Tractor Supply Names Next Class of FFA Future Leaders, Launches Fundraiser for Largest Agriculture Scholarship of Its Kind
-
Since 2022, the FFA Future Leaders Scholarship has provided more than $4 million to help more than 500 students pursue education and careers in agriculture and the skilled trades.
-
From September 7-20, Tractor Supply customers can once again help fund scholarships for the next generation of farmers, ranchers and skilled professionals by donating at checkout in stores and online.
-
Limited-edition National FFA Convention T-shirts benefiting FFA programs are now available in stores and online.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., September 02, 2026--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Behind every FFA Future Leaders Scholarship is a young person with a plan for the future, and a community helping make that plan possible.
Today, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO ), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, and the Tractor Supply Company Foundation announced 146 recipients of the 2026 FFA Future Leaders Scholarship. The students, representing 32 states, are pursuing careers ranging from agribusiness, agricultural engineering and veterinary care to welding, construction and diesel mechanics—all fields that will help sustain rural communities for generations to come.
Since Tractor Supply and the National FFA Organization established the Future Leaders Scholarship in 2022, more than 500 students have received support to continue their education in agriculture and the skilled trades. More than $4 million has been awarded to date, made possible in part by Tractor Supply customers who have supported the program year after year at checkout.
This year's fundraising drive will be held in stores and online at TractorSupply.com from Monday, September 7 to Sunday, September 20. Additionally, 2026 limited-edition National FFA Convention T-shirts are now available for purchase in stores and online, enabling customers to wear their FFA support with pride. Proceeds go directly to FFA to benefit its Gift of Blue, Living to Serve and Alumni Legacy Grants programs.
"Every one of these students has a story, a dream and a desire to make a difference in the communities they call home," said Joe Fell , Vice President of Merchandise Operations at Tractor Supply and a member of the FFA Sponsor Board. "What makes this program so meaningful is that our customers are helping turn those dreams into opportunities. More than 500 Future Leaders have now received scholarships, and some of our earliest recipients are already graduating, beginning their careers and giving back to rural America. As we celebrate this year's class, we invite our local communities to help us open doors for one more generation of Future Leaders."
The FFA Future Leaders Scholarship provides $10,000 scholarships to FFA members pursuing agriculture-related studies in four-year programs and $5,000 scholarships to members attending two-year programs or trade schools. For students and their families, that support can help ease the financial burden of continuing their education and allow them to focus on preparing for the careers they hope to build.
For Daphne Bownds, a freshman at Blinn College-Bryan pursuing veterinary technology, the scholarship means being one step closer to a career serving animals and agriculture.
"This scholarship will help ease the financial burden of college as I pursue my education and continue working toward a career in the agricultural field," Bownds said. "I am incredibly grateful for your investment in my future and for supporting the next generation of leaders in agriculture."
Daphne is one of 146 students in this year's class, each with a different path but a shared commitment to building a future in the communities and industries that keep rural America strong. The FFA Future Leader Scholarship recipients come from 32 states, each with visions of careers in agricultural policy, engineering, construction, veterinary work, business management and more to ensure the rural communities in which they were raised can continue to thrive. Other recipients include:
-
Kailee Macy,who grew up in Culver, Oregon, on her family's specialty seed crop farm. She is currently a junior at Oklahoma State University studying agribusiness and agricultural communications. Kailee hopes to pursue a career in agricultural policy or law to advocate on behalf of agriculturalists.
-
Calvin Myersfrom Bloomfield, Indiana, who will be a freshman at Purdue University. He plans to study agribusiness management and use that education to "serve the agriculture industry and give back to rural communities that have given so much to me."
-
Mya Stinefrom Falling Waters, West Virginia, who is beginning her studies at Idaho Horseshoeing School. She plans to major in animal science to pursue a career as a farrier.
-
Maxx Vetterfrom Cozad, Nebraska, who is attending Missouri Welding Institute to study welding. He credits the Future Leaders Scholarship with changing his outlook and providing a foundation for his future career.
Tractor Supply's support continues beyond the scholarship itself. Recipients may pursue career opportunities at Tractor Supply stores and distribution centers while completing their education, and the Company also reserves internship opportunities at its Store Support Center for Future Leaders.
From Scholarship Recipient to Rural Community Leader
The impact of the program is already coming full circle.
When Tractor Supply held its first Future Leaders fundraiser in 2022, customers helped generate $1 million for scholarships. Among the students supported by those funds was Payton Walk, who attended Colby Community College and later earned a Bachelor of Science in animal sciences from Kansas State University.
Today, Payton is back home in rural Kansas, serving her community as Director of Community Development.
Her story reflects the larger purpose behind Future Leaders: helping young people gain the education and skills they need and creating opportunities for them to bring those talents back to the places that helped shape them.
