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Ohio FFA state president focused on member growth and confidence in new role

The newly elected Ohio FFA state president says he’s looking forward to watching the organization grow over the next year. 

Austin Manning from the Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington FFA Chapter says he hopes to inspire members across the state.

“We want to make every member’s voice heard,” he says. “We’re going to go after those chapters that haven’t been visited in a while, but also those chapters that do get visits, but are lacking confidence right now. One interaction of encouragement and just an overall positive experience can help build confidence in those members.”

Manning spent the last year serving as the Ohio FFA State Reporter. He says it’s helped him prepare for his new role.

“The interactions I’ve had with members all across the state this past year and seeing what they’ve done for me, really lit a spark within me,” he says. “Always turning those conversations back to the members and asking them about themselves is going to be an extremely rewarding experience for me this year.”

The 2026-2027 Ohio FFA State Officer team was elected at the conclusion of the 98th annual state convention at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

Paige Gehret from the Versailles FFA Chapter was selected to serve as state vice president. Wrehn Thompson from the Upper Sandusky FFA Chapter is the new state secretary.  Claire Loudon from the Lancaster FFA Chapter was elected as the state treasurer. The new state reporter is Sydney Beiting from the East Clinton Great Oaks FFA Chapter/ Grace Allen from the Hillsboro Great Oaks FFA Chapter will spend the year serving as the state sentinel. State vice presidents as large as Hunter Wellman of the New Knoxville FFA, Grace Kackley of Meadowbrook FFA, Abigal Early of Wilmington FFA, Caleb Martin of Bellevue FFA, and Jackson DeWitt of Global Impact FFA.

AUDIO: Austin Manning, Ohio FFA State President