Rabobank is co-sponsoring the New Century Farmers (NCF) conference for the next thrc
years. This five-day conference, organised by the National FFA Organization (formerly Futu
Farmers of America) and co-sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, aims to develc
the entrepreneurial, professional and leadership skills of an elite group of Americc
agricultural students with an eye towards their future success. Besides developir
participants' professional abilities, the conference also focuses on key issues affectir
agriculture - such as new technologies and risk management. Competition for
place in the programme istough. FFA received 128 applicationsfor just
places at the 2005 conference in Des Moines, lowa in July. As a sponsc
Rabobank is actively involved in the organisation of the conferenc
f^js yea^ Rabobank staff gave presentations on building a busine
plan, farm financing and the global marketplace. 'Rabobank's financi
and resource contributions meant we were able to extend the evei
from a four-day to a five-day conference,' says Jim Armbruster, Education
Specialist, Convention and Convention Related Events for the National FF
tl|: Organization. 'Rabobank's sponsorship also makes wider outreach possible ar
"V 1 f i\ h IS ifj
will be used to create lesson materials-for agricultural education at high school
junior colleges and post-secondary technical schools throughout Americi
Rabobank
I II j;\ «Ml f •-
