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Virginia Produce Co. is partnering with Virginia Future Farmers of America to provide scholarships to Virginia FFA members pursuing a career in agriculture through the 2-Year Ag Tech program at Virginia Tech.

A June 7 Virginia FFA Foundation news release said Virginia Produce processes sweet corn that is sold through multiple grocery chains in the commonwealth. A portion of all sweet corn sold in Harris Teeter stores in Virginia and North Carolina through the month of June will be used to offer these scholarships.

Virginia Produce Co. leaders were joined by Virginia FFA state officers and staff at Harris Teeter locations in Williamsburg, Warrenton and Charlottesville June 11 to promote the program.

While the total scholarship amount for 2022 is not yet known as of June 7, Virginia Produce Co. Chief Executive Officer Moir Beamer expected the total amount to be between $10,000 and $20,000, with a greatly expanded program in 2023. The first scholarships are to awarded at the 96th annual Virginia State FFA Convention, June 27-30, at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Produce began as Beamer Produce in Hillsville in 1955.

“The Beamer family is a big believer in the future of agriculture,” officials stated. “Mr. Moir Beamer set out to not only give back to the organization that gives so much to these future leaders, but to also foster a relationship with students wishing to engage in production agriculture.”

Over the years, several of Virginia Produce Co.’s longest-tenured employees have been products of FFA.

“Our mission is all about making doors a little bigger for as many Virginia FFA members as we can,” said Jennifer Armstrong, executive director of the Virginia FFA Foundation. “This new partnership is a great opportunity to help some 2-Year Ag Tech students who are on their path to contributing in big ways to the future of agriculture in Virginia.”