Submitted Photo North Dakota FFA representatives, from left, President Ben Van Berkom of Des Lacs-Burlington, sponsor and program coordinator Thomas Winders, foundation assistant director Andrew Young and Vice President Anna Stoppleworth of Kindred celebrate the donation of $20,000 from Dakota Access Pipeline, LLC. The donation will be used to support programming and conferences for members of the FFA in North Dakota.

BISMARCK – The North Dakota FFA Foundation and North Dakota 4-H Foundation are each receiving donations of $20,000 from Dakota Access Pipeline, LLC, the company announced Wednesday. Dakota Access will be making similar donations in South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois, totaling $50,000.

“This gift not only gives our foundation the ability to continue our programming and mission, it highlights the company’s commitment to the future leaders of agriculture right here in North Dakota,” said Andrew Young, interim executive director, N.D. FFA Foundation. “The donation to FFA will be used to sponsor the N.D. FFA Winter Leadership Conference, which has grown to one of the largest attended conferences in the state, helping students in the areas of leadership and personal growth, career exploration and community service. It will also be used to sponsor the 91st N.D. State FFA Convention in June.”

“4-H has long been known for providing hands-on experiences in areas such as science, agriculture and citizenship that foster the development of important leadership skills. This contribution will be used to support the Youth Extension Conference held at NDSU in June for teens and led by the state 4-H Ambassadors group. It will also support the Leadership Awareness Weekend for grades 6-12 to learn more about civic leadership, ultimately using those skills in their communities,” said Penny Dale, North Dakota 4-H foundation manager.

In 2017, Dakota Access Pipeline made similar donations to North Dakota’s FFA and 4-H, totaling $70,000 for event sponsorship, individual county curriculum implementation, stewardship programs and membership and traveling expenses. The pipeline traverses about 346 miles across seven counties in North Dakota.