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Heartland FFA Students Awarded New FFA Jacket

by Cole Blomendahl

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 The Nebraska FFA Foundation was pleased to present Bianca Kujala, Maelyn Huebert, Stephanie Stamp, Mattison Hiebner, Justin Foster, Brent Regier and Daniel Quiring of the Heartland FFA Chapter their very own FFA jacket. The students were eight of 102 students selected statewide for the honor. This is the second year for the jacket program, which is called the Nebraska FFA Jacket Fund.

            “FFA jackets are costly and this is a great way for deserving students to apply and potentially be selected to receive a jacket through this program,” said Tammy Meyer, executive director of the Nebraska FFA Foundation. “All of us who have been FFA members understand the excitement of putting on your blue jacket for the first time and wearing it proudly as you represent your chapter and state at various activities. This program rewards and encourages members who are eager to continue Nebraska’s outstanding FFA tradition.”

            The idea for the jacket fund came from similar programs in New Jersey and North Dakota. Former Nebraska FFA state officers and husband and wife team, Adam Wollenburg and Anita Estes-Wollenburg have helped develop and grow the program. According to the Wollenburg’s, the fund comes at a very good time as the current recession has made it more difficult for students to purchase jackets.

            “We’ve had an excellent response in this second year of the program, doubling numbers both in student applications and in financial supporters,” said Estes-Wollenburg. “All of the students receiving jackets have been so grateful for this opportunity. We know they will wear their jackets well, representing an outstanding legacy of youth in agriculture.”

            Agricultural educators, former state officers, FFA officer teams, and other generous contributors have come forward to support the program. Locally, the Alan Janzen family and the Kim Siebert family contributed to the fun. If interested in participating and making a contribution to the program, please contact the Nebraska FFA Foundation at neffafoundation@unlnotes.unl.edu or contact Heartland FFA Advisor Cole Blomendahl at 723-4434.