Dallas/Fort Worth (July 8, 2026) — The Ariat Texas Rattlers, 2023 PBR Teams World Champions, announced today the launch of the Chevron Ride For Agriculture program, a first-of-its-kind statewide agricultural education initiative designed to educate and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders through specialized curriculum centered on agriculture, western heritage, and leadership development. Created in collaboration with Chevron and the Texas FFA Association, the initiative will invest an estimated $100,000 into participating FFA chapters across Texas during the 2026–27 school year while empowering high school students to bring agricultural education directly into elementary classrooms.
The announcement comes as thousands of FFA students, advisors and agricultural leaders gather at the Fort Worth Convention Center for the 98th Texas FFA State Convention. The 12 inaugural chapters include: Plainview, Klondike, Tomball Memorial, Jacksboro, Valley View, Gilmer, Llano, Corsicana, North Zulch, Karnes City, Boling, and Vandergrift
“It’s an honor to be trailblazing a first-of-its-kind program with Chevron and community partners who value the education and success of our young Texans,” said Morgan Wallace, Ariat Texas Rattlers, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach. “As a professional bull riding team, the Ariat Texas Rattlers understand that western sports are a small part of the greater ecosystem of our agricultural heritage. This program is designed to showcase the hardworking men and women at every level who contribute to the vitality of this industry.”
When asked about the significance of this new program, Valerie Acosta, Chevron’s Community Engagement Advisor said, “At Chevron, we believe investing in education is one of the most impactful ways we can support the future of our communities. The Ride for Agriculture program brings that commitment to life by equipping Texas FFA students with the tools to lead, teach, and inspire the next generation, while strengthening the agricultural foundation that is so critical to our state.”
Designed to empower high school FFA students as classroom leaders, the FFA Service Learning Project, which focuses on STEAM and agricultural learning, allows students to bring ag education directly to elementary schools while helping high school students build communication, leadership and workforce readiness skills. Starting in August 2026 and running through the 2026–2027 academic school year, the initiative includes one FFA chapter from each of Texas' 12 FFA Areas, creating a statewide footprint while allowing the curriculum and implementation process to be refined before broader expansion.
Each participating chapter receives a program kit for youth education initiatives, which includes the Rattlers Venom’s 8 Second Dream children’s book, elementary curriculum lessons that align to TEKS standards for 3rd graders, lesson instructions and educational videos, student leadership and training videos presented by Germania Insurance, and content to help high school students lead classroom experiences. The program is built to introduce elementary-aged kids to the high-adrenaline world of PBR bull riding while simultaneously introducing them to the western lifestyle, veterinary science, and agriculture and livestock production. Participating chapters will track classroom reach and community impact, while planning for how to grow the program annually.
Wallace continued, “The best way to learn is to teach. The Chevron Ride For Agriculture program is built on that idea—connecting the next generation with the story of agriculture while giving high school FFA students the opportunity to become the advocates our industry needs. As they work in elementary classrooms, our bull riders will be working in the arena raising funds through Chevron's $800 for 8 program.”
Through the program, the 12 chapters will compete for the Chevron $800 for 8 Grants—a philanthropic collaboration from Chevron in which team bull riders fuel the annual grant pool via every successful Rattlers’ 8-second ride. To date, Chevron $800 for 8 has raised almost $200,000 for charitable causes. Within the Chevron Ride For Agriculture Program, chapters will earn points based on the number of elementary students who complete the curriculum, and will be judged on their ability to manage and grow their project. The four top-performing chapters will split the grant.
All 12 participating chapters receive a $2,000 stipend to offset costs associated with delivering the program in local elementary schools, and the four winning chapters will split the Chevron $800 for 8 Award Fund, which is projected to total approximately $80,000. That means winning chapters could receive up to approximately $20,000 each to reinvest within their agricultural education program.
For more information about the Ariat Texas Rattlers, visit texasrattlers.com, Texas Rattlers on Facebook, or @texasrattlersofficial on Instagram.
For more information about the Ariat Texas Rattlers or to set up an interview, please contact Ivy Lopez at ivy@hollandcollective.co.
Photo courtesy of the Texas Rattlers