Prominent Iowans Challenge Others to 'Lead by Example' with FFA Donations

THE FFA ENRICHMENT CENTER RECOGNIZES NEW SUPPORTER

Seedsman Harry Stine, farm broadcaster Mark Pearson and the Ankeny City Council were recognized during the 77th annual Iowa FFA Leadership Development Conference yesterday for their support of The FFA Enrichment Center.  Stine and community leaders challenge others to contribute to the statewide leadership development facility.

"The City of Ankeny is delighted that The FFA Enrichment Center will be located in our community," says Mayor Merle Johnson.  "We understand this facility will help build future leaders for communities throughout the state, and we’re challenging other Iowa communities to lend their support by matching – or exceeding – our $5,000 gift."

Many former Iowa FFA members are actively involved in their communities, ranging from mayor to church council president and elected school board member.  Others work with youth by serving as leaders for Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops or mentoring FFA members.  Many Iowa FFA alumni, like Harry Stine, operate their own businesses and have become industry leaders.

"Agriculture has been my business for my entire life, so we’re just pleased to be able to give back in this area," said Harry Stine, who joined his father’s farming operation and soybean cleaning venture in the 1960s after graduating from McPherson College in Kansas and currently serves as president of Stine Seed Co. in Adel.  "Young people are always the future of agriculture, and the FFA represents agriculture and youth."

Stine will give $2 million to The FFA Enrichment Center.

"Harry Stine is leading by example," says Ed Wiederstein, chairman of the Capital Campaign Committee for The FFA Enrichment Center.  "We appreciate his generosity and are encouraging other leaders to accept his challenge to support The FFA Enrichment Center."

Another supporter who is leading by example, says Wiederstein, is Mark Pearson, host of "Market to Market" on Iowa Public Television and of "The Big Show" on WHO Radio.  Pearson has been promoting The FFA Enrichment Center to reach his personal goal of donating $5,000 from profits of sales of his CD, "Fully Restored."

"People have been asking for a copy of my speeches to replay when they are starved for companionship," jokes Pearson.  "I kept putting it on the back burner until the idea hit to benefit organizations that I believe are important.  FFA has meant a lot to my family – as it does to many, many others all across the country.  I’m a big fan of the FFA’s work in developing the next generation of leaders for the most important industry in the world: agriculture."

The FFA Enrichment Center

The Iowa FFA Enrichment Center has been designed as a leadership development facility that will meet the needs of an advanced leadership and educational development program for Iowa’s nearly 12,000 FFA members and approximately 230 agricultural education instructors.

To be built in Ankeny on land provided by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), the approximately 75,000 square-foot facility will feature conferencing and meeting facilities, agricultural and biotech science labs, the Pioneer Agriscience Computer Laboratory, vet technology labs, greenhouses utilizing current technology, resource and exhibition facilities and the Cargill Communications Center with fiber optic connectivity.

For more information about The FFA Enrichment Center or its capital campaign, contact:

Mary Boote
309 Court Ave., Suite 214
Des Moines, IA  50309
515-274-0800 phone
mjboote@courtavenuesuites.com