APPOMATTOX, Va.—A corporate donation is helping accelerate construction of a new agricultural facility for a Virginia FFA chapter that has earned the state’s top ranking three years running.
Channel Seed has provided $4,000 through its Channeling Good program to support the Appomattox FFA Alumni Agricultural Complex, a multipurpose building that will feature livestock handling facilities and space for community agricultural activities.
The contribution comes as the Appomattox County chapter continues to demonstrate exceptional performance, with roughly 20% of students participating in the Future Farmers of America program and donning the organization’s signature blue corduroy jackets.
More than 75 individuals including current students, program graduates, and community supporters attended last summer’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new complex.
Two Channel Seed employees, Bobby Long and Glenn Dye, submitted the nomination for the donation. Dye operates farming operations across Appomattox, Fauquier and Stafford counties and holds a position on the Stafford County Farm Bureau’s board of directors. He has also championed farm equipment highway safety initiatives throughout Virginia.
“The FFA is trying to secure funds for this tremendous building project opportunity,” Dye explained. “Since they’ve been chosen as the top FFA chapter in the state for three consecutive years now, I felt they were most deserving. The Appomattox FFA program is preparing the students to be positively contributing young adults. After graduation, they are much more desirable job candidates and possess the soft skills to be productive members of society.”
Mary Beth Primm, who leads the Appomattox FFA Alumni as president, spoke with the Appomattox-Times about the significance of Channel Seed’s contribution to their agricultural facility project.
“Support like this allows us to provide hands-on learning opportunities, develop student leadership, and move one step closer to making the agricultural complex a reality,” she stated.
The new structure will make livestock-related educational projects more accessible to students while creating a central location for regional farming events and activities.
Channel Seed specializes in providing tailored seed products along with agronomic guidance and local assistance for farmers growing corn and soybeans.
Dye emphasized the critical need for young people to enter agricultural careers, pointing to demographic challenges facing the farming industry.
“Our industry faces a constant uphill battle in so many facets,” he noted. “We need our young leaders to continue—not just operating—but advocating for our great and increasingly important industry. They are the agricultural leaders of the future.”
He also highlighted concerns about the aging farmer population, noting that the average age continues to climb annually.
Those interested in supporting the Appomattox FFA’s facility construction can contribute at secure.qgiv.com/for/appomattoxbarnproject.
For media inquiries, contact Emily Biras with Channel Seed communications at 314-221-3620.
