Williams Baptist University has received a $600 Legacy Grant from the National Future Farmers of America Organization to establish an FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter on campus.

Melinda Williams, assistant professor of speech, drama, and journalism at Williams, will lead the efforts to begin the chapter.

“We saw an opportunity to fulfill a need that has been requested by many students who come to WBU,” Williams said. “Many students who come here have been involved with FFA at the high school level, and this will provide them the opportunity to continue that partnership and network with others within the organization.”

Legacy Grants can be used to create an FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter, improve the quality of existing FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapters, or provide more opportunities for partnership between FFA Chapters and Alumni and Supporters Chapters.

In 2024, $54,000 in grants, supported by Tractor Supply Company, will be awarded through the National FFA Organization. The purpose of National FFA Alumni and Supporters Legacy grants is to grow the number of local chapters, improve the quality of existing chapters, and provide more opportunities for partnership between FFA student chapters and alumni and supporters chapters.

“FFA is much more than farming,” Williams said. “It teaches leadership, servanthood, conservation and many of the qualities we want to instill in our students. The connection to our mission and the FFA was an easy one, and this is a great opportunity for WBU to continue to reach more students.”

WBU is a private Christian university in Walnut Ridge, Ark.