Over 20 Years of Calf Raffle Success
Farm Credit of Western Arkansas's Harrison branch has been hosting the calf raffle for local FFA chapters since 2002. The fundraiser has become a yearly tradition in the surrounding communities.
Since 2002, the calf raffle hosted by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas’s Harrison branch has raised over $600,000 for local FFA chapters. The fundraiser has become a yearly tradition in the communities of the 21 participating schools.
You may wonder how exactly a calf raffle works. Ever since the fundraiser’s inception, the details have remained the same: Farm Credit provides the calf, and the FFA chapters keep 100% of the profit from the raffle tickets. The price of tickets has even remained the same since 2002: $1 each.
Like most plans, the calf raffle started small. In January of 1998, Brad Matlock, Harrison loan officer, had a fundraiser idea and decided to reach out to Bergman FFA to participate.
“It was a great fundraiser for us,” said Bryan Pruitt, former Bergman ag teacher, and first calf raffle participant. Bryan is now the superintendent of Eureka Springs School District, but he previously taught agriculture for 18 years and was fully on board when Brad reached out with a fundraising opportunity.
“We would probably make anywhere from $500 to $1000 each year on the calf raffle,” Pruitt said.
"For smaller schools like Bergman, the chance to participate in a fundraiser without an upfront investment or small profit margin was a game-changer. “It was a great opportunity for students to make some funds for other extracurricular activities or to get us to [FFA] National Convention.”
Above: Bryan Pruitt, former Bergman ag teacher and current Superintendent at Eureka Springs School District
Bryan Pruitt also recognized the benefits Farm Credit gained from the fundraiser. Throughout his career as an ag teacher, he saw students realize what Farm Credit did for youth in agriculture, and they became future Farm Credit members. They formed a relationship with Brad and the Harrison branch so that they felt comfortable when they were ready to finance a farm or home. “They get to meet him, see him, know him. They think ‘he’s like us, he’s a farmer too,’” Pruitt said.
Some of those students who participated in the calf raffle were even inspired to work for Farm Credit one day.
“Farm Credit and Brad have had a tangible impact on me, my FFA chapter, and so many of my classmates, all because of this investment into our local FFA chapter,” said Brady Willis, Harrison loan officer and FFA alumnus. Willis attended St. Joe High School in St. Joe, Arkansas. Like Bergman students, he was able to attend many of the events and activities he did because of funding from the calf raffle.
“Brad has helped so many of our local FFA chapters grow into what they are today,” Willis said. “The calf raffle is truly a game changer for so many. I am so proud to have participated in it, and now have a hand in giving back to the chapters and advisors that helped shape me into who I am today.”
Above: Brady Willis, Harrison loan officer and former St. Joe FFA member
In 2022, Mountain Home FFA took home the prize for most tickets sold with an impressive 15,105 tickets. Josh Baker, Mountain Home ag teacher, has been participating in the raffle since 2006. While the promise of a trip to FFA National Convention, an FFA jacket, or other prizes help motivate his students to sell tickets, he also attributes it to the tradition of the calf raffle. “People know it’s coming, kids know it’s coming,” Baker said. “My son is in 7th grade, and he’s been helping his sisters sell tickets for years. He is excited to finally start selling tickets for himself.”
One of Mountain Home’s top ticket sellers in 2022 was Lathe Parks, a 10th grade FFA member. He sold around 700 tickets which helped his chapter fund trips to Career Development Events–Lathe’s favorite part of FFA.
Above: Mountain Home FFA took home the prize for most tickets sold with an impressive 15,105 tickets.
While Brad is proud of the financial impact that the calf raffle has had on local FFA chapters, his favorite part of the fundraiser is hosting pizza parties for the chapters that sell the most tickets. He gets to meet the students who benefit from the raffle and see the rare work ethic that comes from organizations like FFA.
Other News
