For Immediate Release
December 14, 2004

LANSING — Larry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association, was awarded the Honorary American FFA Degree. Meyer accepted the honor at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The degree is given by the National Future Farmers of America Organization to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.

National FFA works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Through the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people have a chance to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well being of the nation. The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond the valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturalists.

"For a farm kid from Illinois, this is a great honor," said Meyer upon receiving the degree. Meyer participated in FFA while in high school and later served on the Michigan FFA Board of Directors for six years. Under his leadership, Michigan Retailers Association has hosted an annual legislative breakfast for Michigan FFA’s leadership.

Meyer has been CEO of Michigan Retailers Association since 1972 and has received appointments from three Michigan governors, including director of the Michigan Department of Commerce; he currently serves on numerous boards as well as the Lansing City Council. He received his bachelor’s degree from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois and his masters of business administration from Northwood University.

FFA is a national youth organization of 464,267 student members preparing for leadership careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture, with 7,194 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 premiere leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation’s largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers. MRA’s more than 5,800 retail business members operate more than 13,000 stores across the state.