The South Dakota FFA Foundation is proud to establish the Craig and Maure Weinkauf Endowment, with a legacy gift from Craig and Maure Weinkauf to support FFA members. Interest from the endowment fund will fund the South Dakota FFA Wildlife Management and Production competition and other competition award areas as funds permit. This award honors FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills involving wildlife and habitat management specifically for wildlife and the enhancement and availability of fish and wildlife through of practices such as the improvement or development of terrestrial and aquatic habitat, wildlife surveys, trapping or restocking of fish and wild game.
Craig and Maure established the fund because they value the growth that FFA provides to young people, developing leadership and agricultural skills. Craig served as an agricultural education instructor from 1974 to 1977 in Miller and from 1980 to 2004 in Watertown in the Lake Area Multi-District. When they were no longer connecting with students in the classroom, the Weinkaufs chose to support members by sponsoring the Wildlife Management and Production Competition. Craig and Maure were chosen for this award in honor of Craig’s father, Arthur Weinkauf, who supported wildlife causes by planting CRP and shelterbelts to improve wildlife habitat. They enjoy meeting the finalists each year at the FFA convention and hearing about their projects. After funding the award annually for twenty years, the Weinkaufs made a planned gift to endow its support in perpetuity.
Craig Weinkauf shares, “We hope our example instills in everyone the importance of supporting a variety of FFA activities. Having taught for 27 years, I have seen how these activities can motivate members to achieve their goals. “This donation means we can continue to support FFA in the future.”
“Weinkauf’s gift creates a legacy for them, becoming the SD FFA Foundation’s first competitive gift,” said Gerri Ann Eide, executive director of the South Dakota FFA Foundation. “We greatly appreciate your dedication to supporting agricultural youth interested in protecting and responsibly caring for our wildlife as we continue to find ways to feed the growing population. “We are honored by their example of providing a gift that will impact the youth of South Dakota far beyond any of us now involved.”
Anyone wishing to establish an endowment of their own or make a donation to support SD FFA members can contact the South Dakota FFA Foundation at 605-765-4865 or gerri@sdffafoundation.org.
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