STATE OFFICERS
WHO ARE STATE FFA OFFICERS?
IDAHO FFA STATE OFFICERS SERVE FOR A YEAR AS AMBASSADORS FOR MEMBERS AND CHAPTERS BY LEADING, TEACHING, AND REPRESENTING IDAHO FFA AT LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS.
Idaho’s state officers serve under the supervision of the State FFA Advisor, Executive Director, CTSO Student Leadership Manager, and the State FFA Board of Directors, ensuring alignment with the association’s mission and policies.
Throughout the year, officers receive targeted training and deliver hands‑on leadership experiences. Signature commitments include Base Camp training following election, support of State CDEs in June, the State Officer Summit in Washington, D.C., District Officer Training (DOT), Summer Outdoor Leadership Retreat (SOLR), fall chapter visits, and delegate responsibilities at the National FFA Convention. Officers also travel to chapters across the state for local events, activities, and banquets. Request a state officer visit by clicking the button below!
Officers also maintain a professional social media presence, participate in a weekly State Officer Class, and engage with commodity groups and stakeholders throughout the year.
State officers are selected at the Idaho FFA State Leadership Conference through a rigorous nominating committee process that involves multiple interview formats and evaluations; the Nominating Committee includes student representatives and adult members approved by the Board of Directors.
The role is a significant, year‑long commitment that prioritizes service, professionalism, communication, and teamwork. Officers are expected to treat the officer year as a primary responsibility while maintaining academic standing if enrolled in school.
2026-27 State Officer Team
MEET THE
Officers
LIBERTY SIMPER
PRESIDENT
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Chapter: Kuna FFA
Background: Liberty Simper is proudly representing the Kuna FFA Chapter as your 2026-2027 Idaho FFA State President. Through her FFA journey, she has served in both chapter and district offices. She’s competed in 10 different CDEs and LDEs with her favorites being Farm and Agribusiness Management and Parliamentary Procedure.
Growing up, Liberty was raised adjacent to production agriculture with her grandparents owning a cow-calf and row-crop farming operation. FFA ignited her experience into a passion and gave her a statewide support system.
Liberty’s Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAEs) include raising a market lamb for the Canyon County Fair and corn topping for the Reynolds’ Family Farm. Through these projects, Liberty has developed a stronger knowledge of agricultural processes.
For Liberty, FFA has become another home. She believes that there is a place for everyone in FFA. Liberty looks forward to the next year of getting to serve and connect with all the members, chapters, and districts of Idaho FFA!
SAMANTHA SMITH
VICE PRESIDENT
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Chapter: Moscow FFA
Background: From Idaho’s hometown of the University of Idaho, Samantha Smith proudly represents the Moscow FFA Chapter as the 2026–2027 Idaho FFA State Vice President. A proud product of agricultural love and learning, Samantha has dedicated herself to leadership and service through both FFA and 4-H. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) S&Q Club Lambs has taught her the value of grit, responsibility, and meaningful work.
Samantha’s SAE is an entrepreneurship project called S&Q Club Lambs where she breeds club lambs for local FFA and 4-H members and shows lambs at various levels across several states. In addition to her agricultural business, Samantha also participates in a placement SAE, working on her family's ranch White Pine Flats Ranch.There, she takes on a variety of responsibilities including where she teaches horse riding lessons, farms hay crop, and helps operate a beef cattle operation, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the agricultural industry.
Samantha has proudly represented her state at the National level two times in Agriscience Fair and Livestock Evaluation, sharpening her technical and leadership skills. FFA has played a major role in shaping her confidence, work ethic, and ability to connect with others, especially through competitions and conventions.
Her passion for advocacy for the agriculture industry began while assisting the legislature as a Senate Page, where she discovered the joy of advocating and policy. Attending the University of Idaho, Samantha is pursuing a career as a Lawyer specializing in agricultural policy. When asked her ‘why’ for advocating, she responds, "Agriculture is the industry that touches every life every day, it’s vital that we support agriculturalists.”
JAMES LITTLE
SECRETARY
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Chapter: Sugar-Salem FFA
Background: James Little’s journey in agriculture is rooted in hands-on experience and a passion for leadership. As a Member of the Sugar-Salem FFA Chapter, James has been actively involved in a variety of Supervised Agricultural Experiences, working with livestock and gaining real-world agricultural skills that have shaped his understanding of the industry.
In addition to his SAE, James has competed in multiple Career and Leadership Development Events, including events from Creed Speaking to Marketing Plan, where he has developed strong communication skills and a passion for sharing agriculture’s story. Through these experiences, he has learned the importance of dedication, adaptability, and representing something bigger than himself.
FFA has played a defining role in James’s life, helping him grow as a leader and pushing him to step outside of his comfort zone. From competing at high levels to connecting with members across the state, he has found purpose in serving others and strengthening the organization.
Now serving as the Idaho FFA State Secretary, James is committed to advocating for members, sharing their stories, and promoting the impact of agriculture across Idaho. He believes FFA is more than an organization, it’s a place where students discover their potential, build lasting connections, and prepare to lead.
JACEE FULLER
TREASURER
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Chapter: Filer FFA
Background: Jacee is excited to serve as the Idaho FFA State Treasurer for 2026-2027! She is from the Filer FFA chapter, where she has served as a chapter and district officer, taken welding classes, and competed in events like Prepared Public Speaking and Agronomy.
Raised on a farm, in the cattle show barn, and building fence, Jacee has experienced agriculture firsthand. After joining FFA, she was impacted by leaders within the organization and found her passion in agricultural education.
