Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. announced it has contributed more than $40,000 in critical cash and equipment to five local riding groups to support OHV access in their respective areas.

The awards – part of Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative third quarter funding cycle of GRANTs (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails) – coincided with the company’s participation at the 87th National Future Farmers of America (NFFA) Convention and Expo in October, where Yamaha went to great lengths to promote safe, responsible ATV and Side-by-Side vehicle use to future farmers.

“The National FFA convention is a terrific opportunity to discuss the importance of safe and responsible riding habits for all uses of off-highway vehicles, whether recreational or as farming equipment,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and SxS group marketing manager. “The expanded platform of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has increased its importance as a vehicle for reaching out to OHV users within the greater outdoor recreation community.”

Yamaha’s multifaceted support of the NFFA and its members includes Yamaha’s annual sponsorship of the National Agricultural Proficiency Award for Outdoor Recreation. This year’s Proficiency Award was given to Garret Eugene Leeds of Ohio fordeveloping outdoor recreational activities as an income-producing enterprise on his uncle’s farm that improved marketing abilities and social media exposure.

Yamaha also partnered with the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) for its booth activities that taught hands-on safety lessons with an ATV simulator, gave away a custom painted NFFA helmet and ran a Viking giveaway promotion to NFFA Alumni to encourage their participation and future involvement in safety training for their chapters.

“Yamaha has been proactive in promoting responsible messages to National FFA members and alumni,” said National FFA Alumni Promotional Program Manager Jada Buchanan. “NFFA Alumni members all around the country were thrilled to hear about Yamaha’s Viking promotion, and the NFFA applauds the company’s efforts to support the future of agriculture.”

NFFA alumna Kaitlyn Benjamin of Massachusetts was the lucky winner of the Viking drawing.

“When the FFA Alumni Association notified me that I was one in five recipients to win the Yamaha Viking SxS, I was ecstatic. I never thought I would really win. I was simply thrilled to know I had a chance,” said Benjamin. “Winning this Yamaha will be a huge asset to the family farm, where it can take 10 or more minutes to reach the outer borders. This SxS vehicle will surely be put to good use, and I’m so happy to have received such an amazing gift from the FFA Alumni Association and Yamaha.”

The third quarter Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative GRANT recipients are:

•    Aroostook Riders ATV Club, Maine

•    Coastal Off-Road Riders Association (CORRA), South Carolina

•    Mountwood Park ATV Adventures, West Virginia

•    Rice Creek Trail Association, Minnesota

•    Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association (VASA)

The projects awarded GRANTs support the program’s industry-leading dedication to safe, responsible riding and open sustainable access to land, trails and riding areas for OHV users. Yamaha continues to seek qualified projects and applications at local, state and federal levels. The current Outdoor Access Initiative GRANT application form and guidelines are available online at www.yamahaoutdooraccess.com.