Illinois State Fair

Though summer quickly came to an end, the Illinois FFA Major State Officer Team has continued to put its leadership abilities to the test. At the annual Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the state officers carried on the tradition of working the FFA Barnyard.

Educating state and national legislators about important issues for farmers is one of several goals for the Illinois Soybean Association. “One of the biggest things with the new farm bill coming up is keeping the crop insurance,” said Steve Pitstick.

Promoting homegrown food provided the centerpiece at the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s tent at the state fair. During the opening weekend of the fair, free local food samples were provided at an artisan market.

The bow has been tied on the 2022 Illinois State Fair. While it will be a few weeks before official audited attendance numbers will be available, there are several factors that point to a successful year.

The road to Illinois FFA major state office is not a smooth path and the lucky few who are named state officers learn quickly that their term is not easy, either. However, it is among the most fulfilling journeys on which a teenager can embark.

The Illinois State Fair, an 11-day showcase of agriculture and family fun, kicked off Aug. 11 with the theme “Grow With Us.”

The people who meet Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Addisyn Calloni as she travels around to county fairs throughout the state would never guess it, but speaking to large groups of people hasn’t always been a favorite thing for Calloni.

The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research held its annual meeting via Zoom. The board voted to continue to support the Illinois State Fair.

Early in 2021, four Illinois college students were selected to serve as the Midwest Dairy ambassadors. Throughout the year, this group promoted the dairy industry and supported Midwest Dairy’s mission to give consumers an excellent dairy experience at a variety of industry and consumer events in Illinois.

Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello II announced the hiring of Rebecca Clark as the next manager of the Illinois State Fair. Clark replaces Kevin Gordon who came out of retirement to manage the last two Illinois State Fairs in 2019 and 2021.