News Release: February 7, 2007

TCC Is Sponsor of New FFA Proficiency Award

The Tennessee Council of Cooperatives (TCC) has agreed to sponsor a new FFA proficiency award in agricultural education in Tennessee, beginning this year.

The TCC board voted recently to sponsor the proficiency award for the next three years at a cost of $500 annually. Awards will be given each year to winners in East, Middle, and West Tennessee and to the top winner at the State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg. Regional and state winners for 2007 will be recognized during the Gatlinburg convention set for March 26-28.

“The Tennessee Council of Cooperatives is excited about this opportunity to promote and support agricultural education through our state’s outstanding FFA program,” says Joe Jackson, the council’s vice president for education.

“We feel this new awards and recognition program is a good fit for the council to educate the public about agriculture, including cooperatives, show broad-based community support of agricultural education, encourage youth development, and involve FFA members across the state,” says Jimmie R. Loftis of Cookeville, executive director of the Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc.