PRIEST RIVER — The West Bonner County School District voted unanimously to approve the formation of a Future Farmers of America chapter inside the district. 

The request was made by a longtime forestry teacher in the district, Jared Hughes. Hughes is currently undergoing alternate authorization courses and hopes to have the chapter’s first meeting in March or April to begin planning and programming for the 2026-2027 school year.  

“We can try to help with the fairs and the summertime stuff,” Hughes said. “Then we start doing leadership training in the fall with competitions intermixed in there, it's going to be exciting for the kids.” 

Thanks to a $1,000 chunk of the Ag Start Up grant, state funds and fundraisers, Hughes said no district dollars would be going toward the program. The grant will help cover the start-up costs like jackets and organization pieces, while state funds would cover travel costs and equipment, according to Hughes. 

In his request, Hughes said the community and students were very excited at the prospect of forming an FFA chapter, and he's already received commitments from parents who have experience with the organization. 

“I had a parent reach out to me today,” Hughes said during Wednesday’s meeting. “She did FFA leadership training in Washington, and she's already offered to come out and help us do those things for us, so it's going to be awesome.” 

In a survey conducted by Hughes, 12 local agricultural businesses in the region said they were in favor and would support the FFA chapter. Hughes also polled students with over 80% of the 40 students who responded that they were interested in joining the FFA. 

Hughes said he would also be receiving help from the Bonners Ferry FFA chapter organizer and local 4-H chapters. 

“Bonners Ferry has had one for over 100 years, and the lady there has been there for like, 10 or 15 years,” Hughes said. "She's already offered to come down and help us start. So, we have a lot of people wanting to help us get through this.” 

Multiple trustees described the formation of the chapter as exciting due in part to the opportunities it presents to students at the next level of education and in the community. 

“I think it’s great,” Board Chair Ann Yount said. “Any opposed or abstentions? None, go for it you guys.” 

When formed, WBCSD will have the only active FFA chapter in Bonner County. Currently Bonner and Clearwater County are the only two counties in the FFA’s North Idaho region that do not have an active chapter, according to the organization’s website. 

“I know a lot of people in the community; they didn't even know that we didn't have an FFA chapter, and we have never had one, so they're excited that we get one,” Hughes said. “They have great scholarship programs and learning, and especially through University of Idaho's Ag program, so many opportunities.”