National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Honors Jackson Electric Cooperative with Community Service Award

Strategic Insights -

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) honored Jackson Electric Cooperative with the National Community Service Award for Youth Programs at its 2011 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The cooperative received the award for the "FFA Test Plot" entrepreneurship program, which was administered by the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, co-ops throughout the state, local farmers, and many others.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jackson Electric Cooperative, based in Black River Falls, WI, was awarded the National Community Service Award for Youth Programs by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) for its innovative "FFA Test Plot" program.
  • The program was created after a co-op representative contacted the local FFA to solicit ideas for idle land, and the FFA students submitted a business plan that included a corn test plot.
  • The program has been implemented since 2009, with FFA students raising soybeans in 2009 and corn in 2010, and selling the crops to a local marketing cooperative to analyze business gains and expenses.
  • The program involved partnerships with several local cooperatives, including Co-op Credit Union, Federation Cooperative, Hixton-Fairchild Cooperative, and the local Farm Service Agency.
  • The program demonstrates the successful collaboration between cooperatives and local organizations to provide educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth.

Statistics:

  • Since the program began in 2009, the FFA students have raised two crops: soybeans in 2009 and corn in 2010.
  • The "FFA Test Plot" program has enabled the students to analyze their business gains and expenses by selling the crops to a local marketing cooperative.
  • The program has involved partnerships with multiple local cooperatives, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the cooperative community.

Sources:

  • "NRECA Honors Jackson Electric's Community Service Program for Youth" by National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (originally published in 2011)