The need for the next generation of agricultural and skilled trade professionals continues to grow. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization , agricultural production will need to increase significantly by 2050 to meet the needs of a growing global population. At the same time, the USDA reports that the average age of beginning producers—those who have been farming for 10 years or less—is 47.
Preparing more young people to become farmers, welders, agronomists, mechanics, veterinarians, engineers and agricultural leaders is essential to the future of rural America.
To learn more about Tractor Supply's longstanding partnership with FFA, visit ir.tractorsupply.com/partnerships .
$10,000 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (FOUR-YEAR MAJORS)
STATE
CITY
NAME
INSTITUTION NAME
INTENDED MAJOR
AZ
Arlington
Ashlynn Richardson
University of Arizona
Agribusiness Management
AR
Edgemont
Kylie Ross
Harding University
Computer Science
CA
Escalon
Addison Tenente
Oklahoma State University
Agribusiness
CA
Santa Rosa
Riley Piehl
Texas A&M University
Agricultural Leadership & Development
CA
Willows
Andrew Alves
Butte College
Agribusiness Management
GA
Danielsville
Isabelle Williams
University of Georgia
Agribusiness
GA
Sylvania
Adileigh Rountree
Georgia Southern University
Engineering
IL
Cambridge
Jolene Blackert
Iowa State University
Agribusiness
IL
Cambridge
Taylor Snook
St. Ambrose University at Center for Health Sciences Education
Physical Therapy
IL
Ramsey
Lucas Miller
Kansas State University
Agribusiness Management
IL
Sadorus
Olivia Shike
Oklahoma State University
Animal Science
IN
Bloomfield
Calvin Myers
Purdue University
Agribusiness Management
IA
Albia
Trell Amoss
Oklahoma State University
Agricultural Economics
IA
Jesup
Cecelia Mensching
Iowa State University
Agricultural Communications
IA
Keswick
Chloe Zittergruen
Iowa State University
Agricultural Communications
IA
Muscatine
Lexi Henning
William Penn University
Finance
IA
Peosta
Luke Boyle
Iowa State University
Agriculture Science/Technology
KS
Buhler
Mekenna Mendenhall
Hutchinson Community College
Pre-Vet
KS
Canton
Sage Toews
Kansas State University
Agricultural Economics
KS
Hays
Mary Vajnar
Kansas State University
Agricultural Communications
KS
Louisburg
Isabella Moreland
Oklahoma State University
Agribusiness
KS
Moran
Sophia Heim
Kansas State University
Human Development and Family Studies
KS
Morrowville
Jonathan Wright
Kansas State University
Agronomy
MI
Mason
Wesley Rogers
Purdue University
Agribusiness
MI
Merrill
Kayla Goward
Michigan State University
Agribusiness
MI
New Lothrop
Sara Dammann
Michigan State University
Agribusiness Management
MI
Owosso
Barett Yoho
Michigan State University
Agribusiness Management
MN
Lester Prairie
Gracie Ross
South Dakota State University
Agricultural Business
MO
Kingdom City
Sophia Geppert
University of Missouri - Columbia
Agricultural Business
MO
Maryville
Hadley Cline
Northwest Missouri State University
Agricultural Business
MO
Tipton
Carsyn Petree
University of Missouri - Columbia
Agribusiness Management
NE
Bassett
Trey Anthony
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Economics
NE
Juniata
Peyton Hartman
Buena Vista University
Agribusiness
NC
Gold Hill
Gracelyn Lowe
North Carolina State University
Agricultural Engineering
OH
Baltimore
Henry Hoisington
Ohio University
Meat Industry Mechanical Engineering
OH
Helena
Gabriel McCrory
The Ohio State University
Agronomy
OH
Lancaster
Emma Strickler
The Ohio State University
Agribusiness
OH
Mount Victory
Connor Eckstein
Ohio Northern University
Engineering
OH
Sidney
Maddox Abke
Ohio State University - Lima Campus
Business
OK
Walters
Jewel Scherler
Oklahoma State University
Agribusiness
OR
Culver
Kailee Macy
Oklahoma State University
Agricultural Communications
OR
Dexter
Abe Craig
Utah State University
Avionics
PA
New Wilmington
Jenna Whiting
Pennsylvania State University
Agribusiness Management
PA
Port Matilda
Katherine Coopey
Pennsylvania State University
Agribusiness Management
SD
Geddes
Mallory Gant
South Dakota State University
Agricultural Business
SD
Sisseton
Kathryn Meyer
South Dakota State University
Agribusiness
TN
Lebanon
John Hancock
Cornell University
Agricultural Economics
TX
Bells
Reese
Texas A&M University
Agribusiness
TX
Clarksville
Ramsey Blagg
Texas A&M University
Nursing
TX
Godley
Nola Briscoe
