FFA seed money: Program invests in the future of agriculture

JOHNSTON, Iowa — The Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program from Brevant seeds provides FFA students with the opportunity to gain industry experience and fundraise for their chapter.

Once selected for the program, students from participating chapters can begin selling 200 special edition blue-and-gold bags of Brevant seeds for the following season.

For the 2025 sales season, the program raised $62,790 in donations on the local, state and national level. Since its inception in 2017, the program has donated over $365,000.

“Brevant seeds is dedicated to the future of agriculture,” said Caleb Quinlan, retail product agronomist for Brevant seeds in Missouri.

“Our efforts to help improve rural communities don’t stop at investing in corn and soybean research and development. We’re focused on making a difference for future generations by prioritizing education at the local level.

“The Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program is a significant commitment we make to the next generation of ag leaders.”

Quinlan has worked on the program with the Paris FFA chapter in Missouri for two years. He said his favorite part of the program is seeing students grow — in more ways than one.

“As a FFA alum, it is so rewarding to be part of the Turn the Bag Blue & Gold Program,” he said. “I’m most proud of how the program instills confidence in young FFA members and gives them the opportunity to gain industry experience before they start their careers.”

Working closely with Paris FFA adviser Josh Bondy, Quinlan helps educate students on Brevant brand products and business strategy.

Bondy said Quinlan has taken on a mentor role with the students — being a positive influence for them to learn from. For the Paris FFA chapter, Bondy emphasized how important fundraising is for members.

“Very rarely do our members get the chance to help raise money at the state and national level,” he said. “Even though some of the funds go back into the chapter, it is very rewarding to know that we are giving back.”

This year, the Dupree FFA chapter in South Dakota went above and beyond its goals. Adviser Doug Hofer paired newer members with a member who participated in the program last year.

With the help of retail sales agronomists and representatives from the local elevator, the chapter sold more than projected and expanded their leadership skills and ag knowledge.

“After our RSA, Steven Senyak, did a sales presentation and mock interviews with the students, they decided to do a few cold calls,” Hofer said.

“That is what set us over our 200-bag goal. We worked closely with Steven and our local elevator to make it happen.

“We’re using that money to buy shirts for contests this spring and to attend the Black Hills Stock Show for FFA Day. It’s exciting for me and the students to see their hard work pay off.”

As the start of the 2025 planting season draws nearer, students will start making seed deliveries this spring.

From planting through harvest, they work with the farmers in their community to determine field conditions, assess disease and weed pressure and see how their Brevant brand products are performing.