Her Supervised Agricultural Experience included a cow-calf operation, showing cattle, forage production, and welding projects. Through these SAEs, she has been able to encourage others and build her skills in agricultural advocacy.
Jacee hopes to encourage members and help them find their passion within FFA during her year of service. She is excited to serve and interact with members!
SIENNA STAIRS
REPORTER
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Chapter: Homedale FFA
Background: Sienna is proud to represent the Homedale FFA Chapter as she serves as the 2026-2027 State Reporter. Through her FFA journey, she has served as chapter officer, district officer, and competed in multiple events including Milk Quality and Soils.
Growing up, Sienna was not involved in agriculture and never thought she would be a part of this organization. However, FFA has taught her more than just agriculture. FFA has created a space for Sienna to meet new friends, gain leadership experience, and find her passion.
Sienna’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is directly focused on Ag Education. She has the opportunity to teach students, members, and adults about the importance of agriculture and the diverse world of FFA. Through this project, she has learned leadership and public speaking skills, as well as how to connect with a wide variety of people.
For Sienna, FFA is more than an organization, but a place for connection and growth. Sienna is beyond excited to serve and represent Idaho FFA and hopes to create passion inside all those she comes in contact with!
ETHAN COWELL
SENTINEL
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Chapter: Bonners Ferry FFA
Background: From northern Idaho, Ethan Cowell proudly represents the Bonners Ferry FFA Chapter as the 2026–2027 Idaho FFA State Sentinel.
Ethan’s love for agriculture came from an unexpected placement into agriculture classrooms, where advisor Julie Smith fostered his passion into what it is today. Through his journey in FFA he has held chapter officer positions including Bonners Ferry President.
Ethan competes in Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, Milk Quality, Agricultural Sales, Extemporaneous Speaking and others. He shows swine at the Boundary County Fair. Ethan’s entrepreneurship SAE involves raising a large flock of poultry including specialized birds like ducks, geese, guinea hens and emus. In this experience, he gains knowledge in poultry, responsibility, hard work ethic, and career success. He sells the eggs to his strong customer base and a local farm-stand.
FFA holds a place in Ethan’s heart for giving him a home where he can build relationships and grow as a person. He looks forward to serving Idaho and creating connections with chapters and members across the Gem State.
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR STATE OFFICE?
MEET ELIGIBILITY, SUBMIT THE STATE OFFICER APPLICATION BY THE DEADLINE, AND COMPLETE THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE INTERVIEW PROCESS AT STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.
Who can apply?
Candidates must (1) be dues‑paying FFA members for the full term of service and (2) have earned the State FFA Degree or be receiving it during the State Leadership Conference when they run. They must also (3) attend and participate in the entire State Leadership Conference while running and (4) submit the State Officer Application by the stated deadline.
Application steps:
Confirm your State FFA Degree status if you haven’t already earned it.
Complete the State Officer Application.
Obtain all required signatures and recommendations listed in the application.
Submit the application as instructed and follow all submission directions.
Report to the selection process as outlined in the confirmation letter from Idaho FFA State Staff and the nominating committee coordinator.
What happens next?
The state officer selection is a rigorous, multi‑round interview process designed to evaluate candidates on leadership, communication, knowledge of agriculture/FFA/education, and other competencies. Expect a mix of rounds (e.g., test, writing, one‑on‑one interviews, facilitation, stand‑and‑deliver, stakeholder conversations, group interactions, media/social media tasks, and possible parliamentary procedure).
A Nominating Committee—ten student members (one from each district that supplies a member) plus three adult members approved by the Idaho FFA Board of Directors—conducts the interviews and selects the team, using at least five interview formats and a defined competency framework.
Scheduling note:
Because interviews run throughout State Leadership Conference, candidates are strongly discouraged from entering more than one CDE/LDE due to unavoidable conflicts. Missing an interview round results in a zero for that round, and CDE/LDE rules don’t allow re‑entry to an unfinished event. Communicate any potential conflicts early with the nominating committee chair and event superintendents.
For exact dates, forms, and submission instructions, refer to the current State Officer Application and the Officer Candidate Handbook.
HOW DO YOU APPLY TO SERVE ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE?
DISTRICTS NOMINATE ONE FFA MEMBER EACH; THREE ADULTS ARE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD. COMMITTEE MEMBERS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL ROUNDS DURING STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND AVOID CONFLICTING ACTIVITIES.
What is the Nominating Committee?
The Nominating Committee interviews and evaluates state officer candidates, using multiple rounds and a defined competency framework, and recommends the officer team. The committee includes eleven student members (one nominated from each district that supplies a member) plus three adult members approved by the Idaho FFA Board of Directors.
Who can apply (and how)?
Student members: Express your interest to your district’s leadership/advisors to be considered as the district’s nominee. Each district may nominate one FFA member to serve. Must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and have attended State Leadership Conference before.
Adult members: Three adults are appointed (approved) by the Idaho FFA Board of Directors.
Time & participation requirements:
You must be present for all interview rounds during State Leadership Conference; the committee uses at least five interview formats and interacts with all candidates.
Committee members may not participate in CDEs, talent, or other activities that would conflict with committee duties at SLC. Any potential conflicts must be pre‑approved by the State FFA Coordinator. Conflict disclosures are due by March 5 to the Nominating Committee Coordinator.
Application steps:
Notify your district that you’d like to be considered as the district’s nominee.
Confirm full availability for SLC interview days and activities.
Submit any schedule conflicts (if applicable) by early March for review/approval.
For district nomination timelines and contact details, check with your District Advisor/Director or Idaho FFA State Staff.
PAST STATE OFFICERS
Check out the list of past state officers that served the Idaho FFA Association.
