Meet the 2026-2027 Ohio FFA State Officer Team!

As a new school year gets underway, Ohio FFA members are returning to agricultural education classrooms across the state. For 11 individuals, this year brings an opportunity to serve beyond their home chapters as members of the 2026-2027 Ohio FFA State Officer Team.

Each officer will travel thousands of miles to visit local chapters, facilitate leadership programs, connect with industry leaders, and share the story of Ohio FFA as its highest-ranked student leadership. Through their service, state officers also support agricultural education teachers and build meaningful connections with organizations and individuals across the industry.

Let’s meet this year’s team!

Why did you join FFA?

Joining FFA was second nature for me. With two agriscience educators as parents, I got firsthand experience with agriculture and FFA long before zipping up my own corduroy jacket. Before becoming an FFA member, I had the opportunity to witness former state officers and members of my own chapter lead with integrity and purpose. Watching them compete at CDEs, speak on stage at State Convention, or simply give me a wave at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum, I was inspired to one day fill their shoes and be a role model to others as they were for me. Growing up, I went everywhere with my parents, so I was no stranger to the opportunities FFA provided for those who were involved. I went to every camp, competition, convention, and banquet. From those experiences, I saw what students gained and how it shaped them into leaders, so naturally, I wanted to do the same things. – Grace Kackley, Meadowbrook FFA

When I first had the opportunity to join the FFA, what truly struck me was the possibility for endless connections. Having just moved to a new school while also wanting to make new friends and find myself, the FFA was a perfect place for me to find connection. After seven years of membership, I can confidently say I have found a home in our organization and am surrounded by all the people I need to fill it. – Jackson DeWitt, Global Impact FFA

My teacher, Mr. Knapke, recruited me to join the middle school dairy judging team in 8th grade. It was the inspiration and influence that Mr. Knapke had on so many students’ lives that drew me into the program. Mr. Knapke is a person who gives every person a fair chance and equal opportunity. He does not judge his students because of their background, grades, or agricultural knowledge. He looks at every one of his students and sees something special about them that they can bring to the table. He goes out of his way to make sure every student knows they are valued and appreciated, no matter how well they compete or act. These qualities, which Mr. Knapke possesses, are some of the many reasons I started my journey in the FFA. – Hunter Wellman, New Knoxville FFA

What skills have you gained from FFA and how have you used them?

FFA has taught me countless skills that continue to shape who I am. From public speaking to leadership to team‑building, the organization has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. FFA didn’t just teach me how to be a leader, it showed me the endless opportunities agriculture has to offer. I learned everything from animal management to the process it takes for our food to reach the table. FFA is still teaching me, and I know it always will. I am most grateful for the passion for agriculture that was instilled in me. As a first-generation agriculturist, I could have never imagined the amount it has poured out into me. – Claire Loudon, Lancaster FFA

FFA taught me a lot of tangible skills that are increasingly helpful as I continue toward a future career. I intend to pursue a career in horticultural sales, so the conversational, public speaking, and research skills I’ve learned are key in preparing me for interacting with future customers and understanding the products I’ll work with. More than that, FFA taught me a variety of life lessons. The biggest lesson of all was one directly from my Ag teacher, “Service is the rent we pay for living.” As I move forward through this year of service and into the rest of my life, I am blessed to have the opportunity to keep giving back like those who poured so much into me. – Paige Gehret, Versailles FFA

What is your Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)?

My SAE is Grace’s Sugar Shack, a maple syrup production operation. The property I live on is covered in maple trees, so the idea of producing maple syrup came about, and just like that, Grace’s Sugar Shack was born. Every year from January to March, I clear the sap lines and tap roughly 300 maple trees. Once the weather is right and sap starts to flow, I boil the sap until it reaches the perfect syrup consistency and then store it in sealed jars to sell to customers. Setting up at festivals, giving tours of the operation, and working behind the scenes to run a business has allowed me to connect with countless individuals from different backgrounds while developing my communication, record-keeping, and customer service skills. – Grace Allen, Hillsboro Great Oaks FFA

My SAE is raising Boer goats and raising and showing steers. I have my own herd of Boer goats that I raise throughout the year and then sell and show the offspring at county fairs. I take care of everything from breeding and feeding to keeping track of the goats and preparing them for shows. I have also raised and shown steers, which has given me even more experience working with livestock. Through my SAE, I have learned a lot about responsibility, animal care, and the business side of agriculture. Most importantly, it has given me something that I genuinely enjoy and want to continue doing. – Abigail Earley, Wilmington FFA

My SAE consisted of raising chickens during the summer to take to my local county fair. I began this experience after my freshman year with the help of my ag teacher. I had never raised any type of poultry before. My operation began with only 20 birds, but each year I continued to grow my operation little by little. By my senior year, I had raised 50 birds. My proudest achievement while working on my SAE was winning Grand Champion Market Chickens my junior year. My SAE has shown me different aspects of the agricultural industry that I had never thought of before and helped me develop many skills that I will be able to implement in my future career. – Caleb Martin, Bellevue FFA

What are you most looking forward to during your year of service?

This year, I am most looking forward to building meaningful connections and getting to know each of the members on a personal level. I am excited to create an environment where they feel supported, encouraged, and confident to be themselves. One of the most rewarding parts of serving will be watching the members grow in ways they may not even recognize in themselves yet. I hope to help them discover new strengths, build lasting friendships, and gain confidence through their experiences. I am also looking forward to growing alongside them, learning from each person I meet, and making a positive impact throughout the year. – Wrehn Thompson, Upper Sandusky FFA

This year, I am most looking forward to the “personal growth” aspect of the FFA mission: Personal growth for myself and seeing that unfold in the members I connect with this year. I have made it a priority to incorporate daily reflection into my year of service so that I can be my best for the members. I hope many of them will be inspired to do the same, acquiring whatever tools they feel are necessary to grow and better themselves! – Austin Manning, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington FFA

Personally, I am looking forward to having the chance to inspire some of the younger members that I will have the chance to connect with during chapter visits, camps, and conferences throughout the year! Part of my motivation for running for state office was watching the younger members in my own chapter grow and develop from the time that they entered the agriculture classroom for the first time to their final banquets before graduation. Seeing them become the next leaders in our school, community, and industry made me want to help every FFA member grow in some way throughout this upcoming year. – Sydney Beiting, East Clinton Great Oaks FFA