FFA Nurtures Future Leaders in Rural America & Agriculture
Benjamin Bremmer’s blue corduroy FFA jacket has created life-changing opportunities for him.
“From the skills I have made to the people I have met — those things wouldn’t have happened anywhere else but FFA,” said the 19-year-old from Pearl City, Ill. “I’ve had valuable leadership, public speaking and hands-on learning experiences. Every single person is touched by agriculture, and there is a place for them in FFA.”
Bremmer, a third-generation FFA member, is the Illinois FFA state treasurer. The five-person state officer team in Illinois takes a gap year from school to serve the association.
During their year of service, officers travel more than 20,000 miles to visit FFA chapters around the state, conduct workshops and meetings, represent Illinois FFA in professional settings, and promote agricultural education.
The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America is one of five organizations that support the state officers’ travel, working with the state office to provide a vehicle. During his year as state treasurer, Bremmer is utilizing the vehicle provided by Compeer Financial, which is co-branded with Illinois FFA and Compeer. Bremmer and his family also happen to be clients of Compeer.
“When companies, local businesses and individuals support FFA, it makes a lasting impact on our members,” Bremmer said. “Support for our travel like this helps the state officers visit chapters, host conferences and contests, support record books and provide plaques and awards. It’s really cool to drive a car supported by a cooperative that I am an active client in.”
Commitment to Rural America
Bremmer was one of more than 72,494 FFA members directly impacted by Compeer’s financial support in 2023.
“Benjamin is a shining example of the impact FFA makes on young adults,” said Jeff Kromm, a financial officer at Compeer, who works with Bremmer and his family. “FFA’s mission to prepare its members for leadership and careers in agriculture overlaps with Compeer’s mission of enriching agriculture and rural America. Supporting FFA at the state and local levels within Compeer’s territory is an important pillar in our giving.”
After his year of service as a state officer, Bremmer plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study agriculture business marketing and management. His goal is to return to the family farm, to help raise corn, soybeans and replacement heifers for a local dairy.
Bremmer believes the experiences and skills he’s learned in FFA will benefit him for the rest of this life.
“FFA has really helped me with my public speaking,” Bremmer said. “I feel comfortable talking to people and having a conversation. This skill alone has helped me grow as person and be more mature and confident.”
FFA Partnerships
FFA is the premier youth organization that prepares members for leadership and careers in agricultural science, business and technology. Since 2018, the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America has provided more than $635,750 to support state FFA organizations.
This support includes:
• Annual commitments to support state officer chapter visits, travel, Star Awards and leadership development events
• Matching dollars for Giving Tuesday
• Additional funding for chapter-level grants and donations
“When I wear my FFA blue jacket, I feel thankful and optimistic because FFA has given me so many opportunities and opened so many doors in my life, from the people I have met to the skills I have learned, and because FFA has shaped a bright future for agriculture by creating the next generation of leaders.” Benjamin Bremmer Illinois FFA State Treasurer
Learn more about how Compeer supports youth programs and rural America.