Kade Hill named Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Discussion Meet winner

CHICAGO — Kade Hill of Livingston County, a former agriculture teacher and past FFA president who works in agribusiness, was named the 2025 Young Leader Discussion Meet winner on Dec. 7 during Illinois Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in Chicago.

“Participating in the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader discussion meet has given me an opportunity to have purposeful and powerful conversations with other young ag professionals — all for the betterment of Illinois farmers and agriculturalists,” Hill said.

“Having been named runner-up in last year’s competition, I am proud to have earned a seat at the table for the discussion in the final four round again this year and ultimately be named as state winner.”

IFB promotes and sponsors the Discussion Meet with the goals of developing young peoples’ leadership and communication skills on behalf of agriculture and of working together and reaching consensus on how to deal with current issues in agriculture. The competition judges contestants’ ability to manage a small group discussion.

Participants exchange facts and insights on a predetermined topic. Judges award points based on how well participants work with one another, how well they express themselves and on their knowledge of the topic.

IFB, COUNTRY Financial and GROWMARK sponsor the competition.

“The purposeful and powerful conversations don’t stop here,” Hill said of the competition. “There is still plenty of work to be done, and I look forward to bringing it all to the table in Anaheim, California, for the National YF&R Discussion Meet during AFBF’s Annual Convention.”

During the final four Discussion Meet, Hill discussed ways to improve sustainability, both environmentally and financially, with finalists, Josh Bolen, an Ogle County farmer; Jacob Dickey, a Champaign County television meteorologist; and Collin Moseley of Clay County, who works for a legislative organization in Washington, D.C. Twenty-eight Young Leaders competed at the state level.