Idaho FFA Returns From National Convention With Two Championships and First Officer in 15 Years
“We’re incredibly proud of the students, advisors and supporters who represented Idaho on the national stage,” Carly Weaver, executive director of the Idaho FFA Foundation, said in the release.
Idaho FFA members and supporters secured national recognition at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, running from October 21 to October 24. The delegation brought home two national championships, elected a national officer, and collected a series of high individual honors and awards recognizing agricultural education advocates, according to an Idaho FFA Foundation news release.
Joshua Nelson of Troy achieved a milestone for the state by being elected national FFA Western Region vice president. Nelson is Idaho’s first national FFA officer in 15 years, stepping into a legacy of national leadership for the state’s agricultural programs.
Students from Idaho competed across 27 different Career and Leadership Development Events, amassing 14 top-ten placings. Among those finishes were two national championship titles. The American Falls FFA chapter captured the floriculture CDE crown, while the Rigby chapter took home the veterinary science CDE championship.
Through the National Agricultural Proficiency Awards program, Rigby’s Vincent Kisner captured the national title in agricultural mechanics design and fabrication. Rigby FFA’s Emily Jossi secured a first-place finish in veterinary science, and Emmett FFA’s Paxton Hovley earned high individual overall honors in livestock evaluation.
Idaho Students and Agricultural Leaders Receive National FFA Honors
The convention also spotlighted adult leaders and agricultural organizations supporting the next generation of farmers and scientists. Seventy-eight Idaho students received the American FFA Degree, representing the highest distinction awarded by the National FFA Organization.
Six agricultural leaders across the state received the Honorary American FFA Degree:
Rigby FFA students dominate national competition, bring home top honors https://t.co/JyIgiKDIQ7
- Ron Corbett, Council
- Jack Blattner, Kuna
- Chuck Radloff, Nampa
- Alan Schoen, Mountain Home
- JR Morrow, Troy
- Val Johnson, Rexburg
Valley Wide Cooperative of Nampa received a Distinguished Service Citation. The organization was one of only four nationwide chosen for the honor, which recognizes exceptional contributions to FFA and agricultural education.
According to the release, comments were provided by Janine Hodges, who serves as the state FFA advisor and is the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Program quality manager for the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education.
The Idaho FFA Foundation noted that $38,700 in travel grants helped support participating chapters at the national event.
