Idaho FFA members earn national titles and elect national officer

Idaho FFA participants and backers achieved national acclaim at the Oct. 21-24 99th National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis, Ind.

Delegates from Idaho secured a pair of national titles, a national officer placement, premier individual accolades, and esteemed awards honoring pupils and champions of agricultural instruction.

National Victories and Leadership Elections

Joshua Nelson of Troy was elected national FFA Western Region vice president. He is the initial Idaho representative to secure a national FFA officer role in a decade and a half, adding to a legacy of Idaho figures who have held leadership posts for the association on a national scale.

Contenders from Idaho participated across 27 distinct Career and Leadership Development Events, gathering a combined 14 placements within the top ten.

Among those, two chapters claimed national titles. The American Falls FFA chapter triumphed in the floriculture CDE, while the Rigby chapter captured the veterinary science CDE championship title.

Individual competitors matched that success. Vincent Kisner of Rigby earned the national championship in agricultural mechanics design and fabrication through the National Agricultural Proficiency Awards program. Rigby’s Emily Jossi secured a first-place finish in veterinary science, and Paxton Hovley of Emmett claimed high individual overall in livestock evaluation.

Honors for Educators and Industry Supporters

Seventy-eight Idaho learners also attained the American FFA Degree during the gathering, marking the ultimate distinction conferred by the National FFA Organization.

Six Idaho agricultural leaders received the Honorary American FFA Degree, one of the organization’s highest honors. The 2026 recipients include Ron Corbett, Council; Jack Blattner, Kuna; Chuck Radloff, Nampa; Alan Schoen, Mountain Home; JR Morrow, Troy; and Val Johnson, Rexburg.

Additionally, the National FFA Organization recognized Valley Wide Cooperative of Nampa, Idaho, with a Distinguished Service Citation, making it one of only four organizations selected nationwide.

“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. “From national champions to national leadership, these accomplishments showcase the strength of agricultural education in Idaho. We’re also grateful to the sponsors and donors who made it possible to award $38,700 in travel grants to participating chapters this year.”

Janine Hodges, who serves as state FFA advisor alongside her role as Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Program quality manager for the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, observed that the outcomes demonstrate what can be achieved when superior agricultural training, committed instructors, and driven learners unite.