Empowering Futures: Thank You to John Deere Financial

Author: Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
Published: Monday, 25 Aug 2025

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Image caption: Buy! Sell! Trade! John Deere Financial volunteers joined students in the fast-paced world of JA Stock Market Challenge.

At Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, we are grateful to partner with organizations that share our belief in the power of preparing young people for success. John Deere Financial is one of those extraordinary partners, making a lasting impact across our programs and events.

For more than 15 years, John Deere Financial has stood alongside JA, investing in programs that inspire and prepare students for their futures. As a sponsor of JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, they help bring hands-on learning experiences to life, empowering students to practice financial decision-making and career exploration in a fun, real-world setting.

Their commitment extends beyond sponsorship. During the 2024-2025 School Year, 66 employees from across the company dedicated their time volunteering in classrooms and with key capstone experiences like JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, and the JA Stock Market Challenge, which John Deere has graciously hosted for several years.

Image caption: Smiles all around! These students spent the day at John Deere Financial for JA Job Shadow, gaining hands-on career insights.

In the spring of 2025, John Deere Financial welcomed students from Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Norwalk Community School District, and West Des Moines Community Schools to their Johnston campus for a JA Job Shadow. Students spent the day exploring career paths through breakout sessions, a campus tour, networking opportunities, and a career panel, gaining a firsthand look at the many possibilities ahead of them. We’re deeply grateful to the John Deere Financial team for creating such an inspiring day and helping to shape our future workforce.

Image caption: Ringing in the excitement! Board Member Teresa Garside signals the start of the 2023 JA Stock Market Challenge.

Their leadership shines at the highest level through Teresa Garside’s service on the JA Board of Directors. Since joining in 2020, Teresa has brought energy, vision, and passion to advancing JA’s mission. Her outstanding leadership as Board President in the 2023–2024 fiscal year is a true reflection of her dedication and impact.

We are proud to recognize John Deere Financial as a partner who not only invests in our programs but also actively engages in shaping brighter futures for students. Their 15+ years of dedication demonstrate the power of corporate partnerships in making lasting change in our community.