FFA is on the grow throughout Illinois

From charter signings to banquets and everything in between, the Illinois FFA major state officers this past month have participated in a wide variety of events across the state, along with extensive convention preparation.

To kick things off, the team attended two charter signings, participated in the Youth Education in Agriculture committee meeting, assisted with the State Dairy Cattle Career Development Event, became CPR certified and attended multiple FFA banquets across Illinois.

As Illinois FFA continues to grow in size and involvement, it is crucial to welcome more students into the organization. One way to accomplish this is by adding new chapters through official charter signings.

This month, state officers attended two charter signings at Jack Hille Middle School and Jacksonville Middle School.

Not only does this demonstrate Illinois FFA’s growth, but it also allows younger students to begin experiencing the benefits of the FFA organization. In Illinois, there are now over 50 middle school programs and that number continues to grow.

The major state officers also took a trip to Bloomington to the Illinois Farm Bureau office, where we serve on the YEA Committee. During the meeting, they discussed and reviewed the tentative agenda for the annual Premier Chapter Tour in Washington, D.C.

This trip allows the section and state winners in the Premier Chapter area, representing one chapter from each of the state’s 25 sections, to send two representatives to tour the nation’s capital.

Chapters are selected based on their performance in the National Chapter Award within their respective section. While this trip will be the first opportunity for the major state officers after officially retiring from their positions, for many members it will come in the middle of their FFA career.

During a cold day in March, members had the opportunity to compete in the State Dairy Cattle CDE. Participants evaluated live dairy cows and heifers based on skeletal structure, mammary systems and overall appearance.

In addition to the judging portion, members completed a 20-question test covering topics such as cattle nutrition, parts of the dairy cow, equipment identification and dairy herd management.

This is just one of the many CDE events hosted across the state, providing members with the chance to put their dairy cattle knowledge to the test.

As convention approaches, it is important that the officers and staff are prepared for anything that may arise during the event. One way Illinois FFA ensures preparedness is through CPR training.

Through the American Red Cross, staff and major state officers participated in a workshop to learn how to properly administer CPR and identify individuals in need of emergency assistance. As a result, all participants became officially CPR certified.

As the school year comes to a close, FFA chapters across the state take time to celebrate the accomplishments of their members. The major state officers support this by traveling to chapters to deliver keynote speeches, assist with fundraisers and connect with members.

The achievements of students are truly remarkable, and recognizing these accomplishments encourages continued involvement and highlights the many opportunities FFA has to offer.

Throughout the month, in between traveling, the major state officers have dedicated significant time to preparing for the State Convention. From writing retiring addresses to designing slideshows, it truly takes a team effort to bring convention to life.

As convention quickly approaches, the officer team encourages members, advisers and supporters of FFA to consider attending.

Whether you are a freshman finishing your first year or a senior closing out your final year, State Convention offers an opportunity to make new connections, expand your network and enjoy all that FFA has to offer.

As we look toward the future, Illinois FFA is excited to continue working toward a fun and meaningful State Convention for all to enjoy. Convention will take place June 9-11 at the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown Springfield.

This year may be flying by, but the accomplishments of Illinois FFA members make every moment worthwhile.

Ethan Bremmer from the Pearl City FFA Chapter is the 2025-2026 Illinois Association FFA state reporter.