FFA officers hit ground running

From the moment the team was elected on June 12, everything changed in the everyday lives of the six new Illinois FFA major state officers.

They went from planning for college to selecting the Illinois FFA state theme and traveling the state. The excitement among the team was like nothing they’d ever experienced before.

The 2025-2026 major state officers — President Natalie Pratt, Amboy; Vice President Koben Tate, Illini West; Reporter Ethan Bremmer, Pearl City; Secretary Kyle Bradshaw, Pittsfield; Treasurer Kaydance Wooton, Blue Ridge; and first-ever Sentinel Paige Sierens, Annawan — hit the ground running. The Monday after convention, their duties had already begun.

The first week in Springfield, they assisted the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers Conference by helping with registration, moving supplies and assisting with the awards ceremony.

Next came Base Camp, led by National FFA staff. This four-day training, held at the Illinois FFA Center in Springfield, provided several hours of instruction on ethics, talents, team dynamics, leadership levels and workshop development.

During the week of June 30, the team officially transitioned into their roles as the 2024-2025 major state officers handed over responsibilities.

This week included debriefings from the outgoing team and time for the new officers to move into their cubicles and get briefed on office operations. The transition helped the incoming team feel a sense of belonging and prepared them for the year of service ahead.

After celebrating Independence Day, the team hit the road for a trip to Southern Illinois University for the annual July state officer meeting.

During this week, the section presidents participated in reflections, committee meetings and campus tours while receiving valuable training in facilitation, ethics, etiquette and animal ethics. It was also during this week that chapter visit assignments and the 2025-2026 Illinois FFA state theme were revealed.

Following the week in Carbondale, the team headed to the opposite end of the state in preparation for their trip to Washington. The eventful week kicked off with a pork chop dinner and fun-filled games at Maierhofer Farms in Seneca, hosted by Seneca FFA.

This year was a little different than most. Typically, the major state officers and section presidents travel together with Illinois Corn to D.C., but this year the two groups split due to the National FFA State Officer Summit taking place during the same week.

While the section presidents, on a trip sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association, engaged in monument tours, government building visits and conversations with professionals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Grains Council and attended the 2025 National Corn Congress, the major state officers focused on officer training and networking with FFA state officers from across the country.

They also had the chance to advocate for FFA in legislative offices and visit historical landmarks in the nation’s capital. The highlight of the trip for many on the team was meeting fellow state officers from across the country and from organizations engaged in diverse areas of agriculture.

Upon returning from Washington, all 31 state officers attended FFA Camp at the 4-H Memorial Campground in Monticello. There, section presidents served as small group leaders, cabin chaperones and led camper reflections.

The major state officers captured photos, led “Daily Dynamite” and ensured campers had a memorable experience.

Soon after camp, the major state officers attended the three-day Illinois Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations Conference.

Together with state officers from Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America and HOSA-Future Health Professionals, they learned about opportunities within other organizations while gaining leadership skills to apply during their year of service.

To round out the week, IAVAT board members and section president district representatives met for the first joint board meeting of the 2025-2026 term.

During the week of Aug. 4, the officers prepared for the Illinois State Fair and held their August state officer meeting with section presidents. The meeting served to both prepare for the fair and provide valuable team-building time.

To kick off the fair, the entire state officer team marched in the State Fair Parade — bringing to life the energy and spirit of the Illinois State Fair.

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