Young Leaders

I’ve sat in my fair share of coffee shops, airplane terminals, restaurants, FFA chapters and convention halls this year, and it has continued to remind me that we find joy in the people around us.

Top-performing and innovative FFA section presidents and 4-H members cultivated necessary leadership and professional skills during the Youth Education in Agriculture Committee’s recently held Premier 20 Leadership Conference.

Illinois Farm Bureau named Southern Illinois University Collegiate Farm Bureau as the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced that applications are open for three unique internship experiences for the fall 2025 semester.

A lot of growth has occurred in the agricultural department at Peotone High School since Abby Cowger started teaching and advising the FFA chapter in 2018.

As the 58th World Dairy Expo approaches, the event is searching for college students passionate about the dairy industry to be part of the 2025 media team.

Seven Heartland Community College students placed in a national competition to demonstrate agribusiness skills.

Rebekah Peterson’s students describe her teaching style as enthusiastic, hands-on and engaging.

Golden Owl Award finalist Kenna Slough was inspired to be an agricultural educator for a combination of reasons.

Students at Grant Park learned how to “bend don’t break” during a project developed by the Grant Park FFA Chapter that focused on mental health.

Chris Kaufman has been teaching agriculture for 24 years, but he remembers when life looked very different.

To McCord Snider, FFA is not just a club, organization or another group at school.

Students at the Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School are learning about a wide variety of agricultural-related topics through three new classes added to the curriculum this year.

The Indiana Senate passed Senate Resolution 36, recognizing the importance of Purdue Extension’s Community Leadership Program.

Two weeks ago, I was playing basketball and trying to dunk on a slightly wet court when I fell and hurt my wrist.

On any given day, Dan Parker could be advocating for agriculture with legislators, helping his daughters with 4-H projects, supporting the local FFA chapter, selling seed, or working on the farm.

As more than 1,000 FFA members and their teachers visited the Statehouse, a longtime advocate for those wearing the blue jackets reminisced about how the organization impacted his life.

March went in — and out — like a lion. Several state contests take place in spring, such as the recent dairy cattle and food science career development events, with many more on the calendar.

Twenty-five Illinois Farm Bureau members recently graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow, an extensive leadership development program designed to help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills and to become a voice for Illinois agriculture.

Grass will be ready for turnout soon. It is hard to hold out, but so important to give grass a fair start.

If you ask most working adults about their required annual certification processes, you may get an eye roll with their response.

Merck Animal Health announced it will donate $50,000 to the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization to support its newly established Educational Advancement Program.

A team of students from Purdue University earned $20,000 for creating SoyShield — an alternative to plastic wrap designed to be used in laboratories to seal chemical containers.

Soy Straws, a lightweight, shelf-stable snack, earned the $5,000 top prize in the first-ever Student Soy Food Competition at the 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition.

American Farmland Trust focuses on protecting farmland, keeping farmers on the land and promoting sound farming practices.

It’s now March of my National FFA president year, and I have a lot to catch you up on. There’s been a whole lot of delayed flights, late nights, a few times where it’s gone wrong and a few times where it’s gone right.

Purina Animal Nutrition, along with the Land O’Lakes Foundation, has reopened its annual scholarship program designed to assist students with experience in livestock production and animal stewardship in pursuing their passions and furthering their education.

High school and college ladies spent a day learning about career opportunities directly from women working in numerous types of agricultural-related jobs.

Attending the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture event at Southern Illinois University provided Suma Dommati the opportunity to continue to build her agricultural network.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Women in Agribusiness Student Scholarship Award.

More than 2,400 students attended a virtual field trip to a dairy farm during National School Breakfast Week.

The All-Breed Classic Open Horse Show will be a must-see event Aug. 1-3 at the Lake County Fair.

Food, feed and fuel production is a global business, but it still all comes down to finding the best solutions for individual farmers on their fields.

Between the chartering of new FFA chapters, celebrations of FFA Week, announcements of District Golden Owl Award recipients, convention preparation and chapter banquets, February brought many blessings.

Applications are being accepted for college scholarships that are awarded by America’s dairy farmers and importers through the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board.

Students at Westlake Elementary School kicked off National School Breakfast Week with a fun program hosted by American Dairy Association Indiana.

Members of Illinois Agri-Women gathered for their annual meeting to elect new officers, conduct association business and learn about several Illinois agricultural organizations.

It is a new day for agriculture, said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins.

A collaborative effort between the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Agriculture will offer a unique educational opportunity for conservation planners.

Western Illinois University agriculture students recently showcased their skills and leadership at the Illinois Spring Postsecondary Agricultural Students competition, bringing home multiple top placements and leadership honors.

The Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program from Brevant seeds provides FFA students with the opportunity to gain industry experience and fundraise for their chapter.

As we bid farewell to February, I find myself aching for the warmth and promise of spring in the heart of middle America.

Over this past year, I dedicated extra time to celebrating our county presidents because they are the very heartbeat of our mighty federation.

Gov. Mike Braun proclaimed the week of Feb. 15-22 as FFA Week in Indiana to celebrate agricultural education and FFA’s impact on youth leadership and career success.

A children’s tractor magazine that ceased publication in 2023 after 17 years has been given a second chance.

During National FFA Week, many of us recall those years we spent wearing blue and gold jackets with the FFA logo emblazoned on the back. I still have mine, a hand-me-down from my sister, hanging in a closet somewhere in this old house.

Agricultural students at Belvidere North High School learn a variety of skills, including how to raise and care for quail and chickens.

Every year, students across the country celebrate National FFA Week.

National FFA Week, Feb. 15-22, is a time for members to celebrate and share what FFA is all about.

The Illinois Agri-Women organization is offering four scholarships for females studying agriculture.