Tractor Supply Launches Next Phase of $5 Million Scholarship Fund to Empower Future Rural Leaders

Business Wire

04-08-2025

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, announced today the third class of FFA Future Leaders Scholarship recipients in conjunction with the kickoff of the 2025 FFA Future Leaders Scholarship Fundraiser. The 2025-26 scholarship class includes a total of 146 students from 38 states with intended majors such as agribusiness, welding, agricultural communications, construction, fire sciences and more. The FFA Future Leaders Scholarship Fund—the largest of its kind—awards $5,000 scholarships to students attending a two-year program or trade school, and $10,000 scholarships to students pursuing agriculture-related studies in four-year programs.
In rural communities across the country, students often face limited access to financial aid, career resources and exposure to emerging agricultural technologies or skilled trades. While the overall educational attainment of rural residents has increased significantly over the last 60 years, it remains behind that of urban residents. In 2023, 21.4% of the rural population earned a bachelor's degree or higher compared with 36.4% for the non-rural population.
The Future Leaders Scholarship Fund is specifically designed to address these gaps by investing in high-potential students who will shape the future of rural America. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, among STEM graduates, rural students (29.1%) and their suburban counterparts (24.0%) were most likely to major in biological and agricultural sciences.
'We are thrilled to announce this year's scholarship recipients simultaneously with the kick-off of our next fundraiser, as there is no greater motivation than seeing the impact of these dollars in real time,' said Marti Skold-Jordan, Executive Director of the Tractor Supply Foundation and National FFA Foundation Sponsors' Board member. 'This class of Future Leaders further raises the bar with their unique interests, impressive goals and exceptional academic records. What hasn't changed, though, is that financial challenges remain a hurdle to achieving their dreams Out Here. For the last three years, we have delivered on our goal of raising at least $1 million to break down those barriers, and we hope to keep that streak going this year.'
Beginning today and extending through August 16, customers can donate at checkout in Tractor Supply stores or online at TractorSupply.com to support the 2026-27 class of scholarship recipients. The Tractor Supply Foundation, in partnership with the National FFA Organization, established the Future Leaders Scholarship in 2022 with a $5 million commitment over five years, making it the largest agriculture scholarship fund of its kind and awarding 435 scholarships to date.
The 2024 fundraiser generated more than $1 million to support the current class of scholarship recipients, which includes Kaylee Jones from Sandy, Oregon. Kaylee will attend Oklahoma State University in the fall to study agribusiness. She hopes to pursue a career in agricultural law. Throughout high school, Kaylee worked full time to help support her family. Her $10,000 Future Leaders Scholarship will help relieve some of the financial burden of attending college.
'With your help, I am a step closer to my goal of affording college debt-free and being able to pursue both agriculture and law worry-free,' she said.
Wiley Proctor from Aldrich, Missouri, is another 2025-26 scholarship recipient. He will attend Lindenwood University at Ozark Technical Community College–Springfield to study fire science.
'This scholarship will help me achieve my goal of graduating from college with zero debt….and is going to help me in pursuing my dreams of becoming a firefighter,' he said.
Additional $5,000 scholarship recipients include:
Preston Gant from Fayette, Alabama. He will attend Bevill State Community College to study Diesel Mechanics and hopes to work in Hydraulic Mechanics.
Joe Horn from Mount Solon, Virginia. He will attend a two-year program at the University of Northwestern Ohio to study agricultural engineering. He hopes to focus on agricultural equipment technology to pursue a career in that field.
Carter Smith, from Middleburg, Pennsylvania. Carter will attend the Pennsylvania College of Technology to study civil engineering. He plans to work as a ready-mix concrete field technician.
Hallie Southards from Wray, Colorado. She will attend Western Nebraska Community College-Sidney Campus to study avionics. Hallie hopes to pursue a career as an aviation mechanic.
The third class of FFA Future Leaders also includes 54 students who received $10,000 scholarships to pursue agriculture-related four-year majors, including:
Elleigh Fisher from North Platte , Nebraska. She will be a senior at Chadron State College where she is studying biology and plant and soil science. She plans to pursue a career in agronomy.
Grant Frierson from Paris, Texas. In the fall, he will be a freshman at Texas A & M University studying agribusiness. He hopes to pursue a career in commodity trading.
Lillian Morgan from Afton, Virginia. She is a rising sophomore at Oklahoma State University where she is studying agricultural business. Her goal is to use her education to start her own successful business.
Kaden Pham, from Monett, Missouri. He will attend Missouri State University to study agricultural management and hopes to work in agri-business and supply chain management.
Scholarship recipients will also have the opportunity to interview for career opportunities at Tractor Supply stores or distribution centers while pursuing their education. Additionally, Tractor Supply has earmarked internships at its Store Support Center in Brentwood, Tennessee, and Distribution Centers around the country, for scholarship recipients.
'The National FFA Organization is deeply grateful for our scholarship partners like Tractor Supply Company for their continued commitment to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders,' said Jim Williams, Executive Director of Development at the National FFA Foundation. 'By providing financial assistance to individual FFA members, we can help alleviate some of the financial burdens those FFA members may face as they explore opportunities beyond high school that will give them the tools to make a lasting impact on their local communities.'
For more information on the 2026-27 FFA Future Leaders Scholarship, visit https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/.
$10,000 Scholarship Winners (Four-Year Majors)
$5,000 Scholarship Winners (Trade Schools/Two-Year Programs)
About Tractor Supply Company
For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 296 on the Fortune 500. The Company's more than 52,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle. In store and online, Tractor Supply provides what customers need – anytime, anywhere, any way they choose at the low prices they deserve.
As part of the Company's commitment to caring for animals of all kinds, Tractor Supply is proud to include Petsense by Tractor Supply, a pet specialty retailer, and Allivet, a leading online pet pharmacy, in its family of brands. Together, Tractor Supply is able to provide comprehensive solutions for pet care, livestock wellness and rural living, ensuring customers and their animals thrive. From its stores to the customer's doorstep, Tractor Supply is here to serve and support Life Out Here.
As of June 28, 2025, the Company operated 2,335 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and 207 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states. For more information, visit www.tractorsupply.com and www.Petsense.com.