PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Illustrating its commitment to investing in farming's future, FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) is helping youth education through a support of The Future Farmers of America (FFA).

"To continue America's leadership in agriculture, we need to engage students now," said John Kasper, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America commercial business director. "FFA prepares students for more than 300 careers and reaches more than 600,000 members. Our support can make a positive difference in the lives of many young people who will be the future scientists, business leaders and educators in global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resource industries."

FMC is providing grants to FFA chapters in each of its three, U.S. FMC Agricultural Solutions plant communities. The support is aimed at helping expand students' interest in science and agriculture by engaging with FMC visiting scientists, and developing vital career skills through participation in Career Development Events (CDE). The local FFA chapters earning grants are located at Walter Biddle Saul High School in Philadelphia, Pa., Stark County High School in Toulon, Ill., and Royalton-Hartland High School in Middleport, N.Y.

Nationally, students will be recognized with the FFA Agriscience Plant Systems Research Proficiency Award, which is co-sponsored by FMC. This award supports students engaged in plant systems research. The research covers the life cycles, classifications, functions and practices of plant systems related to crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs and/or ornamental plants. Awards are made available to every FFA chapter across the country. Four national finalists will receive a $500 cash award, and the winner receives an additional $500 award. FMC executives will judge the national finalist entries and present the awards during the National FFA Convention on October 29-31.

"FFA makes it possible for students to match their classroom learning with supervised experiences, and leadership programs," said Glenn Sims, National FFA Foundation senior regional director. "It is because of the ongoing educational support from our sponsors, such as FMC, that agricultural students grow and gain career success."

For more information on FMC crop protection solutions, please visit www.FMCcrop.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FMCcrop.

About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 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, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

About FMC

FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2013, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.9 billion. The company employs approximately 5,600 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition, and FMC Minerals. For more information, visit www.FMC.com.

FMC Media contact: Paul Redhage - 636.742.2539
paul.redhage@fmc.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111101/NE97440LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fmc-corporation-invests-in-farmings-future-through-ffa-student-initiatives-681520134.html

SOURCE FMC Corporation