Tractor Supply Co. is excited to announce the national  launch of the “Grants for Growing” program, which allows opportunities for local FFA chapters to make their communities a better place to live.

The deadline for local FFA chapters to sign up for this competitive grant process is Feb. 15. The in-store event to raise funds by allowing Tractor Supply shoppers to donate $1 at checkout will run Feb. 19-28.

In partnership with the National FFA Foundation, the “Grants for Growing” program raises funds for local FFA chapter initiatives and awards minimum $500 competitive grants to participating chapters.

While $500 is the minimum grant amount that will be awarded to selected chapters, there is no cap on the amount of funding that a chapter can choose to request for its project.

If selected, chapters can use the funds in a number of ways to benefit their community including buying vegetation, trees, seed, chickens, feed, mulch or tools to help start or expand an FFA project that will continue for years to come.

Chapter advisors are required to complete the grant application, and eligibility will be based on the evaluation of how the money will be used, volunteer hours, and promotional activities during the fundraising period.

The “Grants for Growing” application can be found at www.FFA.org/grantsforgrowing/application.

After positive feedback from pre-selected communities in 2015, the program is now being offered on a national level. All of the funds raised will remain within the state where they were raised.