Agricultural education in Oklahoma is getting a big boost with the announcement of a $200,000 grant from the American Electric Power Foundation to fund FFA STEM After-School Grants for the next five years.
The AEP Foundation is the charitable arm of American Electric Power, parent company of Tulsa-based electric provider, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).
The announcement was made today by PSO president and chief operating officer Peggy Simmons, who noted that the grant will expand and strengthen the program, which over the past two years has provided more than $60,000 to 24 FFA chapters in PSO-served communities across the state.
"We recognize and appreciate the important role of FFA in developing future leaders and providing education needed to ensure sustainable food supply for Oklahomans. The leadership FFA provides becomes all the more apparent during heightened times of food insecurity,” said Simmons. “With this generous grant from the AEP Foundation, students in FFA chapters across Oklahoma will have new opportunities to continue developing their potential for leadership and experiential learning that’s so important for the future of agriculture in this state.”
The individual chapter grants are administered through the Oklahoma FFA Foundation, which oversees the application and award process.
“We are very grateful to the AEP Foundation for this generous gift,” said Jacey Fye, executive director, Oklahoma FFA Foundation. “Today, STEM-related knowledge and skills are a critical component of agricultural education. With this grant, FFA students have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and, ultimately, use that knowledge to foster innovation and inspire success.”
FFA STEM After-School Grant applications will be available beginning in June, with the announcement of this year’s grant winners taking place later this summer. For more information or to apply for a grant, visit www.okffa.org.
About FFA
FFA is an integral part of the Agricultural Education division in the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system. With more than 27,000 members and 360 chapters, the Oklahoma jFFA Association is the fourth-largest state FFA association. 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. To learn more about the Oklahoma FFA Association and Foundation, visit www.okffa.org.
About the AEP Foundation
The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and its utility operating units, including Public Service Company of Oklahoma. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.
The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood education through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, support healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.
The AEP Foundation is based in Columbus, Ohio.
About PSO
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 554,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has approximately 3,800 megawatts of generating capacity fueled primarily by natural gas, 22-thousand miles of distribution lines and 37-hundred miles of transmission lines. PSO also is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. News releases and other information is at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PSOklahoma.