ATHENS, Georgia — The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) received a $300,000 gift from the CHS Foundation, St. Paul, Minn. during the annual NACTA conference, held this year, June 16-19, 2015, at the University of Georgia.
NACTA is dedicated to the improvement of teaching and learning in post-secondary agriculture, food and natural resources programs. The organization provides professional development opportunities for post-secondary faculty in agriculture, food and natural resources. Faculty involved in NACTA directly leverage the future of agriculture through training the agricultural workforce for the future.
Over the next three years, the CHS grant will be used to maintain and grow the organization. Funds will be used to grow membership and participation in events including targeting faculty from two-year institutions, increasing conference participation through virtual interactions and enhancing teacher awards and contests.
“The CHS Foundation is proud to partner with NACTA to provide more opportunities for post-secondary agriculture professionals,” said William Nelson, president CHS Foundation and vice president, CHS Corporate Citizenship. “Our support will allow NACTA to create a collaborative space where these individuals can network and learn from one another for years to come.”
Currently, NACTA serves over 900 members who represent academic institutions in 43 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad-Tobago, and Iran. The organization publishes the quarterly peer-reviewed NACTA Journal and maintains online resources for post-secondary teachers. The group also hosts an annual conference every June, which brings nearly 400 educators together for workshops, presentations and networking.
The CHS Foundation is the major giving entity of CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company. As a part of the CHS stewardship focus, the CHS Foundation is committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture and cooperative business through education and leadership development.
