Idaho FFA Day on the Hill

On January 26^th the Idaho statehouse was flooded with a sea of blue FFA jackets as part of the Cenarrusa FFA Day on the Hill, co-sponsored by the Northwest Agricultural Cooperative Council (NWACC).

It included a legislative luncheon at the Riverside Hotel, and opportunities for FFA members to meet with lawmakers, tour the Capitol, and strengthen civic leadership skills.

Verbatim:

On January 26^th the Idaho statehouse was flooded with a sea of blue FFA jackets as part of the Cenarrusa FFA Day on the Hill, co-sponsored by the Northwest Agricultural Cooperative Council (NWACC).

“So today, as of right now, we are doing the Cenarussa Day on the Hill Luncheon,” said Idaho State FFA President Matthew Waite. “So this is an opportunity for FFA members to come and talk to their representatives and senators in a luncheon setting. So they get to go have lunch with their senators, talk about all things like their upbringing, how they got into politics. And a lot of these representatives that they're talking with are from their own districts, so they can talk about things happening in their own districts and in the areas around them. The face-to-face interaction is the best way to make a connection and really talk about things and kind of get on a personal level,” said Waite.

The event is named for former Idaho Legislator and Secretary of State Pete Cenerussa, whose 51 years in Idaho government made him the longest serving public servant in state history. Representative Jerald Raymond was in the FFA when he was younger and says he looks forward to this every year.

“This is a great event where we have the chance to meet our young people from the local high schools,” said District 31 Representative Jerald Ramond. “Every school district that participates, we come and meet them and we talk about ag issues. These kids are the leaders of agriculture for our future, and so it's a great opportunity for us to meet with them,” said Raymond.

Idaho FFA has more than 6,000 members across the 100 chapters in Idaho, with more than 20,000 students enrolled in career technical education courses.

“They get a chance to come see the State House, and they get to see how policy's made here while they're here,” said Raymond. “It's about human relationships. It's about working with people who may have different ideas than you do or who may have the same ideas as you do. That's what it's all about.”

“And being able to just go explore the get a tour and talk to our legislators,” said Waite. “It's such a cool experience. I believe the legislators love it too, because then they get to go talk about all things important to them, to the youth, and spread their message to the youth.”

“FFA to me is kind of like a second home,” said Weiser FFA Member Tori Brown. “I think that FFA is a great organization, but it's more than just an organization. I know that when I first joined FFA, I was kind of one of the shy kids that didn't want to be out and around with other kids, but it taught me how to get out of my comfort zone, meet other people. But really, I've learned that you can have a family wherever you go, and in the blue jacket, that's just, you feel so loved. I don't know how to explain (it to) anybody unless they've experienced themselves, but seeing a sea of blue jackets, it's incredible,” said Brown.

“We're here for an organization that is to help develop and grow strong, independent leaders to go out and serve not only just our country in agriculture, but so much further. FFA has evolved so much to where it is not just agriculturally based, but we can extend it to go out and work with socializing, work with being one-on-one with individuals. And it truly is incredible coming to events like this where you see so many people coming together for the same purpose and same reason,” said Brown.

For the lawmakers and agricultural industry leaders in attendance, seeing the enthusiasm of these students gives them confidence in Idaho’s future.

“They are sharp. They know their issues. They're hard workers,” said Raymond. “I'm very confident our state's in good hands.”