With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to grow twice as quickly as other industries, Seaboard Foods contributed $38,300 to several rural high schools where it operates to fund industrial arts programs and equipment. Several of the donations were made in partnership with CoBank’s Sharing Success program, which funds community and educational efforts in rural America.
In Oklahoma, Seaboard Foods and CoBank donated $20,000 to fund the new metal and welding program at Hooker High School. The contribution supplies five new welding machines for 40 students to learn technical, problem-solving and STEM skills. Graduates with these skills are highly sought after in agriculture, manufacturing and other industries that are prevalent in rural economies.