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Photos from the April FFA Iowa Leadership Conference Career Fair where Smithfield Foods held a reception to celebrate the achievements of the Learners to Leaders graduating class of 2009.

The reception also acknowledged the students selected to participate in the program for the 2009-2010 school year.

Smithfield Foods at the Iowa Science Bound Banquet in Des Moines, IA in May.

Students at the Iowa Science Bound Banquet in Des Moines, IA.

This April, Smithfield Foods participated in the FFA Iowa Leadership Conference Career Fair and held a reception to celebrate the achievements of the Learners to Leaders graduating class of 2009. The reception also acknowledged the students selected to participate in the program for the 2009-2010 school year.

Smithfield's Learners to Leaders alliance with the National FFA organization provides invaluable tools designed to enhance the leadership and career development skills, as well as personal growth of students, at six northwest Iowa high schools preparing for eventual agribusiness careers.

The event included speakers from the school district, John Morrell, Smithfield Foods and was attended by local government and business leaders. John Morrell provided the BBQ meal.

Graduating students received Learners to Leaders pins, while new students received a branded padfolio, pen and welcome letter. Our representative, Dave Townsend, thanked the Sioux Falls School District and Southeast Technical Institute for their hard work and dedication in making Learners to Leaders a reality and success, and restated Smithfield Foods’ commitment to education and other programs that better our communities.

On May 1st, Smithfield Foods attended the Iowa Science Bound Banquet in Des Moines, IA. The event celebrated the Science Bound program, its sponsor partners (including Smithfield), graduating seniors, Science Bound graduates who now are in college and current students. In attendance were students currently enrolled in the program, as well as undergraduate and graduate college students who are among the many Science Bound success stories.

Launched in 2006, Learners to Leaders is a national education alliance funded by the Smithfield-Luter Foundation. With additional support and expertise from our independent operating companies and local educational partners, the program works to close the education gap for underprivileged students in our employees’ communities. Over three years, the Smithfield-Luter Foundation has contributed over $660,000 to Learners to Leaders.