St. Louis-based Monsanto is funding several National FFA Organization initiatives in 2012, supporting national conferences and educational awards for students to build personal growth, experiences and leadership skills.

West Plains High School in West Plains, Mo., leads the 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge with 532 votes. The competition has FFA chapters in seven states competing for the most support from their local farmers and ends May 1.

CSX recently pledged nearly $700,000 to the National FFA Foundation for the sponsorship of a variety of FFA programs, including the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education.