Recently, the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) honored Firestone Farm Tires, a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), with a Distinguished Citation award. The company received this award for numerous contributions to the FFA organization spanning 70 years of support for agricultural education and leadership development.
“Accepting this recognition on behalf of Firestone is a tremendous honor,” says Tom Rodgers, director of sales and marketing for Firestone Farm Tires. “Harvey Firestone, founder of The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., had a passion for agriculture and the FFA organization. In 1944, Firestone chaired the first FFA Foundation board and set in motion a structure of corporate support that has made it possible for FFA to develop generations of young leaders. Bridgestone and the Firestone Farm Tire organization continue to be committed to the agricultural industry and to help cultivate future generations of farmers.”
Firestone’s support of career development events and scholarships has touched many lives over the years. Most recently, the company has increased vocational training efforts in agricultural technology and mechanical systems. Firestone funds the national organization’s agricultural power technical systems Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education course and supports the agricultural proficiency awards. A dealer scholarship program also is in development.
The FFA provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 579,000 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to a local FFA chapter in the U.S. The organization has helped millions of students.
To learn more about Firestone Farm Tires, visit www.firestoneag.com.