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Biomedical Engineering
TX
Hallettsville
Jake Ressler
Texas A&M University
Agribusiness
TX
Jacksonville
Karen Dyess
Stephen F Austin State University
Agricultural Communications
TX
Mineral Wells
Garrison Facteau
Texas Tech University
Business Management
TX
Van Alstyne
Ainsley Williams
Oklahoma State University
Agribusiness
WA
Clarkston
Stone Ausman
Oregon State University
Agricultural Engineering
$5,000 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (TRADE SCHOOLS/TWO-YEAR PROGRAMS)
STATE
CITY
NAME
INSTITUTION
INTENDED MAJOR
AZ
Chandler
Angel Sanchez Rojas
Mesa Community College
Welding
AZ
Tucson
Siena Contreras
Pima Community College
Agricultural Mechanics
AR
Texarkana
Baylee Riley
Undecided
Criminal Justice
CA
Hayfork
Levi Cavalli
Santa Barbara City College
Criminal Justice
CO
Bethune
Camory Wedel
Colby Community College
Dental Hygiene
FL
Interlachen
Mason Deloach
St. Johns River State College
Business
FL
Winter Haven
Rylee Fountain
Aparicio-Levy Technical College, Erwin Technical College
Business
ID
Mackay
Alex Hofhine
Prime Line Academy
Electrical Engineering
IL
Cissna Park
Lauryn Hamrick
Illinois Central College
Nursing
IL
Cornell
Austin Quick
Lake Land College
Agricultural Mechanics
IL
Earlville
Landen Tirevold
Waubonsee Community College
Undecided
IL
Gilman
Owen Pree
Parkland College
Diesel Mechanics
IL
Greenville
John Bohn
Kaskaskia College
Electronic Education
IL
Ina
Morgan Payne
Rend Lake College
Agribusiness Management
IL
New Athens
Tessa Zimmer
Southwest Illinois College
Nursing
IL
Streator
Aiden Haag
Southeast Lineman Training Center
Telecommunications
IL
Wayne City
Kenzie Seidel
Vincennes University
Physical Therapy
IA
Breda
Meredith Sturm
University of Iowa
Radiation Therapy
IA
Creston
Nolan Ide
Southwestern Community College, Iowa
Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production
IA
Luana
Caleb Zuercher
Hawkeye Community College
Diesel Mechanics
KS
Clifton
Jordi Fahey
Cloud County Community College
Nursing
KS
Concordia
Russell Alexander
Fort Hays Tech North Central
Construction Science
KS
Hiawatha
Kenzie Nelson
Colby Community College
Animal Science
KS
Liberty
Teige Thiesing
Coffeyville Community College
Welding
KS
Manhattan
Mason Willard
Pratt Community College
Electrical Engineering
KS
Westphalia
Kyzer Lehmann
North Central Kansas Technical College
Diesel Mechanics
KY
Hillsboro
Robert Pease
Kentucky Welding Institute
Welding
KY
Waynesburg
Avery Wesley
Somerset Community College
Diesel Mechanics
MA
West Roxbury
Allison Lynch
University of Northwestern Ohio
Agricultural Mechanics
MN
Glencoe
Jameson Buboltz
North Dakota State College of Science
Diesel Mechanics
MN
Red Wing
Jacob McCoy
Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical - Red Wing Campus
Nursing
MN
Spicer
Shea Loso
Ridgewater College
Nursing
MO
Bonnots Mill
Eli Koenigsfeld
State Technical College of Missouri
Construction Science
MO
Carrollton
Carter Germann
State Fair Community College
Construction Science
MO
Chillicothe
Glenna Barnett
North Central Missouri College
Agribusiness Management
MO
Fair Play
Lena Skipper
Ozarks Technical Community College
Construction Science
MO
Keytesville
Mason Meagher
Grand River Technical School
Diesel Mechanics
MO
Maryville
Allison Riley
Central Methodist University at State Fair Community College
Dental Hygiene
MO
Maryville
Madalynn Stuart
Missouri Welding Institute
Welding
MO
Mound City
Destiny Panning
North Central Missouri College
Occupational Therapy
MO
Pleasant Hill
Davin Gilsdorf
Fort Scott Community College – Multiple Sites
Agricultural Mechanics
MO
Polo
Ryan Robison
State Technical College of Missouri
Horticulture
MO
Preston
Baylee Hash
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Horse Production/Management
MO
Ravenwood
Trent Henggeler
Southwest Community College
Electronic Education
MO
Rosendale
Cooper Grishow
State Technical College of Missouri
Diesel Mechanics
MO
Salem
Isabella Black
State Technical College of Missouri
Agribusiness Management
MO
Savannah
Addison Emmendorfer
Concorde Career College - Kansas City
Dental Hygiene
MO
Sedgewickville
John Bollinger
State Technical College of Missouri
Diesel Mechanics
MO
Tarkio
Quin Staten
State Technical College of Missouri
Landscape Architecture
MO
Troy
Carleigh Enloe
St. Charles Community College
Allied Health
MO
Troy
Kadence Creech
