McCook FFA student wins grant to advance homegrown fencing enterprise

Courtesy photo

INDIANAPOLIS -- The National FFA Organization announced that Nicholas Cole of McCook, Nebraska, was selected to receive a Keystone Steel and Wire-Red Brand grant in the amount of $1,000 to initiate or improve Nicholas's career development experience known as a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).

An SAE is a practical application of classroom concepts designed to provide real world experiences and develop skills in agriculturally related career areas. To be eligible, the student must be in grades 7-11, have an SAE and be a member of FFA. Cole is a member of the McCook FFA chapter and was selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide.

Cole's grant for an Animal Systems SAE is sponsored by Keystone Steel & Wire-Red Brand as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Red Brand is the premium line of agricultural fencing products and reigns as the most recognized brand of farm fence in the United States. Since 1889 Red Brand has been standing guard with top quality, American -made fence products for a wide variety of applications. Whether it's the full-time enthusiast, Red Brand is the product of choiee when selecting the best in farm fence.

McCook High School student Nick Cole of McCook poses with the fencing equipment he uses in is fencing business, Triple C fencing. He received a $1,000 grant to help boost his business. (Courtesy photo)

About The National FFA Organization

The National FFA organization is a national youth organization of 557,318 student members as part of 7,498 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin lslands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

About National FFA Foundation

The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that fund FFA activities, recognize member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agriculture education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. Approximately 82 percent of all sponsorship funding received by the foundation supports opportunities for FFA members and agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Foundation at www.ffa.org/donate.