Great Lakes

Michigan and Ontario

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2025 Winner: Ithaca FFA

Our 2025 ACH Seeds Homegrown Giving winner in the Great Lakes region is the Ithaca FFA. The oldest FFA chapter in Michigan, this program offers students the unique opportunity to learn how to manage crops at its 48-acre land lab. ACH Seeds’ $10,000 donation will help them install tile drainage in the land lab to improve crop success, hands-on learning, and long-term sustainability for the program.

The Ithaca FFA chapter has been working in the land-lab since 1965, but recent yields and field conditions have revealed the consequences of poor drainage. With a modern drainage system in place, students will be able to plant earlier, grow healthier crops and generate more revenue from harvests. That income is then reinvested into equipment, student-led projects and FFA learning activities, creating a cycle that strengthens both the FFA program and the surrounding ag community.

ithaca ffa homegrown giving check presentation
ACH Seeds independent sales agent Peter Maxwell (far right) presents the donation check to FFA advisor Leslie Siefka (center left) and other members of the chapter.
ithaca ffa student standing in the land lab by a tractor
The land lab is a true student-managed crop project: students take soil samples, plan the crop, monitor progress throughout the growing season and help harvest with support from other local ag companies and volunteers.
view of the land lab from the sky
The donation will allow the chapter to install tile drainage across its 48-acre land lab – a transformative upgrade that will improve crop success, hands-on learning and long-term sustainability for the program.
ithaca ffa student on a tractor
With a modern drainage system in place, students will be able to plant earlier, grow healthier crops and generate more revenue from harvests.
Homegrown Giving

Learn More About Our 2025 Winner

In the Great Lakes region, ACH Seeds’ 2025 Homegrown Giving winner is the Ithaca FFA.

Hear from the Winner

This investment gives our students an incredible opportunity to manage a real crop from the ground up. It’s going to take our program to the next level, and we’re extremely grateful to ACH Seeds for supporting us.

Leslie Siefka Ithaca Agriscience Teacher and FFA Advisor
leslie siefka

Eligible Counties

  • Michigan - Arenac, Bay, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Lapeer, Macomb, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Tuscola
  • Ontario - Kent and Lambton

Past Winners

You can click here to learn about the Great Lakes region's past Homegrown Giving award winners.

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