BATH — The South Dakota FFA Foundation has established the Craig and Maure Weinkauf Endowment, with a legacy gift from Craig and Maure Weinkauf to support FFA members.

Interest from the endowment will fund the South Dakota FFA Wildlife Production and Management proficiency and other proficiency award areas as funds allow. This award honors FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills involving managing wildlife and habitat specifically for wildlife and the improvement and availability of fish and wildlife through practices such as land and water habitat improvement or development, wildlife surveys, trapping or the stocking of fish and wild game.

Craig and Maure established the fund because they value the growth FFA provides youth, developing leadership and agricultural skills. Craig served as an agriculture education instructor from 1974-77 in Miller and from 1980-2004 in Watertown at Lake Area Multi-District. When no longer connecting with students in the classroom, the Weinkauf’s chose to support members by sponsoring the Wildlife Production and Management Proficiency. Craig and Maure were drawn to this award to honor Craig’s father, Arthur Weinkauf, who supported wildlife causes by planting CRP and shelterbelts to improve wildlife habitat. They enjoy meeting finalists each year at the FFA convention and hearing about their projects. After funding the award annually for twenty years, the Weinkauf’s made a planned gift to endow their support in perpetuity.

Craig Weinkauf shares, “We hope our example will instill 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 endowment means that we can continue to support the FFA well into the future.”

“The Weinkaufs' gift creates a legacy for them, becoming the first endowed proficiency with the SD FFA Foundation,” said Gerri Ann Eide, executive director of the South Dakota FFA Foundation. “We greatly appreciate their dedication to supporting ag youth interested in responsibly protecting and caring for our wildlife as we continue to search for ways to feed the growing population. We are honored by their example of providing a donation that will impact South Dakota youth far beyond any of us now involved.”

Anyone wishing to establish an endowment of their own or donate to support SD FFA members may contact the South Dakota FFA Foundation at 605-765-4865 or gerri@sdffafoundation.org.