Purdue student’s nonprofit seasoning business reaches national FFA finals, donates all proceeds
Luke Schilling, a Purdue University student from Hancock County, turned his grandfather’s seasoning into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that donates all proceeds and sponsors four children. He is a top-four finalist for the national FFA American Star Award; FFA will announce the winner in October during the National FFA Convention.
Luke Schilling converted his grandfather’s secret seasoning recipe into a small business while in high school, selling initially through friends and his church and later as a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) project. The venture obtained 501(c)(3) status and now donates all proceeds to charity, currently sponsoring four children through Compassion International and World Vision.
Schilling, who is attending Purdue University, was named a national FFA American Star Award finalist and placed in the top four. FFA officials are scheduled to announce the winner in October during the National FFA Convention. Schilling says he plans to keep growing the business’s charitable impact and would consider a commercial kitchen and salary only if the nonprofit’s mission can remain intact.
BusinessIndy examines this development and its implications for Indiana businesses and communities using the linked sources.
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