University of Idaho freshman Anna Pratt will attempt to follow in her brother’s footsteps by being elected to the National FFA Organization national office next month. Pratt’s brother, Seth Pratt, was elected as an FFA national officer last year, making him the first national officer from the UI since 1989.
The last national officers to come from UI were also siblings — Jeff Isom, serving in 1988, and Casey Isom in 1989. Pratt will try to keep the sibling tradition going in her run for Western Region Vice President. The FFA National Convention starts Oct. 24. Pratt has been preparing for the convention for months and said it’s strange to have the event so close.
“I’ve been right in the middle of it for a year now,” Pratt said. “Now it’s close and right in my face. I never really have had a breather, but I wouldn’t have it any other way right now.”
The FFA is broken up into four regions, and each region will produce a vice president. A national president and secretary will be chosen from among all the regions, bringing the total to six national officers. Each state is allowed one candidate.
Assistant professor of agriculture Jeremy Falk said the two siblings are competitive, but each has their own passion for agriculture.
“Anna has had to follow him, because he’s older, her whole life, yet she has her own passion for agriculture and her own footprint she’s going to be leaving,” Falk said. “It’s amazing that they’re that competitive, but so different.”
Pratt said her brother has been a big influence on her, especially when it came to holding a state office. She had to come to grips with whether her running for national office was because of him. She said her brother helped give her the skills she needs to be a leader in the FFA, but her passion is her own.
“I think I ran for state office because Seth taught me and showed me that I could, that I had the skills and abilities to do it,” Pratt said. “He has played a vital role in my growth. I definitely value everything he’s given me.”
If Pratt is elected, she will travel across the country, and internationally, promoting the FFA and raising awareness of agricultural issues and careers. The FFA’s mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. Falk said it’s not only a big deal for Pratt, but also for the university and the state.
“We can harness that leadership as well as propel the state of Idaho forward,” Falk said. “If we can raise up leaders and then plant them back in our state, that will help Idaho’s economy and recruit more students.”
Pratt will travel to Indianapolis in October for the convention, where she will go through the interview process for national office. Candidates will be judged by a nominating committee made up of nine members. The candidates will be tested on everything from FFA history to current agricultural issues.
“The stuff they put us through is crazy,” Pratt said. “The nominating committee has a list of competencies that they think a national officer should have from teamwork to communication to passion for the FFA.”
Over the process of a few days the candidates will be whittled down to the six who will be the next year’s officers. Falk said it is not a sure thing for any candidate because it depends on what the nominating committee is looking for in individuals and as part of a team.
“Those six are going to be a team,” Falk said. “Anna could be the most outstanding and qualified candidate, but if she doesn’t fit a team, then she might not be elected. I can’t say if she’s ready, but is she electable? Yes.”
To prepare for the grueling process candidates have to go though, Pratt has been preparing with Falk every week.
“She comes in every Tuesday and spends about an hour to an hour and a half,” Falk said. “She does a weekly essay and I read it and critique it.”
Pratt said the preparation can be disheartening at times, especially with how hard her work is critiqued.
“Sometimes I really like preparation and sometimes it’s really hard,” Pratt said. “It’s a lot to take in and a lot to process.”
Many national officers are offered scholarships to numerous universities, but Pratt said she has every intention on coming back to UI when it’s over.
“I’m not only going to be promoting my standpoint in the FFA, but my standpoint in Idaho,” Pratt said. “I love U of I, so it would be me promoting the University of Idaho all over the nation. It’s just a crazy experience, and then to come back to this university and live out the goals and passions that I’ve already established, that would be special.”
At in the end, Falk said it’s not about Pratt getting elected, but about her developing skills for her future.
“I’ve indicated to Anna that a national office is not what we’re shooting for. We’re looking beyond that,” Falk said. “She’s developing skills that will help her rest of her life.”
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]