RACINE, Wis. — ​Case IH is pleased to continue its long-standing support of the National FFA Foundation by donating the proceeds from the sale of a one-of-a-kind skid steer nicknamed “Red Power.” The online auction kicked off today at the Farm Progress Show and runs through Sept. 30, 2012.

The auction proceeds will be split accordingly: 89 percent to the National FFA Foundation, 10 percent to the winning bidder’s state FFA association and 1 percent to the winning bidder’s FFA chapter of choice.

“Case IH is thrilled to kick off the ‘Red Power’ auction today,” says Kyle Russell, Case IH Senior Director of Marketing. “Just as Case IH helps producers Be Ready to embrace the challenges of the agriculture industry, FFA helps students Be Ready for a future career in the agriculture industry.”

For more than 60 years, Case IH and its local dealers have supported the FFA, including their current sponsorship of the New Century Farmer and American FFA Degree programs.

“We are pleased that Case IH chose FFA to receive the proceeds from the sale of ‘Red Power’ and appreciate its ongoing support of helping our organization prepare the next generation of professional agriculturalists,” says Rob Cooper, National FFA Foundation Executive Director.

Purple Wave, a full-service equipment auction firm, is hosting the auction on their site. “Case IH, agriculture education and equipment auctions are recognized threads in America’s fabric,” says Jerrod Westfahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Purple Wave. “We are honored to be part of this project to benefit the unparalleled programs national, state and local FFA organizations deliver. By assisting with the ‘Red Power’ auction and establishing initiatives like our Bid for Blue program to benefit local FFA chapters, we are making a direct investment in FFA’s important mission of preparing the next crop of agriculture leaders.”

Throughout the past year, “Red Power” has been on display at various events showing off its unique features, including added dual chrome exhaust stacks, custom eight-spoke-pattern wheels with chrome center caps and lugs, tinted cab windows and a custom red leather seat. Red LED lighting illuminates the skid steer’s undercarriage, the rear add-on counterweights, the operator compartment and the loader arm. The cab also features indirect LED lighting and LED spots in the air conditioning vents.