Keystone Makes Historic $15,000 Donation to Michigan FFA Foundation
Apr 30, 2025
Supporting Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Workforce Development in a Growing Region
Keystone Cooperative has made a monumental $15,000 donation to the Michigan FFA Foundation, marking the cooperative’s largest-ever contribution to FFA in the state of Michigan. This historic gift reinforces Keystone’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders while celebrating a period of meaningful growth and investment in the region.
“This donation represents more than financial support—it’s a reflection of our belief in the future of agriculture and the importance of developing talent where it grows best: in our rural communities,” said Kevin Still, President and CEO of Keystone Cooperative. “As we continue to expand our support in Michigan, we are proud to invest in the young people who will shape the future of this industry.”
The funds will directly support Michigan FFA’s mission to deliver impactful leadership training, hands-on learning opportunities, and career development experiences for students pursuing futures in agriculture and agri-business.
"We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated support of partners like Keystone Cooperative, whose SEED Program has opened doors for some of our high-achieving Michigan FFA members to jumpstart their careers in agriculture,” said Alex Schnabelrauch, Executive Director of the Michigan FFA Foundation. “Their commitment empowers us to provide outstanding leadership development, personal growth and career readiness opportunities to over 9,000 FFA members across the state. We are proud to collaborate with a company that shares our vision and truly invests in the future of agriculture."
In addition to its support for FFA, Keystone is investing in young professionals through its SEED (Securing Experience & Employee Development) program. SEED offers full-time employment to recent high school graduates who are not pursuing a traditional college path. Over the course of a year, SEED participants rotate through various departments—including agronomy, energy, grain, feed, and operations—gaining firsthand experience and building skills that lead to long-term careers in agriculture.
This year, four students from Michigan joined Keystone through the SEED program—bringing fresh energy and perspectives to the cooperative while also laying a strong foundation for future workforce needs in the state. Those four students include Mariah Nortley - Waldron Area Schools; Ben Landis - North Ed Career Tech Center; Cheyenne Kline - Ovid Elsie High School and Sydney Monahan - Olivet High School.
“Our SEED program is one of the best examples of Keystone’s commitment to grow talent from within the communities we serve,” said Still. “We’re helping young people explore their passions, gain real-world experience, and find meaningful careers in agriculture—whether they come from farm backgrounds or not.”
By supporting FFA and developing workforce pathways through SEED, Keystone Cooperative continues to live out its mission to Lead, Serve, Grow, and Embrace the future of agriculture—both in Michigan and across the Midwest.
Keystone Cooperative has made a monumental $15,000 donation to the Michigan FFA Foundation, marking the cooperative’s largest-ever contribution to FFA in the state of Michigan. This historic gift reinforces Keystone’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders while celebrating a period of meaningful growth and investment in the region.
“This donation represents more than financial support—it’s a reflection of our belief in the future of agriculture and the importance of developing talent where it grows best: in our rural communities,” said Kevin Still, President and CEO of Keystone Cooperative. “As we continue to expand our support in Michigan, we are proud to invest in the young people who will shape the future of this industry.”
The funds will directly support Michigan FFA’s mission to deliver impactful leadership training, hands-on learning opportunities, and career development experiences for students pursuing futures in agriculture and agri-business.
"We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated support of partners like Keystone Cooperative, whose SEED Program has opened doors for some of our high-achieving Michigan FFA members to jumpstart their careers in agriculture,” said Alex Schnabelrauch, Executive Director of the Michigan FFA Foundation. “Their commitment empowers us to provide outstanding leadership development, personal growth and career readiness opportunities to over 9,000 FFA members across the state. We are proud to collaborate with a company that shares our vision and truly invests in the future of agriculture."
In addition to its support for FFA, Keystone is investing in young professionals through its SEED (Securing Experience & Employee Development) program. SEED offers full-time employment to recent high school graduates who are not pursuing a traditional college path. Over the course of a year, SEED participants rotate through various departments—including agronomy, energy, grain, feed, and operations—gaining firsthand experience and building skills that lead to long-term careers in agriculture.
This year, four students from Michigan joined Keystone through the SEED program—bringing fresh energy and perspectives to the cooperative while also laying a strong foundation for future workforce needs in the state. Those four students include Mariah Nortley - Waldron Area Schools; Ben Landis - North Ed Career Tech Center; Cheyenne Kline - Ovid Elsie High School and Sydney Monahan - Olivet High School.
“Our SEED program is one of the best examples of Keystone’s commitment to grow talent from within the communities we serve,” said Still. “We’re helping young people explore their passions, gain real-world experience, and find meaningful careers in agriculture—whether they come from farm backgrounds or not.”
By supporting FFA and developing workforce pathways through SEED, Keystone Cooperative continues to live out its mission to Lead, Serve, Grow, and Embrace the future of agriculture—both in Michigan and across the Midwest.