By Andi Anderson
Students in the Ithaca FFA program will soon experience more real world crop production thanks to a ten thousand dollar grant from ACH Seeds’ Homegrown Giving program. The funding will allow the Michigan chapter to install a modern tile drainage system across its forty eight acre land lab, an important upgrade that will improve crop yields, provide hands on learning, and strengthen the long term sustainability of the student run farm.
Ithaca FFA is one of six recipients of the 2025 Homegrown Giving awards. The program, now in its fourth year, supports community projects in sugarbeet growing regions and focuses on local needs such as youth leadership, agricultural education, food access, and rural infrastructure.
The Ithaca chapter has managed its land lab since 1965, but recent years revealed the challenges of poor drainage. With the new system, students can plant earlier, raise healthier crops, and increase revenue from harvests. That income is reinvested in equipment, student projects, and educational activities, creating a cycle that benefits both the program and the local agricultural community.
“This investment gives our students an incredible opportunity to manage a real crop from the ground up,” said Leslie SieXa, Ithaca agriscience teacher and FFA advisor. “The :le drainage will improve our yields and let our students learn in real farm condi:ons. It’s going to take our program to the next level, and we’re extremely grateful to ACH Seeds for suppor:ng us.”
Founded in 1930, Ithaca FFA is one of Michigan’s oldest chapters. Students handle soil sampling, crop planning, monitoring, and harvest with support from local ag businesses and volunteers. Andy Bernia, Great Lakes region manager at ACH Seeds, said the program helps prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders and keeps students connected to farming.
“Programs like this with the Ithaca FFA are helping prepare the next genera:on of ag leaders – and that’s cri:cal to communi:es like ours,” said Andy Bernia, great lakes region manager at ACH Seeds. “Chapters like Ithaca FFA are crea:ng opportuni:es for students to learn, lead and stay connected to agriculture. We’re proud to help amplify that impact.”
Since 2022, the Homegrown Giving program has awarded one hundred eighty thousand dollars to more than eighteen organizations, chosen from nominations submitted by ACH Seeds customers and community members.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sveta
Categories: Michigan, Business, Crops, Government & Policy