Help Grow Your Soup Program Supports National FFA Organization
CAMDEN, N.J., Apr 20, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –As part of Campbell’s Help Grow Your Soup program,hundreds of local high school students, community members and National FFA Alumni teamed up with Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) over the past weekend to restore the 100-year-old barn on the Dull Family Farm in Thorntown, Ind. The project on the post-and-beam constructed barn entailed fixing doors, replacing windows and flooring, installing a staircase to the loft and applying a fresh coat of bright red paint.
The barn on the Dull Family Farm, which was used for seed and hay storage dating back to the early 1900s, was selected by the public through an online vote and is the second of five historic barns to be preserved this spring through the national Help Grow Your Soup program. Preserving barns is one way that Campbell recognizes the American farms and farmers who grow the high-quality ingredients that go into each can of Campbell’s(R)condensed soup.
“Barns are a reminder of our country’s rich farming heritage and are truly a sense of pride for farming families like ours,” said barn owner, Tom Dull. “It is wonderful that a company like Campbell is committed to supporting the American farming industry and is excited to share stories like ours.”
Photos, videos and stories of the 10 nominated barns were featured on the program website, HelpGrowYourSoup.com, from October through December, 2009. People voted for their favorite story, and the Dull Family Farm was one of the top five barns in the online voting. More than 375,000 votes were cast for the nominated barns, and the five winning barns will be preserved as follows:
“We try to teach our students about the vital agricultural industry and the impact Indiana farming has on the country’s food supply,” said Patrick Padgett, Clinton Prairie High School FFA advisor. “The barn preservation is not only a great way for local students to learn the value of mentoring and get leadership experience on a farm, but it also shows them how iconic companies like Campbell recognize the importance of the future of the American farming industry and of growing fresh produce.”
Campbell and FFA: Growing Support for American Agriculture
In addition to the barn preservations, Campbell, through the Help Grow Your Soup campaign, has donated a total of $500,000 to FFA to promote educational programs that help students explore the many opportunities that modern agriculture offers. The program also provides the training necessary for students to become future leaders in the industry.
Campbell launched the Help Grow Your Soup campaign in 2008 by establishing a partnership with FFA to help raise awareness for the importance of farming and support agriculture education. Campbell and FFA have previously restored five barns across the country and planted community gardens in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Camden, N.J. Additional details about the Help Grow Your Soup program and Campbell’s partnership with FFA, visit HelpGrowYourSoup.com.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market–leading brands including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s” and “V8.” For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website at www.campbellsoup.com.
About The National FFA
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 506,199 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.
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SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup CompanyJohn Faulkner, 856-342-3738[email protected]orWeber ShandwickPatricia Vicenzi, 312-988-2019[email protected]
