The GROWMARK Foundation proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Mike Builta Memorial FFA Jacket Contest.
Since the contest began, the GROWMARK Foundation has provided 175 jackets to Illinois FFA members. Entrants were asked to explain what the FFA jacket means to them and describe the primary goal they hope to accomplish as an FFA member. The contest was promoted through Illinois FFA’s weekly newsletter.
Each year, Mike Builta’s family reviews the submissions and selects 25 students to receive an FFA jacket, scarf or tie, as well as a commemorative FFA/GROWMARK pin bearing Builta’s name.
Mike Builta was raised on a family farm near Bellflower, Illinois. He was an active FFA member and lifelong supporter of agricultural education. He held GROWMARK System management roles at Christian County Farmers Supply Company in Taylorville, Illinois, and GRAINCO FS in Ottawa, Illinois, before becoming GROWMARK Vice President of Energy and Logistics in 2018.
The GROWMARK Foundation congratulates these Illinois FFA chapters with a student who had a winning entry.
- Maroa Forsyth FFA
- St. Isidore FFA
- Tuscola FFA
- Rochelle FFA
- Putnam County FFA
- Central Breese FFA
- Blue Ridge FFA
- North Clay FFA
- Nokomis FFA
- LaSalle-Peru FFA
- Streator FFA
- Streator FFA
- Taylorville FFA
- Taylorville FFA
- South Central FFA
About the GROWMARK Foundation
TheGROWMARK Foundation was formally incorporated in 2005 and supports 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations. The Foundation is focused on programs and activities that support the vitality of the industry of agriculture, agriculture education and consumer understanding of agriculture's contributions to society and the economy, agricultural leadership development, and education about the benefits of the cooperative way of doing business. The GROWMARK System has been involved in a variety of philanthropic efforts, including youth and young leader education and development and scholarships, for decades