FFA Corner: Preparation for state convention in full swing

The month of March is a unique one for the five Illinois FFA major state officers. In March, preparation for the FFA state convention is in full swing.

The five majors spend their weeks in the state office located in Springfield, Illinois. Preparation for the convention includes script writing, organizing volunteers, speech prepping and countless other tasks.

This preparation does not stifle the officers’ travels as there is still plenty to do around the state.

March 13 marked this year’s Ag Legislative Day in Illinois. Nearly 800 Illinois FFA members flooded the capitol in Springfield to advocate for agriculture.

Gaining the support of government officials behind an important cause is a crucial part of being involved in the legislative process.

The morning of Ag Legislative Day, Illinois FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider addressed agricultural leaders across the state at a breakfast reception, followed by a picture on the capitol steps with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II.

Throughout the day, FFA played a big role in this process by visiting the offices of state legislators, delivering lunches and delivering over 300 commodity baskets, which were packed by the Illinois FFA state officers.

A reception was held for FFA members to learn more about how to talk to and gain support from legislators.

On March 6, the five officers split up to attend all five district proficiency awards. These competitions decided who got to compete in their area at State Awards Day, which was held at Mt. Zion High School on Saturday, March 23.

Proficiency awards are presented to FFA members who excel in their Supervised Agricultural Experience projects, informally known as FFA projects.

Winners in each SAE area were announced that same day, along with the victors of the Supervised Occupational Experience areas and the middle school Discovery Stars. These individuals will be recognized on stage at the Illinois FFA State Convention, June 11-13.

The District Stars in Agribusiness, Stars in Ag Placement, Stars in Agriscience and Star Farmers also interviewed and the final results for those areas will be revealed at the state convention in the Stars Over Illinois ceremony.

Following State Awards Day, officers got the opportunity to travel to the Tennessee FFA State Convention. The group departed on March 24 for Gatlinburg.

In addition to enjoying the sessions and member recognition, the team led a workshop and met some Tennessee FFA members.

In their free time, the Illinois state officers could be seen going in and out of the shops on the streets of Gatlinburg.

When each day was done, the team returned to their rented cabin to discuss the ideas learned from visiting another state’s convention.

With the Illinois convention on the horizon, the trip to Tennessee served as a reminder on how to put on a great convention and helped get the team in the convention mindset.

Cooper Nelson from the Canton FFA Chapter is the 2023-2024 Illinois Association FFA state reporter.