Looking back on the past year, the nonprofit John de la Howe School Foundation has welcomed a number of generous community partners who share in the vision to support growing the future leaders of South Carolina’s largest industry here at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture.
Among the most generous of those giving partners is ADM, one of the world’s largest nutrition companies with a stated mission “to unlock the power of nature, to enrich the quality of life” by “(transforming) crops into ingredients and solutions for foods.” During 2024, ADM donated $50,000 to the John de la Howe Foundation.
“At ADM, we believe in empowering communities where we have a strong footprint and that includes investing in the future of agriculture. We are proud to support the South Carolina Governor’s School of Agriculture and the institution’s mission to inspire and educate young minds about the importance of agriculture,” said Jim Tobin, commercial manager for ADM’s oilseeds facility in Kershaw, South Carolina.
The company’s Kershaw location is one of the Illinois-based company’s many global investments across six continents. Our school’s administration truly appreciates the generosity of ADM on behalf of our students and school.
“We are grateful that ADM supports the future of agricultural leaders by investing in the Governor’s School for Agriculture,” said Dr. Tim Keown, our school president and superintendent. “We have been able to procure critical agricultural equipment to advance our row crop operations here. Our students will reap the benefits of ADM’s donations for years.”
The funds provided to the John de la Howe Foundation by ADM have allowed the school to purchase a new gravity spreader, a fertilizer sprayer and new feed containers for our farm operations.
“We are incredibly grateful for ADM's contributions to our agricultural school. ADM's partnership directly supports the growth and development of our students, helping to provide them with the resources and education they need to shape the future of agriculture,” said Stacie Smith, executive director of the John de la Howe Foundation. “We thank ADM for their commitment to empowering the next generation of farmers, innovators, and leaders. With this support we are together creating a sustainable and thriving agricultural community."
Additionally, ADM’s donations supported the purchase of instructional resources for the school library; funded student travel to the National FFA Organization’s Washington Leadership Conference and participation in the National Conservation Foundation’s annual Envirothon, which focuses on natural resource conservation efforts.
“The South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture plays a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of leaders in the agricultural sector by providing students with hands-on learning experiences and a robust curriculum,” Mr. Tobin added. “We are thrilled to express our ongoing commitment to fostering education and to help make a meaningful impact in the local community.”
For additional information on the John de la Howe Foundation and its work in support of students at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture, visit their website at www.jdlhfoundation.com.