Idaho FFA’s new state officer team will spend the next year meeting with FFA members around the state, presenting workshops aimed at developing new skills and offering them encouragement.

The six new officers were elected at the spring state FFA convention.

Will Brackett of Castleford FFA was elected president. He is a student at the College of Southern Idaho studying agriculture and plans to return to his family’s ranch after graduation. He credits FFA for imparting leadership skills, interpersonal skills, work ethic and community engagement skills.

“FFA is a chance to further develop the skills I have and step out of my comfort zone to do things I never thought possible,” he said.

Building skills

Joshua Nelson of Troy FFA was elected vice president. He intends to pursue an education in agricultural law. He plans to attend Montana State University to study agricultural and technical education.

Through his involvement in FFA, he has honed the skills of communication, dependability and time management. He attributes much of his work ethic to FFA and has learned “the harder you work, the more opportunities you have,” he said.

Through FFA he also learned he isn’t scared of failure but excited to succeed.

“FFA is home,” he said.

Second home

Aislyn King of New Plymouth FFA was elected secretary. She is a student at the University of Idaho with sights on giving a voice to the voiceless through a career as an attorney.

FFA taught her speaking skills, agricultural knowledge, effective teamwork and time management, she said.

“FFA is my second home. … FFA means lifelong connections and opportunities I will cherish forever,” she said.

Abigail Foruria of Emmett FFA was elected treasurer. She plans to attend the College of Southern Idaho this fall to explore agricultural education and aquaculture.

She credits FFA with equipping her with communication skills that brought her out of her shell and made her a better speaker in her everyday life.

“FFA means purpose and a place of belonging,” she said.

Communication, interview and relationship skills top her list of lessons learned through FFA.

Influencing others

“FFA sparked my interest in becoming an agricultural educator. I love influencing students and showing them (the) ag industry,” she said.

Eliza Dugan of Jerome FFA was elected reporter. She plans to begin studies in agribusiness with an interest in production agriculture at the College of Southern Idaho this fall.

FFA helped her discover it takes all types of people working in the agricultural industry as well as youth development in FFA to meet the needs of a growing population.

FFA provided the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life and learn about the diverse careers available in agriculture, she said.

“FFA is a home where I found my purpose and passion preparing me for real world challenges. FFA has made me who I am today,” she said.

New horizons

Joseph Bendel of Troy FFA was elected sentinel. He plans to attend college after a year of full-time service to Idaho FFA.

FFA gave him the ability to come out of his comfort zone and speak with strangers confidently, he said.

“I am interested in agribusiness as well as production agriculture because of my employment on a farm as well as the opportunity to meet agribusiness professionals through FFA,” he said.