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Wave of blue jackets swarms Idaho Capitol

By Sean Ellis

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

BOISE – Hundreds of FFA students from across the state mingled with legislators, statewide elected officials and farm industry leaders Jan. 27 during the annual Cenarrusa “Day on the Hill” luncheon.

The luncheon kicks off a two-day event that brings hundreds of Idaho FFA members to Boise.

A wave of FFA students wearing their iconic blue jackets descends on the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and experience first-hand how Idaho government works.

They also have opportunities to mingle with and hear from ag industry leaders.

FFA is a career and technical education student organization that aims to make a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for leadership and career success through agricultural education.

“This is such an impressive group of young people,” Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt said during the luncheon, which was attended by more than 400 people. “They are going to do amazing things in agriculture.”

FFA is an unmatched youth organization, added Tewalt, who grew up on a livestock operation and is a former FFA student herself.

“When I meet FFA students or when they come to work for us, they are always the most prepared and articulate people,” she told Idaho Farm Bureau Federation before the event started. “This is such an incredible, pivotal organization that prepares people well.”

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, a rancher from Oakley, attended the Cenarrusa luncheon and told IFBF later that he remembers visiting the Capitol during this event as an FFA member.

Bedke, the former Idaho Speaker of the House, called that FFA experience “absolutely valuable.”

He said he has learned from the business community that if a job applicant has a solid FFA background, “they go straight to the top of the resume pile. I don’t know that you can replace that” type of experience.

Canyon County farmer Sid Freeman, a longtime Idaho FFA supporter who started the organization’s tractor raffle program, said that in just the past year, he has worked with several former FFA students who are now serving in important leadership positions in the ag industry.

“These students are showing up in very, very prominent leadership positions for our industry,” he said.

One of the main focuses of the annual FFA event is to provide students with an opportunity to experience first-hand how public policy is developed during the legislative process.

It also allows FFA members to establish a relationship with their elected representatives and talk about agricultural and other issues.

“You just can’t put a value on that,” Freeman said.

The luncheon is named for former Idaho Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa, who died in 2013 and whose 51 years in the legislative and executive branches of Idaho government make him the longest-serving public servant in state history.

Cenarrusa started the first ag classes at Cambridge and Carey high schools and was known as a champion of Idaho agriculture.  

The Northwest Agricultural Cooperative Council, the main sponsor of the luncheon, presented friend of the industry awards to Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, and Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale.

Honorary FFA degrees for their long-time support of Idaho FFA and agricultural education were presented to Sen. David Lent, R-Idaho Falls, and Rep. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston.