FFA

It took just short of four weeks for Dan Parker to finally get the last seed in the ground.

The countdown to the 97th Illinois State FFA Convention continues, along with practices to perfect every skit, speech and stage cue.

Ten students were recently named Illinois FFA Top 10 Chapter Presidents in recognition of excelling in their role as an FFA president.

Illinois FFA chapters and collegiate Farm Bureaus proudly raised a total of 206,084.37 pounds of food, volunteered 7,482.75 hours and donated $54,897.42 during the 2024-2025 Harvest for All campaign.

For several years, I have used this column to offer up some nuggets of advice for those newly minted graduates and others willing to accept it.

The Riskedal family uses regenerative agricultural practices on their farm where they grow corn, soybeans and wheat along with feeding cattle for a freezer beef enterprise.

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.

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.

Janna Morgan is the fifth generation of teachers in her family.

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.

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.

The newly named Corteva Coliseum was unveiled at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The facility features more than 150 events for more than 1 million guests each year.

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.

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.

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.

The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers honored two individuals for their contributions to agriculture and the profession at the group’s recent annual meeting.

Eight agriculture teachers have been named finalists for the Golden Owl Award — sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and Nationwide.

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

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.

Though FFA Week may last a mere seven days, the state officers find it important to sport an attitude of pride and excitement for the FFA every day.

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.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been serving as the National FFA president for close to three months. On one hand, it feels like just a day since I heard my name called and put on the blank jacket for the first time.

The Friends of Green Club’s annual fundraiser to provide tech program scholarships and benefit local food banks was featured at the Midwest Ag Expo.

Avery Isringhausen knows firsthand how the connections made at the WIU Ag Mech Club Farm Expo can be helpful.

Flipping the calendar year to 2025 led to the transition of our team goals to include planning for Illinois FFA State Convention.

Two central Illinois agriculture teachers already had plenty on their plates as they watched and listened to the news.

During a special reception for county leaders at the 2024 Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention, the organization recognized the achievements of county Farm Bureaus in 2024.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association’s 2024 Excellence in Media Award was presented to Jim Taylor, a reporter on the RFD Radio Network, at the ICGA annual meeting.

George Obernagel of Waterloo was the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s top award, The World of Corn.

CattleCon 2025 invites future agricultural leaders to San Antonio to experience the largest cattle industry event of the year, Feb. 4-6.

As we head into the holiday season, please support those who support your community. There are many reasons to shop in your local, rural communities.

Illinois FFA members received prestigious awards for the development of their outstanding projects during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

A program designed to teach elementary students about agriculture and connections to the Spanish culture earned the Cambridge FFA Chapter a national award at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo.

FFA students and advisers from around Indiana celebrated a successful 2024 National FFA Convention.