FFA Corner: Officer team embraces spirit of living to serve

Whether advocating on Capitol Hill, mentoring campers or preparing for the Illinois State Fair, the Illinois FFA state officer team is embracing every opportunity to serve.

Following a week in Carbondale in southern Illinois, the team headed to the opposite end of the state in preparation for a trip to Washington.

The eventful week kicked off with a pork chop dinner and fun-filled games at the Maierhofer Farm in Seneca, hosted by Seneca FFA.

Typically, the major state officers and section presidents travel together with IL Corn to D.C., but the past two years the two groups split due to the National FFA State Officer Summit taking place during the same week.

The section presidents, on a trip sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Corn Marketing Board, engaged in monument tours, conducted legislative visits and had conversations with professionals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council and Marquis Energy and attended the 2026 Corn Congress.

The major state officers focused on officer training and networking with FFA state officers from across the country. While there, officers voted on the six National FFA committees and later watched as they were revealed.

This year’s committees are: the Enhancing CDE/LDE Experiences and Career Pipeline Committee, the Leadership Development and Demographics Committee, the Student and Stakeholder Input in Operational Decisions Committee, the Strengthening Ag Literacy and Production Agriculture Committee, the Increasing Engagement for Spanish Speaking Members Committee, and the Heritage and Future Focus Committee.

Both Illinois FFA Vice President Collin Johnson and Reporter Haven Cash will be serving as leadership delegates under their respective committee — Johnson as vice chair and Cash as discussion group leader.

The major state officers 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, state officers attended FFA Leadership 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, HOSA-Future Health Professionals, Science Olympiad and SkillsUSA, they learned about opportunities within other organizations while gaining leadership skills to apply during their year of service.

To round out the week, FFA adult board members, major state officers and section president district representatives met for the first FFA Board Meeting of the 2026-2027 term alongside the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers board of directors.

Officers have also been busy working in their committees consisting of the Ag Education Recruitment and Retention Committee, the Foundation Committee and the Public Relations Committee.

The Ag Education Recruitment and Retention Committee focuses on advocating the need for ag teachers and is actively working towards keeping Illinois ag teachers. This year, among other things, they are creating gift bags to hand out to ag teachers during chapter visits.

The Foundation Committee is focused on students supporting the Illinois Foundation FFA. The foundation gives so much to members of the state officer team, so this committee was formed to give back to the foundation by aiding in fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Finally, the Public Relations Committee works on integrating agricultural literacy into the classroom and general public. During the school year, Illinois FFA will post Ag Fact Fridays on behalf of this committee in addition to reading books in grade school classrooms.

During the week of Aug. 10, the officers prepared for the Illinois State Fair and held their August State Officer Team Meeting. 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 Twilight Parade — bringing to life the energy and spirit of the Illinois State Fair.

Haven Cash from the North Clay FFA Chapter is the 2026-2027 Illinois Association FFA state reporter.