Harper Partners With Christian County Farm Bureau to Donate FFA Jackets

CHICAGO — State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is partnering with the Christian County Farm Bureau to donate two uniform jackets to students from her district wishing to join the
Future Farmers of America (FFA).

“Future Farmers of America is a great organization that I’ve worked to support for years, as we both have the goal of boosting Illinois’ agriculture industry and ensuring that this critical sector that helps keep Illinois food-independent has access to the talents and vision of new generations for years to come,” Harper said.

Harper chairs Illinois’ House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, and has been a major force when it comes to legislation focused on agriculture, healthy food access and equitable agriculture policy.

FFA’s jacket-and-tie uniform typically costs $75, and the FFA as well as many farm bureaus and other agriculture organizations often donate them to interested students who might otherwise not be able to join.

The two donations offered by Harper are open to FFA-eligible students who reside in her district (the 6 th District of the Illinois House of Representatives). Those eligible and interested should contact Harper’s constituent service office at 773-925-6580 or repsonyaharper@gmail.com for more information.

“Keeping Illinois’ agriculture sector well-primed with innovative, new ideas from a vibrant and diverse workforce means, among other things, helping to ensure that a tight household budget isn’t the reason why someone with the passion and the drive to be an Illinois farmer doesn’t become one,” Harper said. “Agriculture is far and away Illinois’ largest industry and that makes it potentially an engine of change for the next generation. I’m proud to do whatever I can to keep that engine running.”