The Ohio FFA Foundation recently announced it will be awarding the symbolic FFA jackets to several first-year members. Students from across Ohio applied to receive the jackets as part of the Blue Jackets program, sponsored by Beck’s Hybrids and the Ohio FFA Foundation.

With the generosity shared from community supporters and the Beck’s Hybrids dealer network, 179 FFA jackets were awarded to first-year Ohio FFA members. Six of Hardin Northern FFA members received their Official FFA jacket through this program. Recipients include Ava Hopson, Zeb Wilson, Lola Duncan, Preston Wykes and Isabella Wilson.

“On behalf of everyone at Beck’s, I want to congratulate the winners of this year’s Blue Jackets,” said Eric Rife, Beck’s Sales Support Manager in Ohio. “It was a joy to see so many people involved in this project. I remember the feeling I had when I received my FFA jacket as a freshman. I took a lot of pride in wearing it. It’s great to see the next generation of FFA members sharing that same feeling. Thank you to everyone that was involved in making this program such a huge success.” Jacket donors included Beck’s Hybrids and 24 Beck’s dealers around the state as well as several other generous individuals and community supporters. Hardin Northern members would like to specifically thank Jared Steiner of Autumn’s Harvest for his sponsorship.

FFA jackets open doors for students by allowing them to participate in competitions, conferences and events. Through these programs, members learn life skills that will serve them for years to come. “For more than 80 years, the blue corduroy jacket has been a symbol of leadership development, personal growth and career success. With the support of generous donors, students across Ohio now have the opportunity to learn life lessons and create lasting memories through their FFA membership,” said Jessica Parrish, Executive Director of the Ohio FFA Foundation.