WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Lisa Moss Chaudion, the latest person to receive the VIP Award from Indiana FFA, was the group’s first woman state president. She didn’t set out to achieve that goal, however, when she ran for state office in 1985.

Instead, she wanted to become a state officer, inspired, Chaudion said, by her brother Larry, who served as state sentinel.

“Back then, candidates were slated for positions, but the exact role wasn’t revealed until election day,” she explained. “Even if you were slated, there was no guarantee you’d be elected to that position, as nominations could come from the floor. On the day of the election, four other candidates were nominated from the floor to run for president. I had prepared five speeches, but none of them were for president or northern region vice president, as I had never considered running for president – a role traditionally held by males and I was from the southern region of Indiana.”

Chaudion said she was beyond excited and determined to do her best after she was elected.

“My agriculture teacher, Mr. Runyon, always told me I could achieve anything I set my mind to, and I aimed to prove him right. While it was an incredible honor to be the first female Indiana FFA president, I viewed it as a title. My fellow teammates worked just as hard as I did, and I often felt that the historical significance of my election overshadowed their contributions. Being a state officer was the best part of it all.”

Chaudion has served as executive director of the Indiana FFA Foundation for 14 years. She received the VIP Award at the state FFA convention in June in West Lafayette. During the award presentation, she was called a lifelong model of service to the agriculture industry, agricultural education and the Indiana FFA. She was described as a modern icon of the organization with an unprecedented story and level of achievement.

Chaudion said her election as state president showed that leadership roles within in Indiana FFA are attainable for everyone, regardless of gender.

“It likely inspired more females to run for state office, knowing they had equal opportunities and support,” she pointed out. “By breaking that barrier, it set a precedent and opened doors for future female leaders in the organization.”

She joined FFA at Clay City High School after the agriculture education teacher visited her home to discuss the opportunity with her and her parents. Chaudion said he was eager to involve more girls in his classes and FFA. “Recognizing my passion for agriculture, he wanted to support my career plans by encouraging me to join his classes and the FFA. I told him that if he could convince a few other girls to take his classes, I would sign up too. He succeeded, and I quickly fell in love with my agriculture classes and FFA experiences, which made me want to get even more involved. The rest is history.”

Chaudion said she participated in forestry, district and state career development events, served as district sentinel and state band president, and was a member of the state executive committee.

“One of my most rewarding experiences was organizing a hay lift with my local FFA chapter for members and families in North Carolina affected by extreme drought conditions,” she recalled. “We delivered hay twice, with the final delivery during spring break. Following the semi-truck, we met the chapter members and families we helped. It was a life-changing experience for both them and me.”

Participation in FFA is incredibly important for junior high and high school-age kids, Chaudion said. The organization offers a unique blend of classroom learning, leadership training, and supervised agricultural experience, all of which are equally vital, she said.

“Those components work together to provide a well-rounded education, giving students a head start in preparing for a career in agriculture. FFA also opens doors for them to connect with peers who share similar interests from across the country, fostering a network of like-minded individuals. Additionally, it cultivates their passion for leadership from the ground up, helping them grow into confident and capable leaders.”

As Indiana FFA Foundation executive director, Chaudion said she directs and oversees the management of the foundation. She focuses on fundraising development and support for the Indiana FFA Leadership Center, which is owned and operated by the foundation. Her primary responsibilities include supervising the financial management of the foundation and the center, she added.

“People are extremely receptive to learning about and supporting FFA because it changes the lives of young people, providing them with a clear path to success,” Chaudion noted. “It’s not hard to sell that!”

She previously worked for the Indiana Department of Education, where she spent time as the state agricultural education specialist. She was Indiana Young Farmers Association executive director.

Chaudion and her husband, David, own a small farm in Monroe County where they cash rent. They have two sons, Justin and Landen. She said, “their love and dedication have been indispensible, and I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support.”