On the outskirts of one of the friendliest cities in the United States, Omaha, Nebraska, is where Jim Klinker was raised. To this day, his family still farms ground in Geneva, Nebraska. Jim’s education began in a humble K-8 one-room school with an oil burning furnace in the middle of the room, used to survive the severe Nebraska winters. Jim is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a degree in Agronomy. Prior to joining the United States Air Force, for three years Jim managed a research station for Stauffer Chemical. He married his high school sweetheart, Peggy and spent four years during the Vietnam era in the USAF serving as a medic. After USAF, Jim began to work for Arizona Farm Bureau. He spent the last 17 years of his 43-year career as the Chief Administrative Officer retiring in 2017.

Before coming to Arizona, Jim had never been exposed to FFA. He quickly learned the strong relationship that existed between Country Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom initiative. Jim stated, “It is a given that these kids are much better students with the vocational training and mentoring given by their agricultural teachers. That is why I stay involved on the board and support Arizona's FFA.”

Thank you, Jim, for the great contribution, time, and expertise you have given to the Arizona FFA Foundation, as a member of the Board.