St. Louis Community College
Allied Health
MO
Waynesville
James Laughlin
State Technical College of Missouri
Diesel Mechanics
NE
Cozad
Maxx Vetter
Missouri Welding Institute
Welding
NE
Elwood
Noah Rand
Southeast Community College - Milford
Undecided
NE
Pierce
Cayden Holan
Northeast Community College
Piping Engineering
NE
Shelton
Matthew Goldfish
Northeast Community College
Construction Science
NC
Newland
Jimmy Mendez-Ortega
NASCAR Technical Institute
Undecided
ND
Carrington
Sam Simons
North Dakota State College of Science
Agricultural Mechanics
ND
Dickinson
Bradley Krebs
North Dakota State College of Science
Diesel Mechanics
ND
Wilton
Mason Oswald
Bismarck State College
Welding
OK
Haskell
Gracie Bolding
ATA College
Allied Health
OK
Nardin
Kalli Gilbert
OSU-OKC
Pre-medicine-Pre-Pharmacy
OK
Newkirk
Jacob Merhoff
Texas State Technical College
Agricultural Mechanics
OR
Rogue River
Josiah West
Pacific Aviation NorthWest
Agricultural Mechanics/Crop Science
OR
Union
Jodee Baxter
Eastern Oregon University
Nursing
PA
Conneaut Lake
Mitchell Lasko
University of Northwestern Ohio
Diesel Mechanics
PA
Hegins
Kyle Bowman
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Agricultural Mechanics
PA
Mechanicsburg
Emma Abramson
Harrisburg Area Community College
Welding
PA
Port Royal
Kalynn Brown
South Hills School of Business and Technology - State College
Medical Technology
SD
Canova
Callie Kaufmann
Des Moines Area Community College
Forensic Science
SD
Colton
Gracie Pedersen
Lake Area Technical College
Nursing
SD
Iroquois
Kirby Miller
Lake Area Technical College
Diesel Mechanics
SD
Iroquois
Natalie Cundy
Lake Area Technical College
Physical Therapy
SD
Willow Lake
Cooper Pommer
Lake Area Technical College
Nursing
TX
Beasley
Daphne Bownds
Blinn College- Bryan
Veterinary Technology
TX
George West
Spencer Lee
Texas State Technical College - Waco
Diesel Mechanics
TX
Nacogdoches
Michael Montario
Texas State Technical College Marshall
Welding
TX
Powell
Dominic Hernandez
Texas State Technical College - Harlingen
Welding
TX
Tennessee Colony
Gus Beckendorf
Texas State Technical College
Diesel Mechanics
TX
Wheeler
Tazlan Brown
Tarleton State University
Athletic Training
UT
Delta
Keaton Eliason
Snow College - Richfield Campus
Undecided
UT
St. George
Kaitlin Sorensen
The Skin Institute
Business
UT
Stansbury Park
Bradley Koot
Tooele Technical College
Diesel Mechanics
WA
Elma
John Doelman
Western Welding Academy
Welding
WV
Falling Waters
Mya Stine
Idaho Horseshoeing School
Animal Science
WV
Walton
Lily Smith
BridgeValley Community and Technical College
Health Science Studies
WI
Cassville
Iris Adams
Northeast Iowa Community College - Peosta Campus
Healthcare Studies
WI
Clayton
Kaylee Hornick
Northwood Technical College
Welding
WI
Colfax
Janica Larson
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Physical Therapy
WI
Galesville
Jazlynn Olson
Western Technical College
Business Management
WY
Albin
Emery Branigan
Laramie County Community College
Electrical Engineering
About Tractor Supply Company
For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO ) has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 290 on the Fortune 500. The Company's more than 54,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle. In store and online, Tractor Supply provides what customers need – anytime, anywhere, any way they choose at the low prices they deserve.
As part of the Company's commitment to caring for animals of all kinds, Tractor Supply is proud to include Petsense by Tractor Supply , a pet specialty retailer, Allivet , a leading online pet and animal pharmacy, and VIP Petcare , the largest provider of mobile veterinary care in the U.S., in its family of brands. Together, Tractor Supply is able to provide comprehensive solutions for pet care, livestock wellness and rural living, ensuring customers and their animals thrive. From its stores to the customer's doorstep, Tractor Supply is here to serve and support Life Out Here.
As of June 27, 2026, the Company operated 2,463 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and 209 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states. For more information, visit www.tractorsupply.com and www.Petsense.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260902478532/en/
Contacts
Mary Winn Pilkington (615) 440-4212
corporatecommunications@tractorsupply.com
