HARRISBURG, Pa. – GIANT Co. is supporting National Farmers Day by donating $20,000 to support agriculture education programs that will empower future generations of food and agriculture leaders, the retailer said on Thursday.

Partnering with the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation, Maryland FFA Association, Virginia FFA Foundation, and West Virginia FFA Association, the company will support more than 5,000 agriculture education students through leadership conferences and programming.

“Agriculture is essential to The GIANT Company’s purpose of connecting families for a better future; it is critical we lean in and support this important part of our world,” said Rebecca Lupfer, the retailer’s divisional vice president, Mid-Atlantic. “From our humble beginnings starting as the Carlisle Meat Market in 1923 to our growth as an omnichannel retailer, we know we would not be where we are without our food and agriculture partners. Investing in agriculture education through our state FFA partners is helping to grow the next generation by fostering future farmers and business leaders, increasing the awareness of agriculture to consumers, and so much more.”

FFA is a youth organization that prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through school-based agricultural education. By fostering talents and education through hands-on experiences and professional development, members go on to be future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, business leaders, food scientists, and premier professionals in many career fields. More than 500 FFA chapters comprised of 36,000 students span GIANT’s four-state footprint.

“Each year Pennsylvania FFA hosts three leadership conferences to enhance students’ skills in communication, advocacy, diversity and inclusion, agriculture literacy, confidence and more,” said Sarah Sparks, executive director, Pennsylvania FFA Foundation. “Developing these skills allow individuals to pursue career readiness which matures into a talent pipeline. With the support of The GIANT Company, we will continue to strive to make these events accessible for all students and help the learners of today grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”

National Farmers Day is October 12. It recognizes the integral role farmers play in bringing food from farm to table, according to GIANT, which said it is proud to partner with 218 local vendors and 130 farms to provide fresh, quality, wholesome products to the families it serves.