Special Advertising Section
A New Generation of Support for
As the largest living generation in the United
States, currently estimated at 75.4 million people 1 ,
millennials will have a significant impact on our
environmental future. Understanding the vital role
they play in our society, millennials are champions
of change and are continually looking for ways to
reduce their carbon footprint.
Now, Generation Z—“post-millennial” children and
young adults born in 1995 or after—is following closely
in their footsteps. Millennials and post-
millennials were sensitized at an
early age to the impact they have
on the environment, as they were
exposed to recycling, energy
conservation, and other socially
responsible practices at home and
school. They are keenly interested
in learning how they can make a
difference in helping safeguard
our planet for future generations.
One such opportunity, embraced
by Future Farmers of America
(FFA) members each June at
Iowa Speedway, is earth-friendly
American ethanol.
Founded in 1928 by a group of
agricultural students, the FFA has
evolved from its purely farming roots to
an organization that today welcomes members
who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists,
business owners, and more. The FFA makes a positive
difference in the lives of students by developing their
potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and
career success through agricultural education. FFA
membership today is comprised of 653,359 student
members in grades 7 through 12 who belong to one
of 8,568 local FFA chapters throughout the United
States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Syngenta, a leading agriculture company, is a
strong supporter of both the FFA and ethanol, and
understands the positive impact each has on the
future of rural America. For the past four years,
Syngenta and FFA members have worked together
at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, to spread the
word about the benefits of renewable fuels and
educate consumers on the value of ethanol. FFA
members have also collected contributions for
the Prime the Pump Fund, an industry initiative
to help make higher ethanol blends more readily
available. Syngenta matches money raised by FFA
members at the race each year for the Prime the
Pump Fund and makes a contribution to
participating chapters.
Earlier this year, members of
the Twin Cedars FFA chapter
in Bussey, Iowa, again had the
opportunity to engage racegoers
at the NASCAR® Xfinity Series
American Ethanol E15 250
presented by Enogen®. Miranda
Johnson, former chapter advisor,
says working at the race has
been an excellent opportunity
for her students to develop
leadership skills and share
knowledge on a topic they
care about.
“Our students are the future, and they
understand the important role renewable
fuels play in fueling our country,” Johnson says.
“They were excited to educate and engage with
the public about the importance of renewable fuels
and the value of E15 while helping raise money
for their chapter.”
Twin Cedars FFA members learn about ethanol
and its various benefits through their classroom
curriculum. Then, they get to see it at work firsthand
during the race, where all NASCAR teams run
on Sunoco Green E15, a biofuel blended with 15
percent American-made ethanol, and have for more
than 10 million miles.
Pew Research, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/25/
millennials-overtake-baby-boomers/
1
24
AMERICAN ETHANOL THE MAGAZINE