Initiative is partnership between Kentucky FFA, KDA's Raising Hope

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2024) – A Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) program focused on farm safety, farm rescue, and farmers’ health, is providing grant opportunities for high school FFA chapters to focus on those vital components, as well. During the Kentucky State Fair, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell announced KDA’s Raising Hope program is investing $125,000 for the grants provided through the Kentucky FFA Association.

"As Kentucky’s Agriculture Commissioner, I am proud to support this initiative that empowers our FFA chapters to address vital issues in agriculture,” Commissioner Shell said. “By focusing on farm safety, farmers’ health, and farm rescue, we are investing in the well-being of our farming communities and ensuring that our next generation of agricultural leaders is well-equipped to face these challenges. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to safeguarding the future of agriculture in Kentucky."

The grant program is a partnership with the Kentucky FFA Association and Raising Hope, which raises awareness about farm safety, health risks, and farm rescue, stressing the importance of training for farm-specific rescues to enhance safety for farmers, workers, and families. With a commitment of $125,000 from Raising Hope, FFA chapters will apply for grants to host events dedicated to farm safety, farm rescue, and farmers’ health, both mental and physical. The money will be dispersed in $5,000 and $2,000 allotments to winning chapters.

“Kentucky FFA is honored to partner with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to support the Raising Hope initiative,” said Kristan Wright, Agricultural Education Consultant/State FFA Advisor. “As a former agriculture teacher at Seneca High School, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that a program like this can make on students and the community. This will allow FFA students from across the state to save lives while educating the public about topics such as grain bin and farm safety.”

Raising Hope began as a coalition between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and other agriculture, education, and healthcare institutions dedicated to improving the mental and physical health of farmers. In July 2024, Raising Hope was moved fully under the KDA umbrella and joined with the Department’s Farm Safety program.

Dale Dobson, who coordinates KDA’s Farm and Home Safety Program, has been involved with Raising Hope since it started. In his role at KDA, Dobson often works with FFA students across the state as they host “Pep Rally for Life” events, which often include ATV (all-terrain vehicle) mock rescues or grain rescue classes.

"I remember joining FFA 50 years ago in 1974,” Dobson said. “I learned then just how great of an organization it truly is. FFA students are the future of agriculture and by working together we can and will save lives."

More information on the application timeline and process will be announced soon on the Kentucky Department of Agriculture website at kyagr.com. 

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