Money Awarded to Reese Public Schools, Sanilac Career Center, North Huron Schools, and Cass City Public Schools

In partnership with the Michigan FFA Foundation, Michigan Sugar Company is honored to announce the recipients in the initial class of the cooperative’s FFA Mini-Grant program. Existing and newly established FFA chapters throughout Michigan Sugar’s growing region could apply for up to $3,000 of funding toward a project that expands the breadth or depth of the chapter’s programming. The grant recipients are:

  • Reese Public Schools – $1,000 towards the re-establishment of the chapter and rabbit and quail cages
  • Sanilac Career Center – $1,000 toward the purchase of a power washer to expand program health and safety efforts
  • North Huron Schools – $1,500 towards the installation of a sidewalk to make a newly constructed pavilion accessible for all students
  • Cass City Public Schools – $1,500 towards the purchase of a small garden tractor to improve chapter efficiency and establish tractor safety programs

In Reese, academic instructor Samantha DePrekel and her first-year class are spearheading the re-establishment of Reese’s FFA chapter after a decades-long hiatus. In addition to raising rabbits to take to the county fair this summer, the club has eyes on making a more significant, positive environmental impact in Tuscola County.

“I’ve taught environmental science classes here at Reese and my previous districts, and kids can no longer identify northern bobwhite quail because you don’t see them in the wild anymore,” said DePrekel. “They used to be a major hunting bird but are rare now. This program and grant will allow us to help restore the local population.”

Chapter member Aiden Bucholz said the impact of the grant is more personal.

“My grandfather was in FFA, but my dad wasn’t because there wasn’t a chapter. It’s nice that I get to be a part of it now.”

In Sanilac, improving student health, safety, and efficiency is the name of the game. Previously, the FFA chapter shared power washing equipment with other programs at the career center.

“Now, having a dedicated unit for FFA will greatly increase our biosecurity, not only in terms of the health and welfare of the animals on site but also for our students who work with the animals and equipment,” said program advisor Jasmine McNary.

The new power washer will also clean the career center’s maple syrup equipment. The students travel to an off-campus forest through an external partnership to tap maple trees and collect the sap. The sap is then returned to campus, where students transform it into maple syrup. Approximately 75 gallons are produced annually and sold through a fundraiser at the career center year-round.

For North Huron Schools, the mini-grant is helping put the final touches on an outdoor pavilion that will enhance learning opportunities for the FFA chapter and the school. Ag Assistant Nicole Welchner explained the situation, saying “The pavilion is not an official school space that can be used for learning until it’s fully accessible and meets ADA requirements. This sidewalk project will check all the boxes to make it usable, officially. Construction will start in the spring once the ground thaws. We can’t wait for students from kindergarten to 12th grade be able to immerse themselves in the natural world they are studying.”

Lastly, the Cass City chapter will expand its program offerings to include tractor safety, which is critical to any farm. However, Agrisciences Instructor Heather Middleton believes the students will be most excited about the new tractor as it will reduce the manual labor required for the club’s projects. When asked about the first project with the new tractor, Middleton said they have philanthropic ambitions in mind.

“One of the first projects the tractor will be used for in the fall will be a potato field for the students to tend,” she said. “We intend to donate all the potatoes we grow to Cass City food pantries to help our neighbors in need.”

Cass City Superintendent Allison Zumba emphasized the importance of companies like Michigan Sugar being involved in the school systems.

“When companies invest in our programs, it brings awareness to our kids of career destination opportunities that will keep them local,” she said.

Alex Schnabelrauch, Executive Director of the Michigan FFA Foundation, echoed Zumba’s sentiments saying, “Michigan Sugar Company’s grants significantly enhance students’ hands-on learning throughout agricultural education classrooms. Such dedicated industry partnerships allow us to offer life-changing personal development, career exploration, and leadership opportunities to over 8,800 members. With a rich history in the Great Lakes Bay and Thumb regions, Michigan Sugar understands the vital importance of investing in the communities where they live and operate, and we’re grateful for their local and statewide support.”

Michigan Sugar Company’s partnership with the Michigan FFA Foundation will continue in 2025, with support at the State Convention in March, the Region III and VI Leadership Camps in May, the Washington Leadership Conference in June, and the year-round support of the State Officers Team.

The application for Michigan Sugar’s 2026 Mini-Grant Program will open in December 2025. For more information on our 2025 grant recipients and all of Michigan Sugar’s community work, follow the cooperative on Facebook or visit michigansugar.com/community/.