As part of the continuing celebration of 50 years of inclusion of women in FFA, RDO Equipment Co. has partnered with the South Dakota FFA Foundation, donating 175 jackets for female members of the South Dakota FFA through the Foundation’s Blue Jackets Bright Futures program.
RDO has deep roots in Midwest agriculture, going back to the earliest days of founder Ron D. Offutt’s career as a Minnesota potato farmer and the opening of his first agriculture equipment store in North Dakota in 1968.
The blue corduroy FFA jacket has been an iconic symbol of the national FFA organization since 1933, and each year, the SD FFA Foundation’s Blue Jacket Bright Futures program provides hundreds of jackets to members without financial resources or who have shown leadership qualities and personal growth.
“The positive impact the SD FFA has on the youth of South Dakota is something we wholeheartedly support, not only as members of the agriculture industry, but as members of our community,” said Brook Stephens, RDO Regional General Manager.
Earlier in 2020, RDO began a similar partnership with the North Dakota FFA Foundation, providing 167 blue jackets to women in the neighboring state, as well.
“We are thankful for this generous gift by RDO,” said Gerri Ann Eide, Executive Director of the SD FFA Foundation. “The FFA jacket unifies our members in a long-standing tradition, and the Blue Jackets Bright Futures program provides members their own jacket, reminding them that they are part of something larger than themselves.”
The partnership also serves as special recognition of women working in agriculture and the contributions they have and continue to make.