John Deere Invests $2.7M and 500+ Employee Mentors to Build Skills for Tomorrow’s Workforce

News Release April 21, 2026

John Deere Invests $2.7M and 500+ Employee Mentors to Build Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce

Three-year FIRST® partnership connects students in communities across the country to hands-on robotics experience and pathways to careers in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology

MOLINE, Ill. (April 21, 2026) - John Deere announced a three-year partnership with FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), building on their fifteen-year partnership to continue expanding access to hands-on robotics programs that build the technical skills critical to careers in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and technology.

John Deere has awarded FIRST a three-year grant totaling $2.7 million, expected to reach more than 9,000 youth in communities across the globe. In FIRST programs, student teams work together to design, build, and program robots to complete specific real-world challenges-such as navigating a course autonomously or executing a precision task under time pressure.

Those experiences develop the same problem-solving, collaboration, and technical skills that define careers in fields from precision agriculture to advanced manufacturing.

"You can't build the next generation of technology in agriculture, construction, roadbuilding and forestry without the technologists and engineers who know how to work shoulder to shoulder for the common goal of creating the future," said Jahmy Hindman, senior vice president and chief technology officer at John Deere. "FIRST gives students hands-on experience with the real-world challenges our teams face every day, designing systems that are built to perform outside the lab. That problem-solving mindset is what we look for when we hire, and it is what employers across agriculture, construction, and manufacturing need right now."

John Deere's commitment extends well beyond the grant. More than 500 John Deere employees serve as mentors, coaches, and event volunteers in communities worldwide-working side by side with students as they design, build, and test their robots. These volunteers bring real-world experience from across Deere's business, from precision agriculture engineering and equipment manufacturing to software development, giving students a direct and personal connection to what these careers actually look like.

Among those mentors are former FIRST participants who are now John Deere engineers and technicians themselves-proof that FIRST programs deliver results. These FIRST alumni are giving back knowing firsthand how the skills built in competition, learning to persist through failure, collaborate under pressure, and solving real-world problems, translate directly to developing the technologies that farmers, contractors, and operators depend on every day.

"At John Deere, we believe that opportunity grows when young people are encouraged to explore, create, and see themselves as innovators," said Taryn Edgin, president of the John Deere Foundation. "This three-year commitment reflects both the investment we're making in education and the genuine dedication of our employees who give their time to mentor students in their own communities. Seeing a former FIRST student return years later as a John Deere employee-that's the story we're proud to be part of."

"For more than 15 years, John Deere has been a deeply valued partner in advancing the FIRST mission, and we are grateful for their continued investment in expanding access to hands-on, transformational learning," said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. "Together, we are equipping students with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce. We look forward to continuing to build meaningful impact together in the years ahead."

Industry partners, contractors, and community organizations interested in connecting with a local FIRST team or learning how to get involved can visit https://www.firstinspires.org.

About Deere & Company

It doesn't matter if you've never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere's role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at https://www.deere.com/en/news/.

For further information, the news media should contact:

Jen Hartmann
Global Director, Corporate Reputation and Brand Marketing
Deere & Company
[email protected]