SANDPOINT — Anthony Jefferies’ introduction to agriculture was anything but conventional. In fact, born and raised in Nampa, farm fields and tractors weren’t even a part of his childhood. 

“I wasn’t exposed to anything that we would consider agriculture,” recalled Jefferies. “They were around me, but I wasn’t living in it like a lot of the kids we have now.” 

That changed when Jefferies took an introduction to agriculture class during his freshman year of high school. 

It was in that class that Jefferies’ passion for agriculture took root, inspiring him to eventually share his knowledge with the next generation. 

This year, the national Future Farmers of America organization selected Jefferies as one of 88 people from 37 states to serve as a national teacher ambassador for the 2026-2027 school year. 

The FFA is one of the top school-based youth leadership development organizations in the country. With more than 1 million student members, it serves to provide students with innovative and leading-edge education to help them grow into competent leaders, according to the organization’s website. 

Jefferies graduated with a degree in agricultural education from the University of Idaho and currently teaches agriculture at Burley High School, where he said being able to give back to students who were once in his position has been a full circle moment. 

“It means everything to me,” said Jefferies. “FFA has shaped me a lot with the activities that were given to me and the opportunities that were given to me.” 

As one of three national teacher ambassadors in Idaho, Jefferies will provide training and resources to other teachers across the state. 

After receiving an email from the FFA that applications for teacher ambassadors were open, Jefferies decided to apply. 

Last April, Jefferies found out he was selected to fill a teacher ambassador position in Idaho. 

Jefferies, along with other teacher ambassadors, went through several days of intensive in-person training at the FFA national headquarters to learn about and collaborate on educational resources. 

“It was a really cool week to not only learn about how to be an efficient workshop teacher, but also learn about the different resources that the national FFA has diligently worked really hard to create for all agriculture teachers,” said Jefferies. 

This year’s cohort includes more than 20 additional ambassadors from the previous year, adding more opportunities to train agriculture teachers through educational workshops and mentorship programs. 

Whether by calling or through an email, Jefferies encourages all agriculture teachers in the state seeking guidance to contact Idaho’s teacher ambassadors. 

Jefferies said teaching agriculture remains critical for students, as he has seen trade careers decline. 

“The trades are going to be in a very rough spot in the next 10 to 20 years,” said Jefferies. “There will be jobs and they are willing to pay. You make really good money in all the trades.” 

As parts of Idaho become more urbanized, Jefferies said there is a growing number of children who don’t understand where the potato they ate for dinner comes from. 

“That disconnect is starting to become bigger and bigger in our state in those urban areas,” said Jefferies. “That is also becoming one of the more important things to focus on, teaching students where their food comes from.” 

Jefferies’ advice to students who are uncertain about attending an agricultural event is simple: “Just try it.” 

He encourages them to give it a chance, saying, “It’s not going to hurt you to go to this one event. If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to ever do it again. If you do like it, you can just continue on.” 

“I would say 90% of the time, there is something that a kid can like in agriculture,” said Jefferies. 

Teachers can contact Jefferies at [email protected].