The National FFA Organization (FFA) celebrates 90 years of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For a majority of those years, Firestone Ag, a business owned and operated by Bridgestone Americas, Inc., has provided support in shaping the next generation of farmers and will continue to be committed to this partnership.
“We understand the challenges farmers face in the field,” said Tony Orlando, president, Firestone Ag. “Since 1944, our partnership with FFA has helped build a strong, upcoming generation of farmers that will advance the agriculture industry. We know that the FFA students of today will be the farmers of tomorrow spending hard days and nights in the field, and will depend on durable tires like Firestone in the future.”
Harvey Firestone, founder of the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, was a firm believer in the importance of education, and was a fourth-generation farmer himself. His two passions intersected with FFA, and it became a priority to support the organization, both personally and professionally.
Harvey’s son chaired the first FFA Foundation board, helping to create the corporate support structure that allows businesses to contribute to the mission and success of FFA. Since that original structure was implemented, Firestone Ag has donated nearly $2.9 million to FFA to support grants, scholarships and curriculum programs.
“At Firestone, we look beyond financial contribution and invest in bringing accessible and inclusive education to those who need it,” said Orlando. “Our partnership with FFA is just one example of the Bridgestone commitment to our corporate program, Our Way to Serve, which helps provide education to the next generation.”