Idaho Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
IVATA is the professional organization for agriculture and natural resource instructors in the state of Idaho. Contact an IVATA leader by selecting their name to generate an email 
below.
2012-2013 IVATA Officer Team
President, Pat Dixon, Nampa
President-Elect, Val Johnson, Madison
Secretary, Nicole Lebsack, Jerome
Secretary-Elect, Trent Van Leuven
Executive Treasurer, Alan Heikkila, Meridian
Contact Mr. Heikkila for all membership information
Legislative Liaison, Shawn Dygert, Kuna
CTEI Representative, Amy Nichols, Parma
Past-President, Nathan Low, Payette
Trent Van Leuven, Alan Heikkila, Val Johnson, Nicole Lebsack, Pat Dixon,
Nathan Low, and Shawn Dygert (unavilable for photo: Amy Nichols)
Directors from each of the nine FFA Districts in Idaho work with the IVATA officers as the executive board for the association. District Directors are elected on three year renewable terms by the teachers in each district.
District |
Director | School | Term Started |
Term Expiration |
Terms Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Idaho |
JR Morrow | Genesee | 2009 |
2015 |
2 |
Western Idaho |
Kevin Barker | New Plymouth | 2010 |
2013 |
1 |
Boise Valley |
Jack Blattner | Meridian | 2005 |
2015 |
4 |
North Magic Valley |
Holly Church | Wendell | 2009 |
2015 |
2 |
South Magic Valley |
Brian Wolf | Filer | 2009 |
2015 |
2 |
East Magic Valley |
Marc Beitia | American Falls | 2008 |
2014 |
2 |
North Upper Snake River |
Jason Bair | Madison | 2011 |
2014 |
1 |
South Upper Snake River |
Cody Park | Aberdeen | 2009 |
2015 |
2 |
Southeast Idaho |
Kevin Wells | Bear Lake | 2011 |
2014 |
1 |
Past officers of the IVATA (1947-Present)
Past national officers of the NVATA/NAAE
Idaho IVATA Award Winners at the National Level
2002
Distinguished State Award
Outstanding Cooperation Award - Rick Waitley, President AMG
Upper Division Scholarship - Elizabeth Popheau and Erica Stelljes, University of Idaho
Future Teacher Scholarship - Shane Stevenson, Meridian
Lifetime Achievement Award - Fred Faulks, 1961-1996, Parma (retired)
2003
Distinguished State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Erica Whitmore, Kendrick
Lifetime Achievement Award - Keith Hyatt, 1968-1975, Kuna and 1976-2002, Payette (retired)
2004
Distinguished State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Jessica Stapleman, Aberdeen
Outstanding Cooperation Award - Ron Shopbell, College of Southern Idaho
2005
Distinguished State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Justin Patten, Snake River
100% membership for pre-service teachers, University of Idaho
2006
Distinguished State Award
Outstanding Young Member Award - Justin Patten, Snake River
100% membership for pre-service teachers, University of Idaho
2007
Distinguished State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Jesse Miller, Declo
Outstanding Cooperation Award - Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission
10% Award - Growth of over 10% in NAAE membership from the year prior
100% membership for pre-service teachers, University of Idaho
2008
Distinguished State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Cami Schumann, Raft River
Upper Division Scholarship - Jaysa Fillmore, University of Idaho
Lifetime Achievement Award - Larry Church, 1968-1995 Vallivue and 1995-2003, Fruitland (retired)
2009
Professional State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Travis Edwards, Kuna and Cody Park, Aberdeen
Outstanding Cooperation Award - NORCO, Boise
Ideas Unlimited Award - Janna Volkers, Nampa
100% membership for pre-service teachers, University of Idaho
Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr. John Mundt, 1967-1980, Meridian, 1980-1986, State Supervisor of Ag Education, and 1986-2002, University of Idaho (retired)
2010
Distinguished State Award
Teachers Turn the Key Award - Josh Evans, Preston
Outstanding Teacher Mentor Award - Sue Poland, Cambridge
2011
Professional State Award
2012
Outstanding Agriculture Education Teacher - Larin Crossley, Preston
Ideas Unlimited Award - Trent Van Leuven - Meridian
Professional State Award
Current State Level IVATA Award Winners
- Outstanding Program - Meridian
- Outstanding Teacher - Larin Crossley, Preston High School
- Outstanding Young Teacher - Josh Evans, Preston High School
- NORCO Inspirational Award - Jason Tindall, Notus High School
- Ideas Unlimited Award - Trent Van Leuven, Meridian School District
Supporting and partner organizations of the IVATA
AAAEAmerican Association for Agricultural Education
CTEICareer and Technical Educators of Idaho
ACTEAssociation for Career and Technical Education
NAAENational Association of Agricultural Educators