The Equipment Dealers Foundation traces its roots to 1988 when the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) created an IRS-approved 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization – the North American Equipment Dealers Foundation. In 1998 the name was changed to the Equipment Dealers Foundation (EDF).
Through the years EDF has focused on its mission:
• To create educational programs for dealers and their employees.
• To establish scholarship programs at high schools and post-secondary educational institutions.
• For public awareness campaigns to promote the industry to the general public.
• To conduct research on related topics within the industry.
• To provide financial assistance for dealership employees impacted by natural disasters.
To address these mission items EDF is currently funding an awareness campaign to promote career opportunities with equipment dealerships, scholarship programs for students/teachers, and disaster relief for dealership employees.
Creating Awareness – Technicians for Tomorrow
Technicians for Tomorrow promotes careers as agricultural service technicians, a field in growing demand across North America. With advances in agricultural technology, equipment service roles now require a blend of hands-on mechanical skill and high-tech troubleshooting, making this career both intellectually engaging and essential for modern farming communities.
Technicians for Tomorrow aims to bridge the technician skills gap in the agricultural industry, ensuring a skilled workforce that supports the technological advancements transforming today’s farms.
The program provides tailored resources for students, educators, and dealers to help promote technician careers from an early age. Students interested in hands-on, tech-focused careers can access information on the skills needed to become a technician, from basic mechanical knowledge to sophisticated electronic diagnostics. Potential earnings in the field are attractive as well, with opportunities to advance from entry-level technician roles to positions in management or specialized technical support, where some can even reach six-figure salaries.
For educators, Technicians for Tomorrow offers classroom materials and career pathway information to inspire students about non-college paths in agriculture technology. Resources for teachers include sample assessments, career outlines, and quizzes to help students explore whether a career as a service technician might be a good fit. Dealers, meanwhile, can access customized marketing materials to engage their communities and attract talent locally.
Technicians for Tomorrow aims to bridge the technician skills gap in the agricultural industry, ensuring a skilled workforce that supports the technological advancements transforming today’s farms. This initiative showcases the rewarding potential of a career as an agricultural equipment technician while creating accessible pathways for students to enter the field.
Since its launch, the Technicians for Tomorrow (T4T) awareness campaign has achieved impressive milestones:
• Reached over 3.5 million people nationwide and in Canada through social media, website traffic, and digital advertising.
• Over 50,000 viewers have watched T4T awareness videos.
• Gained a following of 3,100 people on Facebook.
• More than 1,100 individuals have downloaded resource kits tailored for students, parents, and teachers.
• TechniciansforTomorrow.org sees an average of 1,000 unique visitors each month.
These results highlight T4T’s success in raising awareness and engaging audiences across North America.
EDF Scholarship Program for Students
The EDF offers scholarships to support students pursuing careers in agriculture and equipment technology. Each year, EDF provides financial aid to students enrolled in technical schools, community colleges, or universities, with a focus on those studying in fields related to the equipment industry, such as agricultural technology, mechanics, and engineering.
EDF scholarships are designed to encourage and support the next generation of skilled professionals who will be essential in maintaining and advancing the agricultural equipment sector.
These scholarships are designed to encourage and support the next generation of skilled professionals who will be essential in maintaining and advancing the agricultural equipment sector. EDF’s scholarships not only provide direct financial assistance but also help to promote long-term career development and stability in the industry. Member dealerships match EDF’s $1,000 scholarships, effectively doubling the support, so students can receive up to $2,000 toward their education.
The scholarship application process emphasizes both academic achievements and merit-based criteria, ensuring that recipients are committed and capable students. EDF has awarded scholarships to 418 students since the program began in 2012. Scholarship applications are distributed in January and accepted through April each year.
CASE (Curriculum for Agricultural and Science Education) Scholarships for Teachers
Since 2018 EDF has provided funding for partial scholarships for teachers to obtain certification in agricultural equipment courses. These courses qualify high school teachers to begin teaching these courses and subsequently reach more students and increase awareness of career opportunities in our industry.
According to CASE, agriculture teachers often have minimal training in how to teach mechanics-related content and skills. Funding provided by EDF/NAEDA is essential for teachers to gain cutting-edge professional development experiences with CASE to enhance their teaching practices to implement STEM-based agricultural mechanics courses. The long-term impact of this support benefits and sparks interest in thousands of high school agriculture students. The CASE initiative is managed by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).
