping, fencing and exterior cleanup to prepare the farmhouse and grounds for community events like children’s summer camps, fundraising dinners, receptions, and church meetings.

 

            “FFA has been an important part of my career and leadership development,” said Goldman. “I remember working on service projects when I was a high school student, and it really did make a lasting impression. It’s gratifying to be able to help today’s future ag leaders have similar experiences.”

 

            In addition to sponsoring the Days of Service, FCS supported the FFA National Convention by supplying over two dozen judges for proficiencies, participating in career and collegiate fairs, and erecting a billboard on I-65 featuring Indiana FFA state officers welcoming FFA members to Indianapolis.  During the convention, the National FFA also bestowed upon FCS the Distinguished Service Award, the highest award presented to an organization, agency or business by the National FFA.

 

FCS’s support of the FFA National Convention is just one of the agricultural lending cooperative’s many initiatives to support youth organizations like FFA, 4-H, educational scholarships, and programs that benefit young and beginning farmers.  Each year through its Greater Support for Agriculture program, FCS invests over $1 million for a wide variety of projects in America’s rural communities where its staff and member-owners work and live. For a complete list of sponsored projects, please go to www.e-farmcredit.com and click on the Community Giving link.

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $15.5 billion financial services cooperative serving over 85,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating equipment and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance, and vehicle equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

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