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Idaho FFA officers brief Senate education committee on leadership, SAE projects and scholarships
Summary
State FFA officers described the organization's three-circle model (classroom, FFA activities, supervised agricultural experience), leadership and career-development events, scholarships and examples of student projects to the Senate Education Committee.
Ashwin King, the Idaho FFA state secretary, and five other state officers presented to the Senate Education Committee about how Idaho FFA supports agricultural education, leadership and workforce readiness.
"FFA is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders through skills and career readiness, leadership, and service," said Ashwin King, introducing the organization on behalf of the state officer team and the more than 6,000 Idaho FFA members. Will Brackett, the Idaho FFA state president, described the organization's "three-circle model" of classroom instruction, FFA activities and supervised agricultural experience (SAE) projects that combine technical instruction, competitive events and hands-on work-based learning.
State officers gave examples of FFA programming and student outcomes. Eliza Dugan, the Idaho FFA state reporter, said the organization offers 28 leadership and career-readiness competitions for members from middle school through high school, including specialty events such as potato judging unique to Idaho. Josh Nelson, the Idaho FFA state vice president, described scholarship support: the Idaho FFA Foundation and the National FFA Foundation award scholarships and SAE grants; Nelson cited awards ranging from about $1,000 to $5,000 and named Idaho Wheat Commission scholarships of $1,000 and Dairy West scholarships of $2,000 as examples.
Presenters discussed the variety of SAE projects students pursue, from showing livestock to greenhouse projects and apiculture. "An SAE really ensures that work based readiness is happening in the classroom," said Abby Feria, who described projects ranging from raising tilapia to growing pecan trees. The officers invited committee members to attend the organization's state convention in April at the College of Southern Idaho campus in Twin Falls and closed by thanking the committee for its support of agricultural education.
Committee members asked a few clarifying questions; Senator Kevin Cook asked about potato judging and Eliza Dugan explained that the contest focuses on producer and consumer quality and is unique to Idaho. The testimony was largely informational; the committee did not take any action on FFA programming during this meeting.
