Norris FFA Chapter / Norris Agriculture Education Classroom Receives Funding Through Local Chapter Grant Program

Firth, NE – Several Nebraska schools are set to receive funding through the Nebraska FFA
Foundation grant program. The Norris Agricultural Education Classroom was awarded
$20,400 to assist with 3 projects. The first project is the purchase of a Scotchman Iron Worker. The second was the purchase of a new cooling wall and shade cloth system for the greenhouse. The third project was the purchase of materials for agriculture literacy backpacks to use in our elementary and intermediate schools.

The grant program, in its 9th year, supports Nebraska agricultural education classrooms, FFA programs, and school-based enterprises. The selection process is based on an application that requires a clearly defined financial need for a new or existing project, along with an outlined budget, timeline, and other criteria. Funds are provided by the Nebraska FFA Foundation in collaboration with its general fund donors, endowments, sponsors, and legacy gifts.

“Our board worked many years to develop sustainable funding to provide this annual grant program. There are many programs in need of more financial support to develop career-ready students in agriculture, and awarding these funds will give students in these schools some of the resources necessary to reach their full potential,” said Stacey Agnew, Nebraska FFA Foundation Executive Director.

The Scotchman Iron worker is able to shear and punch metal as well as cutting of angle iron coping of roundstock metal to assist with welding fabrication skills and projects. This will allow students to use industry standard equipment and become proficient in the use of this machine so they can transfer these skills to real world applications.

With the greenhouse purchases we are modernizing our greenhouse with a durable plastic evaporative cooling system, pest-reducing insect screening, and a new shade cloth roller system. These upgrades replace outdated equipment to create a cooler, healthier, and more efficient environment year-round. The improvements will give students hands-on experience with industry-standard environmental controls while helping them grow higher-quality crops
throughout the school year.

To expand agricultural literacy in our community, our Norris FFA Chapter is creating hands-on learning backpacks for local elementary and intermediate classrooms. Each kit features a children’s agriculture book, state-aligned lesson plans, and complete STEM activity supplies. Our members will use these backpacks during classroom visits, and teachers can check them out for independent use- building on the success of our National FFA Week visits to give young students year-round exposure to modern agriculture.

“Norris Agricultural Education is so thankful for this grant award so that we are better able to teach students and make them more career ready out of high school with the purchase of industry standard machines that would not be possible without the grant funds.” Colin Kubik, Norris Teacher and FFA Advisor.

“We are incredibly grateful for this support, because projects like these do so much more than just upgrade our facilities or bring books into classrooms-they build the future of our program. Norris FFA has a long tradition of excellence, and seeing this momentum build is adding real fuel to our fire as we bring back the energy we have seen in former years. We are so excited to give our students hands-on, industry-standard opportunities that connect them with agriculture and serve our community for years to come." Emilia Brozek, Norris Teacher and FFA Advisor.

About the Nebraska FFA Foundation
The Nebraska FFA Foundation invests in agricultural education and FFA for more than 12,000 FFA members and their advisors in Nebraska by growing leaders, building communities, and creating career connections. For more information, visit neffafoundation.org.