WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Ethan Wolheter, the new Indiana FFA state president, joined the organization because he knew how beneficial it was for his father and grandfather, who were both members. He said being a part of FFA has helped him grow in his agricultural knowledge and leadership skills.

During the state FFA convention in June in West Lafayette, Wolheter ran for state office for the first time, and was elected president for 2024-2025.

“I decided to run for state office because I wanted to serve Indiana FFA and all its members so that other people like myself can develop into the leaders that the future needs,” Wolheter explained. “I was overwhelmed with positive emotions when I found out I was going to be president as it was something I had worked at and was so honored and humbled to achieve that position.”

Wolheter, who graduated from Prairie Heights High School in LaGrange County last spring, said he is looking forward to being able to meet with members across the state and develop personal connections and relationships with them throughout the year.

Shortly after the convention, Wolheter was one of 15 top achievers in his Prairie Heights FFA chapter to go on an achievement trip to Canada. The trip was planned before the convention and would have happened regardless of the results of the state officer elections, he noted. The annual experience involved camping, swimming and fishing.

He helps with his family’s garden by taking on such responsibilities as tilling the soil, planting rows and hills of plants, pulling weeds, harvesting, and processing and preserving harvested vegetables.

“I have always been involved in agriculture somehow, mainly through our family garden where we grow lots of vegetables and process them to consume later or sell at a farmers market,” Wolheter said. “Some of my favorite projects in FFA include extemporaneous public speaking and the chapter meeting contest.”

After his year as president ends, he plans are to attend Purdue University, where he will major in agricultural education. His goal is to be an ag educator.

Wolheter mentioned what he sees as the benefits of participating in FFA.

“To someone who is not 100 percent sure about joining FFA, I would tell them that no matter what they choose to pursue after high school, whether that is the workforce or college, FFA will help develop both professional and leadership skills that will set you steps ahead of everybody else.

“I would encourage anyone that might be interested in FFA to join because of the importance of having an understanding of the agricultural industry and agriculture as a whole, and that there are so many fun opportunities throughout this great organization.”

The state officer team consists of seven high school graduates who have elected to defer their education for one year to serve Indiana FFA as youth ambassadors, according to the organization’s website. During their year of service, which begins and ends at the annual state convention, the officers will present seven three-day leadership conferences around the state. They will speak to an estimated 14,000 FFA members, supporters and individuals involved in leadership and agriculture, the site said.

Also elected as state officers at the June convention were Christina Caldwell, secretary; Stephanie Berenda, northern region vice president; Cale Williams, southern region vice president; Ky Baker, treasurer; Sienna Alexander, reporter; and Garrett Bolin, sentinel.