The annual award, which was presented at the 91st National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Ind., honors organizations, agencies, businesses or other groups who have made outstanding contributions to FFA and agricultural education on a national level.

DFA Board member Brian Rexing, a dairy farmer from Owensville, Ind., accepted the award on behalf of DFA. Culver Franchising System of Prairie du Sac, Wis., and Lincoln Electric/The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio, also were honored as 2018 Distinguished Service Citation recipients.

“Developing and engaging young farmers is critical to our industry’s future, and we appreciate this honor and all the work that the FFA does to help shape future agricultural leaders,” says Kristen Coady, vice president of corporate communications at DFA.

DFA has supported the National FFA for 45 years by helping fund and assist youth pursuing education and careers in agriculture. Additionally, their support of the Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event has helped strengthen FFA members in their knowledge of quality production, processing, distribution, promotion and marketing of milk and dairy foods.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training though agricultural education to more than 668,989 student members who belong to one of 8,630 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by more than 344,000 alumni members in 2,051 chapters throughout the U.S.

About Dairy Farmers of America

Dairy Farmers of America is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving more than 14,500 family farmers, DFA works with some of the world’s largest food companies to develop ingredients that satisfy their customers’ cravings while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, please visit dfamilk.com.

About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a youth organization of 668,989 student members as part of 8,630 local FFA chapters in all 50 states., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is supported by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 local FFA Alumni chapters throughout the U.S. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog