Illinois well represented at National FFA Convention

Three weeks down, two weeks to go: Illinois FFA 2026 chapter visits, branded “Legacy of Fellowship,” are almost complete.

In just three weeks, the major state officers have already traveled around 13,138 miles, met 4,575 students, visited 200 schools and experienced countless influential interactions and conversations.

The state officers deliver a hands-on workshop built for members, which reveals to students where they have resources both inside and outside of FFA to build a strong foundation for their future.

The workshop this year also highlights the importance of honoring the legacy of those who come before us as we celebrate 250 years of America, relating those people back to American agriculture.

Where all have the major state officers traveled so far? At this time, the state officers have officially covered 14 of the 25 sections across the state from Section 1 in the northwest corner to Section 25 in the southeast corner.

During chapter visit weeks, section presidents assist in leading the workshop, create a schedule for these weeklong trips and host a Section Leadership Training School.

While in each section for an entire week, one or two state officers, along with the section president and section officers, visit most of the FFA chapters in each section.

After the fifth week, the major state officers hope to collectively have visited over 390 FFA chapters across the entire state and seen over 9,000 FFA members.

While chapter visits are just about done, the last two weeks have been put on hold for the 99th annual National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis during the third week of October.

In 2025, more than 73,000 members, advisers and guests attended the convention, breaking the previous headcount record.

This year, 231 Illinois FFA members will receive their American FFA Degree, the highest achievable degree within the FFA organization.

In addition to this, more than 100 Illinois FFA members will compete in a national competition, one being Illinois FFA State Sentinel Levi German, who will be competing in the National Extemporaneous Speaking Leadership Development Event.

Illinois will also have 16 national delegates to serve on committees discussing issues and topics relating to the National FFA Organization.

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 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.

During the week of the convention in Indianapolis, the state officer team will partake in a National Day of Service alongside other state associations allowing the members to give back to communities both locally and nationally.

Illinois FFA is also proud to announce that Owen Torrance, the 2024-2025 state secretary and member of West Prairie FFA, will serve as Illinois’ 2026 National FFA officer candidate.

National officers serve as tremendous leaders and agricultural advocates for the organization, inspiring members across the country through wisdom and service.

Illinois FFA wishes Owen the best of luck as he represents the state association at the national level.

Ultimately, the National FFA Convention is complete with entertainment, general sessions, leadership experiences, keynotes, celebrating national competitors and exciting elections.

It serves as an eye-opening and impressive production to give FFA members a new perspective on the organization in which many Illinois FFA members are fortunate to partake in.

Just as FFA reporters everywhere explain in opening ceremonies, FFA covers “the state of Alaska to the Virgin Islands and from the state of Maine to Hawaii.”

Illinois FFA looks forward to honoring all American Degree recipients, national winners and finalists and national chapter award winners as they walk across the stage this October.

Needless to say, the major state officers may be close to completing chapter visits, but things definitely won’t be slowing down any time soon.

The state officers are extremely excited to form their legacy across the country at the 99th annual National FFA Convention & Expo.

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