Since 2018, the Equipment Dealers Foundation (EDF) has provided financial assistance to sponsor 209 secondary school teachers in earning certifications to teach agricultural mechanics. This initiative has had a profound ripple effect, positively impacting thousands
of students. By equipping teachers with the necessary credentials and resources, EDF ensures that students across North America gain access to quality education in ag mechanics—a field vital to the future of agricultural technology and equipment services.
This sponsorship aligns with EDF’s mission to address workforce challenges in the equipment industry by promoting technical education and career development. The program enhances the capacity of schools to offer ag mechanics courses, fostering a pipeline of skilled professionals who can pursue rewarding careers in the agricultural and equipment sectors. The impact of this initiative extends beyond the classroom, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the industry.
TEACHER IMPACT
“This CASE curriculum will give me the tools and resources needed to teach the large power equipment class I have coming up this year. It has also helped me find ideas and resources for other classes I teach, such as small engines and advanced welding.”
“I am thankful for this opportunity to learn more about this field and share my findings with the students in the years to come; I appreciate the support!”
“The APT CASE Institute provided me with a new curriculum and hands-on instruction that will complement my curriculum of Mechanical Principles in Ohio.”
“The diagnostic tools, instruments, and concepts that can be learned in APT CASE will assist in preparing my students for careers in the agriculture industry, especially with a mechanical/engineering focus.”
STUDENT IMPACT
Teachers self-reported the student impact on their programs. The total number of students impacted by the scholarship program this year alone is 580 students. Here are some quotes from teachers on how the scholarship will benefit their students.
“The AEMT curriculum will allow me to teach concepts in drive train, electrical, hydraulics, precision agriculture, diesel technology and maintenance of equipment.”
“This curriculum provides many hands-on inquiry-based activities that will help students learn concepts and use critical thinking skills to solve problems in each of these areas.”
“Utilizing this curriculum will make my class more interesting and fun to teach and will make me a better teacher.”
Disaster Relief
The Equipment Dealers Foundation (EDF) Disaster Relief Fund plays a vital role in helping dealership employees and their families recover from natural disasters. Launched and managed by NAEDA, the fund is a lifeline for those affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and other devastating events. In times of crisis, the Disaster Relief Fund offers financial assistance to those working in equipment dealerships, helping individuals and communities rebuild and regain stability after such hardships.
The fund is financed by donations from equipment dealers, industry partners, and individuals who understand the significant impact of natural disasters on dealership employees. Given the important role dealerships play in their communities, especially in rural areas, providing relief to employees is essential for local resilience. Dealerships are essential to their communities—not only as employers but also as providers of agricultural equipment services that help farms and businesses run smoothly. By supporting dealership employees during disasters, the EDF Disaster Relief Fund bolsters the broader community as well.
Dealerships are essential to their communities—not only as employers but also as providers of agricultural equipment services that help farms and businesses running smoothly. By supporting dealership employees during disasters, the EDF Disaster Relief Fund bolsters the broader community as well.
Applying for disaster relief assistance from the EDF is a straightforward process to ensure that funds reach those in need as quickly as possible. When disaster strikes, dealership employees can apply for direct financial aid that helps cover urgent expenses such as housing, repairs, food, and other essentials. This support helps recipients bridge the gap between their immediate needs and longer-term recovery efforts. Since its inception in 2005 EDF’s Disaster Relief efforts have provided over $380,000 in financial assistance to 250 dealership employees.
The Disaster Relief Fund has already made a difference for many affected employees across North America. For instance, during devastating hurricanes and storms in recent years, the fund provided timely support to those who lost homes or faced significant damage. Such assistance not only relieves immediate financial burdens but also gives employees the confidence that their industry is behind them, even in challenging times. This security fosters loyalty and morale within the workforce, which is essential for long-term industry stability.
Beyond direct aid, the EDF’s disaster relief efforts reflect the equipment industry’s commitment to its members and their communities. Equipment dealers are encouraged to donate to the fund, whether through direct contributions or by organizing fundraising initiatives. Many dealerships also partner with EDF during times of crisis, matching funds or contributing additional resources to amplify the impact of the relief efforts.
The EDF Disaster Relief Fund embodies a spirit of solidarity within the equipment industry, helping employees weather life’s storms and rebuild their lives. By supporting this initiative, donors contribute to a safety net that extends across the equipment dealer network, reinforcing the commitment to employees’ well-being. This fund aligns with EDF’s larger mission of supporting professional growth, stability, and resilience within the industry. Through its disaster relief efforts, EDF underscores the strength of the equipment industry community, demonstrating that, in times of need, its members stand together to support one another.
