Merck Animal Health announced it will donate $50,000 to the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization to support its newly established Educational Advancement Program.

This contribution marks Merck Animal Health as the inaugural donor for this initiative, which aims to enhance agricultural education, particularly at two-year and community-based college programs that offer educational opportunities in agriculture. These institutions are pivotal in providing practical, hands-on training to equip future agricultural talent with the necessary skills to excel in the industry.

“At Merck Animal Health, we recognize the importance of educating the next generation of agricultural leaders and supporting the institutions that helped them grow,” said Scott Stehlik, D.V.M., director of swine and poultry technical services for Merck Animal Health. “This investment in the Educational Advancement Program shows our commitment to the agricultural industry and will empower students by providing them with the tools they need to thrive in their careers.”

“The industry needs a more robust pipeline of talented people to fill roles across the full breadth of agriculture. This initiative will enable institutions to recruit more students while building and expanding their program offerings to meet this industry demand for years to come,” Stehlik added. “We are proud to play a role in shaping the future of the agriculture industry by providing talented students access to the skills and hands-on training they need to be successful.”

The support from Merck Animal Health will not only help fund grants for these educational institutions but also support student scholarships and leadership opportunities in agriculture. The announcement took place during the 2025 National PAS Conference, which was held in Sheridan, Wyoming, from March 17 to 20, 2025.

The National Professional Agricultural Student Organization is dedicated to developing two- and four-year college-level professional agriculture students for the workplace. Through participation in employment experience programs, skill-set development, networking opportunities, and organizational activities, PAS equips students with the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed.

“We are incredibly grateful for Merck Animal Health’s generous contribution, which will significantly enhance our Educational Advancement Program,” said Jennifer Bloss, executive director for PAS. “This support not only helps us provide vital resources for agricultural education, but it also opens doors for students to gain valuable leadership experience. Together, we can cultivate the future of agriculture.”

Applications for the program will be available on March 24 on the PAS website at nationalpas.org.

The National FFA Organization announced that its more than one million members, alumni, and supporters raised more than $1.6 million as part of the 10th Annual Give FFA Day during National FFA Week in February.

This funds raised will directly support FFA and agricultural education for local FFA chapters, state FFA associations, and the National FFA as a whole. This is the most money raised for FFA in a single day, following more than $1.4 million being donated during last year’s Give FFA Day event.

Give FFA Day was created as a way to make a difference in the lives of FFA members across the country, growing the next generation of leaders who will feed, clothe, and change the world. Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the organization was rebranded to FFA because it now gives students skills to prepare for more than 350 careers in business, science, engineering, education, communications, policy, and more. The school-based program also provides hands-on learning opportunities, which support students as they look to graduation and beyond.

“By contributing on Give FFA Day, supporters did more than just donate — they became part of a movement that empowers the next generation of leaders in agriculture,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “The funds raised will directly impact FFA members by helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to shape the future of the industry and their communities. Whether enabling a student to attend a national convention, providing an iconic blue jacket, or supporting hands-on learning experiences, every gift transforms potential into achievement. We appreciate our donors championing a brighter future for our members, one gift at a time.”

People who donated money during Give FFA Day on Thursday, February 20, could choose whether to give to the National FFA or a state FFA association of their choice. Money raised this year will go toward supporting special programs and events, providing more than 150 iconic FFA blue jackets to students, supplementing travel costs for conferences and conventions, and paying for teacher support and resources throughout the year.

The National FFA Organization received generous matches from RFD-TV for $100,000 and John Deere for $50,000. RFD-TV also hosted a special two-hour telethon to support the National FFA’s “Give FFA Day” campaign. Ball participated in the telethon by joining the production live from RFD-TV’s studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

»Related: N.Y. leads donations as FFA raises $1.4M on Give FFA Day

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