2025-26 Tennessee FFA State Reporter Ari Mota.
The Tennessee FFA Association has announced its 2025-26 state officer team, with Ari Mota selected as the state reporter. This prestigious role is a testament to Mota’s dedication to agricultural education and leadership. Currently a senior at Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna, Tenn., she will attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville this fall, continuing her journey in agricultural advocacy and leadership.
The Tennessee FFA Selection Process
Becoming a Tennessee FFA state officer is highly competitive, with approximately 30 candidates vying for eight positions. These officers are crucial in representing over 33,000 FFA members across the state.
The selection process is overseen by a nominating committee of 12, including six FFA members and two representatives from each of Tennessee’s three regions. This committee evaluates candidates through rigorous interviews, public speaking engagements and written applications. The process ensures that the most qualified and passionate individuals are chosen to lead the organization for the upcoming year.
Notably, the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture and Education sits on the nominating committee. Their involvement highlights the significance of agricultural education and leadership development in the state. These high-ranking officials help guide the committee in selecting individuals who will uphold the FFA mission of developing leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Mota’s FFA Journey
Mota’s selection as state reporter reflects her impressive dedication to the FFA organization. While at Stewarts Creek High School, she served as the Middle Tennessee Regional FFA Secretary for the 2024-25 term, giving her firsthand experience in leadership, event planning, and advocacy for agricultural education. She is also a reporter in the inaugural year of the national FFA in the USA program.
Her school’s FFA chapter has a strong reputation, having previously earned a National 3-Star Chapter designation, one of the highest honors an FFA chapter can receive. Stewarts Creek High School has a history of producing remarkable FFA leaders. In 2023, Ella Hasty, another Stewarts Creek student, served as Tennessee FFA state president. She now continues this legacy of leadership and service.
The Role of a State Reporter
As the Tennessee FFA state reporter, Mota will document and share FFA activities across the state. She will also manage media relations, contribute to official publications, and highlight the organization’s impact on students and communities. Her role will also involve public speaking, social media management and coordinating with local chapters to ensure FFA news reaches a broad audience.
Her passion for agricultural education and leadership makes her well-suited for this position. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to personal and professional growth, aligning with the organization’s core values. As she embarks on this new journey, she will inspire fellow members to take on leadership roles and advocate for the future of agriculture.
With her leadership, dedication, and communication skills, Mota will significantly impact Tennessee FFA in the coming year. Her journey inspires FFA members across the state, proving that hard work, passion and perseverance can lead to remarkable opportunities.
