Indiana’s agricultural future depends on developing the next generation of leaders, and a critical position helping shape that future is now open.
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is seeking an innovative, mission-driven leader to serve as the next director of the Indiana FFA Association, an organization representing more than 14,500 members and 233 chapters statewide.
With the position officially vacant and state officials hoping to fill it quickly, agricultural leaders, educators, industry professionals and others with a passion for youth development are being encouraged to identify and recruit qualified candidates.
The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.
The opening represents a significant leadership opportunity for someone who wants to influence agricultural education, strengthen Indiana’s FFA programs and help prepare young people for careers and leadership roles throughout agriculture and beyond.
Officials involved in the hiring process are emphasizing the importance of strong leadership, organizational and management skills, a commitment to agricultural education and the ability to build relationships across Indiana’s agricultural industry and education community.
A statewide leadership role with far-reaching responsibilities
The Indiana FFA director serves as the organization’s primary leader, providing strategic direction, administrative oversight and statewide coordination for one of Indiana’s most prominent agricultural youth organizations.
The position oversees statewide programming, organizational planning, budgets, grants and financial processes while supervising a dedicated team responsible for supporting students, advisors and volunteers.
According to the official ISDA job description, the director supervises the Indiana FFA deputy director, who oversees the assistant directors for career and leadership development and youth development, along with Indiana FFA’s seven state officers, who serve as full-time interns.
The director also manages the association’s internship program, providing mentorship and leadership development opportunities for young people preparing to take on greater responsibilities within agriculture and their communities.
Beyond daily operations, the position requires a leader capable of managing multiple projects, competing deadlines and complex organizational priorities while maintaining strong relationships with educators, agricultural leaders, legislators and state and federal agencies.
The director reports to the ISDA deputy director.
Indiana FFA State Convention, Indiana State Fair among major responsibilities
The new director will take the lead in planning, coordinating and executing some of Indiana FFA’s most important statewide events.
Those responsibilities include the Indiana FFA State Convention and the organization’s exhibit at the Indiana State Fair.
The Indiana State Fair assignment alone includes 35 days of onsite operations, volunteer coordination and scheduling for state officers.
The director also oversees statewide recognition programs, including State Star Awards, the National Chapter Award and Living to Serve initiatives.
Additional responsibilities include coordinating district-level training for agriculture teachers and FFA advisors, supporting local chapter development and helping ensure FFA remains an integral part of agricultural education and career and technical education programs throughout Indiana.
The position also plays an important role in developing Indiana’s future agricultural leaders through the State Officer Program.
The director will lead the selection process for state officer candidates and coordinate the preparation and selection of Indiana’s National Officer Candidate.
Building partnerships across Indiana agriculture
Strong relationships will be essential to the next director’s success.
The position involves working closely with agricultural industry partners, educational organizations, donors, volunteers and other stakeholders to strengthen Indiana FFA and expand opportunities for students.
The director also serves as Indiana FFA advisor and executive secretary/treasurer while representing the association in statewide agricultural and educational initiatives.
The official job description identifies numerous board and committee responsibilities, including serving on the Indiana FFA Foundation Board and Executive Committee, Team AgEd, the Indiana Association of Agricultural Educators Board of Control, the 4-H/FFA Judging Committee and several other statewide organizations.
The director also coordinates the Indiana FFA Board of Trustees and serves as its staff lead.
These responsibilities underscore the importance of finding someone who can bring people together, build trust and work effectively with partners across agriculture, education, government and industry.
The goal is to identify a strong leader who understands the importance of agricultural education and youth development while bringing the organizational skills and vision necessary to guide Indiana FFA into the future.
How to apply
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the position now.
Interested applicants should submit the following materials:
- Resume
- Cover letter outlining their interest in the position and qualifications
Applications should be emailed to David Bausman, ISDA deputy director, at DBausman@isda.IN.gov.
The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.
The official job description identifies a bachelor’s degree in an agricultural field as a requirement. Experience in agricultural education is strongly preferred, while teaching and local FFA advising experience are considered desirable.
Candidates should also possess strong communication skills, experience managing budgets and organizational priorities, the ability to lead multiple projects and a willingness to travel statewide and occasionally out of state.
For Indiana FFA, the search is about more than filling a vacancy. It is about finding a leader who can strengthen agricultural education, support thousands of students and advisors, and help ensure the next generation is prepared to lead Indiana agriculture into the future.
With the position open now and a Nov. 13 deadline approaching, state officials are encouraging agricultural leaders and supporters to help identify and recruit the right person for this important role.
