Bayer to invest $6 million in 4-H and FFA

Bayer has announced it will invest $6 million in 4-H and the National FFA Organization over the next five years.

Lisa Safarian, North American President of the Crop Science Division of Bayer, says agriculture continues to face challenges, which is why this is the perfect time to invest in the future of the industry. 

She says the investment will provide funding surety and help 4-H and FFA members to understand STEM and opportunities in agriculture.

“We need people in STEM coming back to the company— not just ours but all of them in agriculture so that we have a future,” she says.

Audio: Lisa Safarian, Bayer

National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl says the investment will allow the organization to invest in programs in advocacy and ag literacy as well as teacher recruitment and retention.

“FFA members are enthusiastic about food production, science, innovation, and technology and so I look forward to being able to create further platforms so those students can excel,” he says.

Audio: Mark Poeschl, National FFA

National 4-H Council President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo says they will expand 4-H programs.

“For the future of industry we have to ensure that we can compete in the science arena,” she says. “We still aren’t producing STEM-educated, science, engineering and math students.”

Audio: Jennifer Sirangelo, National 4-H Council

Poeschl and Sirangelo say the organizations are thankful for Bayer’s support over the past several decades.