INDIANAPOLIS —The National FFA Foundation announced that Kubota Tractor Corporation is donating 15 RTV900 utility vehicles and five portable commercial electric power generators to the Seeds of Hope campaign to help rebuild the agricultural education programs and assist FFA chapters in disaster relief efforts in five Gulf States hit hard by hurricanes in 2005.

“We are pleased that Kubota Tractor Corporation is joining the FFA Seeds of Hope effort to assist those who suffered extensive damage and loss from these hurricanes,” said Dennis C. Sargent, division director of the National FFA Foundation. Sargent said the Kubota donation is valued at $200,000 and brings the Seeds of Hope total of cash and in-kind services to $770,000.

National FFA staff worked with state agricultural education leaders to identify schools needing assistance in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas. The utility vehicles and power generators will be delivered to Kubota dealerships nearest to the school locations. Local school officials will then coordinate with Kubota dealers for pickup and service of the equipment. Distribution should be completed by April 2006.

“We want our Kubota dealerships in the school locations to be an integral part of the rebuilding process and to be available for service and help,” said Greg Embury, vice president of sales at Kubota Tractor Corporation. Local Kubota dealers will prepare the units and provide basic training to the FFA advisors on the specific use and functions of the equipment.

Local FFA chapters can choose to donate use of the RTV utility vehicles and generators to local disaster relief agencies if they are working together. The FFA chapter will maintain ownership and possession of the equipment after relief efforts are completed.

The distribution plan for the RTV900 utility vehicles is as follows:

1. Johnson Bayou High School, Cameron – Kim Montie, FFA Advisor

2. Hackberry High School, Hackberry – Steve Racca, FFA Advisor

3. Grand Lake High School, Lake Charles – Gary Pool, FFA Advisor

4. South Cameron High School, Creole – Nicky Rodrigue, FFA Advisor

5. Erath High School, Erath – Kirk Soileau, FFA Advisor

6. Sulphur High School, Sulphur – Chuck Kinney, FFA Advisor

Florida (3)

1. Clewiston High School, Clewiston – Mike Swindle, FFA Advisor

2. Charlotte High School, Punta Gorda – Teddy Lynn, FFA Advisor

3. Northview High School, Bratt – Perry Byars, FFA Advisor

Mississippi (3)

1. Forrest County Agriculture High School, Brooklyn – Mike Dale and Yancie Ross, FFA Advisors

2. Green County Vocational Technical High School, Leakesville – Tom Wallace, FFA Advisor

3. West Harrison Vocational Center, Long Beach – Mike Murphy, FFA Advisor

Texas (2)

1. Woodville High School, Woodville – Reagan Pillack, FFA Advisor

2. Silsbee High School, Silsbee – Karen Eaves, FFA Advisor

Alabama (1)

1. G.H. Bryant Career Technical Center, Irvington – Tony Tillman, FFA Advisor

A detailed description of the RTV900 utility vehicle can be found at:

http://www.kubota.com/product/RTV900/RTV900.aspx

The distribution plan for the five portable commercial power generators is:

1. Mississippi – Green County Vocational Technical High School, Leakesville – Tom Wallace, FFA Advisor

2. Mississippi – Pearl River High School, Carierre – Quentin McCardle, FFA Advisor

3. Alabama – G.H. Bryant Career Technical Center, Irvington – Tony Tillman, FFA Advisor

4. Florida – Clewiston High School, Clewiston – Mike Swindle, FFA Advisor

5. Louisiana – Starks High School, Starks – Regina Smart, FFA Advisor

FFA is a national youth organization of 490,017 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,210 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.

Kubota Tractor Corporation markets a complete line of tractors up to 103 PTO horsepower, along with a line of performance-matched implements, utility vehicles, construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, and commercial turf products. For product literature or dealer location information, contact Kubota Tractor Corporation at 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, Calif., 90503, 1-888-4KUBOTA ext. 900 (1-888-458-2682), or visit www.kubota.com .