This is a column written by Kentucky FFA Foundation Executive Director, Sheldon McKinney,  for "The Farmer's Pride" and featured in a December 2025 issue. 

This year has been one for the  Kentucky FFA history books. This August, we were humbled and honored to announce that the Kentucky FFA Foundation had received an $11,000,000 gift from the Bill Gatton Foundation. It’s the largest gift in the history of FFA - in our state, or anywhere in the country. As a proud lifelong Kentuckian and FFA alumnus, this makes me proud beyond measure. Proud that a farm boy from Bremen, Kentucky, had the opportunities to become a successful entrepreneur and our state's greatest philanthropist. It makes me proud beyond measure that a few years of wearing a blue corduroy jacket could influence one’s life so deeply. It makes me proud beyond measure that the leaders of the Bill Gatton Foundation entrusted the Kentucky FFA Foundation with this opportunity.

Receiving a gift of this caliber is a lot of money, but more than that, it’s a lot of trust. It’s trust that we will accept wtih honor & duty. It’s trust that our mission is life changing for students and that we have the staff, agriculture teachers and supporters here in Kentucky to make a difference with these dollars. I get emotional every time I think about it. 

Since announcing this gift, the two most common questions I have fielded are: “What are you going to do with this money?” and, “Do you still need my support?”

The Kentucky FFA Foundation is endowing Mr. Gatton’s gift. This means that the funds are invested for growth and we will take an annual draw from the income it earns. This gift will grow over time, its impact will be annual and in perpetuity. Here’s what it means for Kentucky FFA members. 

• “FFA Camp” in Hardinsburg, Kentucky is now named the Carol Martin Gatton Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center. We host over 1,500 campers each summer from across the Commonwealth. With these funds, we will provide more scholarships to  students, provide travel scholarships for chapters, enhance leadership skill development and create greater opportunities and experiences. 

• Over 2,000 students compete each year in Career and Leadership Development Events for Kentucky FFA - and we continue to add more contest opportunities than ever before. The Bill Gatton Leadership Awards will help us support those students with increased prize money, recognizing students for their hard work. This will have a direct, financial impact on all students who are competing at the Kentucky FFA State Convention. 

• We have established Forever Blue Endowments for the McLean County & Muhlenberg County FFA chapters - providing an annual gift for those chapters, forever. 

• We will 100 students on a full scholarship experience to attend the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. This life changing conference, (which is led by a KY FFA Alum!), is a catalyst for leadership development & citizenship. It’s expensive and cumbersome to attend with the travel and time for teachers. We have hired teacher leaders to guide students from across the state on this once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t wait to gather those Kentucky students, under the lights of our nation's Capitol and talk about philanthropy, and the difference they can make in their home, community and nation - all made possible by Mr. Bill Gatton. 

Because of this gift, we are adding so many rich experiences to being a Kentucky FFA member and I am certain that more are to come. The last question, “do you still need me?”, I answer with a resounding, “YES!”

The Gatton gift was inspired to make this gift by the many loyal donors who believe in our philanthropic vision and who support us. Mr. Gatton’s gift will give to these three pillars, truly a cherry on top of the life changing work we do. But all of the things we have been doing for years - supporting great agriculture teachers, the many grants to expand local FFA chapters, scholarships for FFA Jackets, State FFA Convention, SAE Grants to students and on and on and on - will still rely on your support. We absolutely still need you, our trusted partners & friends.  

This is undoubtedly a new era for Kentucky FFA. A thrilling one with exciting new opportunities and challenges. As we begin to plan our Centennial Celebration,  I’ll have so much more to share. We have the opportunity to ensure that Kentucky FFA and all of our local chapters get to thrive for 100 more years. We get to grow the next generation of leaders who will change the world. We desperately need them and we desperately need you. I hope you’ll continue to do your part in this inspiring task. We are looking forward to the journey together.