National FFA Organization Vows Full Cooperation with Congressional Probe into Syngenta Sponsorship

The youth agricultural education group says it will cooperate with inquiry into its partnership with Chinese-owned company.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The National FFA Organization, a nonprofit that provides agricultural education to over 1 million students, says it will fully cooperate with a congressional inquiry into its sponsorship deal with Syngenta Group, a company owned by Chinese interests. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to remaining nonpartisan and free from donor influence, while noting the review takes place amid increased scrutiny of U.S. nonprofits' ties to foreign entities.

Why it matters

The congressional probe led by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Congressional FFA Caucus raises concerns about foreign influence and whether the National FFA Organization is operating in line with its tax-exempt status and stated mission as an agricultural education provider. The inquiry reflects growing bipartisan skepticism around collaborations between U.S. nonprofits and companies with foreign ownership links.

The details

The National FFA Organization issued a statement saying it will cooperate with the congressional inquiry, which is focused on the group's partnership with Syngenta Group, a company owned by Chinese interests. FFA declined to share further details, citing the ongoing investigation. The review is being led by House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO), Oversight Subcommittee Chair David Schweikert (R-AZ), and FFA Caucus Co-Chair Tracey Mann (R-KS), who expressed concerns about foreign influence and whether FFA is prioritizing 'woke policies over [its] mission'.

  • The National FFA Organization received the congressional inquiry on February 3, 2026.
  • The congressional probe is currently ongoing.

The players

National FFA Organization

A nonprofit, non-partisan organization that provides agricultural education to over 1 million students across the United States through state and local chapters.

Syngenta Group

A Chinese-owned agribusiness company that is a corporate sponsor of the National FFA Organization.

Jason Smith

Republican Congressman from Missouri's 8th district and Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.

David Schweikert

Republican Congressman from Arizona's 1st district and Chair of the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee.

Tracey Mann

Republican Congressman from Kansas' 1st district and Co-Chair of the Congressional FFA Caucus.

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What they’re saying

“From the international funding sources and activities of tax-exempt entities in the U.S., and the role of certain organizations in fostering antisemitism in American society, the Committee has engaged in continuous oversight ensuring all tax-exempt organizations are abiding by their exempt status and are avoiding actions that may erode, evade, or violate the purposes for which their tax-exempt status was granted. The National FFA is an organization that is dedicated to educating America's youth in 'leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.' This mission is critical to the future of American farming, as over one million student members, across more than nine thousand state and local chapters in the United States, look to the National FFA for guidance. Working with our nation's foreign adversaries and prioritizing woke policies over your mission raises serious concerns regarding whether the National FFA is complying with the requirements to maintain tax-exempt status.”

— Jason Smith, David Schweikert, Tracey Mann, House Ways and Means Committee Chair, Oversight Subcommittee Chair, and FFA Caucus Co-Chair (Letter to National FFA CEO)

What’s next

The House Ways and Means Committee and Congressional FFA Caucus will continue their investigation into the National FFA Organization's partnership with Syngenta Group and its compliance with tax-exempt status requirements.

The takeaway

This congressional probe reflects growing bipartisan scrutiny over U.S. nonprofits' ties to foreign entities, particularly those with links to adversarial nations like China. The outcome could have significant implications for the National FFA Organization's funding, operations, and ability to fulfill its mission of agricultural education for American youth.