WALTON — Lewis Cass High School’s Future Farmers of America chapter and area farmers are teaming up for the sixth year in a row to help graduating seniors with college expenses.
The chapter recently conducted its annual field day to kick off the 2009 grain drive to benefit the Lewis Cass Scholarship Fund. The effort is organized each year by the Cass County Community Foundation.
The ceremonial kickoff took place on the FFA member Spenser Forgey’s family farm.
Cass principal Bill Isaacs said the fundraiser started after a suggestion from Cass County farmer Ted Blank, who mentioned it was something farmers used to do years ago.
“It’s a really good fundraiser,” he said.
Area farmers can make tax-deductible donations any time during harvest season to participating grain elevators. Donations are being accepted at Walton Elevator, ADM Clymers and at The Andersons in Delphi and Clymers. The donations can either come in the form of money or grain.
When the fundraiser first started in 2004, the drive was known as Corn for Kings, Isaacs explained. During the first three years, students would take a wagon to the farms and collect the grain. Three years ago, the name was changed to Crops for Kings, since soybeans were also collected.
In five years, 400 individuals, groups and businesses have donated to the fund. Since the fundraiser began, 13 graduating seniors have received $1,000 scholarships.
Three scholarships are expected to be awarded in May, Isaacs said. Two scholarships will be presented to students pursuing a traditional academic education and one to a student who plans to attend a trade or vocational school.
Money raised to date equals $92,500. The original goal was to raise $100,000, but to ensure long-term success for the scholarship the goal has been increased to $150,000 by Dec. 31, 2010.
On average, Isaacs said, between $3,500 and $4,000 is raised each year through the Crops for Kings grain drive.
Area farmers are encouraged to join with students in helping to provide scholarships for deserving students.
“We’re an ag community,” said John Bevan, superintendent of Southeastern School Corp. “We’re proud of the work we’ve done and appreciate the support the farmers have given us.”
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com.
Want to know more?
For more information on the Crops for Kings program, call the Cass County Community Foundation at (574) 722-2200.
Local News
Cass students continue annual tradition
Crops for Kings program enters its sixth year
- Local News
-
-
Eyes on the skies: Grissom air traffic crews super busy with Super Bowl
As Indianapolis gears up for the Super Bowl, Grissom Air Reserve Base air traffic controllers are preparing for a full-on blitz of game-bound fans flying through their airspace.
-
‘Clerical error’ might cost Logan $20K
A “clerical error” in calculating retirement benefits may cost Logansport $20,000, city officials say.
-
Jurors convict Flora man of attempted rape
Jurors took just four hours Thursday afternoon to convict a Flora man of attempted rape, criminal confinement, battery and receiving stolen property.
-
LHS’ video clip will rock big screens in Indy
About 40 Logansport High School students - and their non-dancing principal - will hit the big screens Friday.
-
City seeks trial in Fire Stone suit
Attorneys representing Logansport have asked for a jury trial to settle the city’s long-running dispute with the owner of Fire Stone Grill.
-
Peru to annex 1,000 acres
In 2007, the city of Peru annexed 66 acres near U.S. 24 with hopes of enticing business to the area. But Peru Mayor Jim Walker says that was just the beginning.
-
Space issues at Pioneer Elementary push students into hallways, closets
Kindergartner Avery Smith and his literacy coach played a game Tuesday in a hallway at Pioneer Elementary School.
-
Three interested in Logan police pension board
Three candidates with ties to the Logansport Police Department are interested in serving on the Police Pension Board — a board in need of members after a falling out with Mayor Ted Franklin.
-
1 injured in semi-car collision
A 55-year-old Walton man was “doing fairly well” Tuesday night following an early morning crash where his car was hit by a semitrailer, a spokesman for the Miami County Sheriff’s Department said.
-
Walton man severely injured in crash
A 55-year-old Walton man was transported to a Kokomo hospital early Tuesday with massive head and upper body injuries after hitting a semi on U.S. 31.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
