Kentucky farmers donated $735,815.88 to the Ag Tag Program for 2023, bringing the total of donations to more than $5 million since 2016.
“This year’s record-breaking Ag Tag donations is a true example of our Kentucky farm families giving back to their communities,” Commissioner Quarles said. “Through the years, the Ag Tag Program has succeeded in providing much-needed funding for promoting agriculture and educating Kentucky’s youth on the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives. Your generosity will help ensure Kentucky agriculture has a bright future.”
The voluntary donations are divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). This year, each group will receive $245,271.96. Since 2016, Kentucky FFA and Kentucky 4-H have received, collectively, nearly $3.5 million from donations made by ag producers renewing their vehicles each year.
Half of the 4-H and FFA donations are returned to local councils and chapters. FFA chapters are free to use the money to meet the greatest needs in their community, such as FFA jackets for students in need or helping cover travel costs to leadership events.
The Marshall County FFA Chapter received $1,518.33. The funds will be used locally to provide travel opportunities for students to leadership conferences and competitions. In Marshall County, 30% of folks who purchase farm tags made the donation this year. If 100% of our community made the donation when purchasing their farm tags annually, it would generate $5,100 for our local agricultural education program. Marshall County FFA would like to thank those who donated this past year and in previous years!
“The Kentucky FFA Foundation is thrilled with the 2023 Ag Tag campaign. The Ag Tag program has become a vital part of accomplishing our vision of Growing Leaders, Building Communities & Strengthening Agriculture,” said Sheldon McKinney, executive director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation. “We give half of the funds given in each county back to the local chapters in that county, so this means a greater impact in each community. We also use Ag Tag donations to fund Ag Achievers grants, which offer much-needed technology upgrades to agriculture classrooms across Kentucky, provide travel scholarships to our students competing at National FFA Convention, and provide a great experience for our students at the Kentucky State Fair. It is a simple way to give back and collectively, make a huge impact on the future of Kentucky agriculture.”
Kentucky motorists who buy or renew farm vehicle license plates, or “ag tags,” may make a voluntary donation of up to $10 to the Ag Tag Fund. Half of the 4-H and FFA funds go back to the county where the tag is purchased, where both organizations use the funds to support local programming, awards, and scholarships.
The Kentucky FFA Foundation cultivates partnerships which support the FFA vision to grow leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture. Kentucky FFA Foundation initiatives impact over 22,000 FFA members in 194 FFA chapters across Kentucky. Learn more about how you can support the mission of the Kentucky FFA Foundation at kyffa.org/ways-to-give.