Members of the Edwards County FFA chapter attended the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention June 10-12 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2025 theme of “The Final Mission,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.
During the convention, the following awards were presented to Edwards County FFA:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Parker Biggs, Cali Bunting, Chloe Iles, Grace McCarty, Chase Shelton, and Emily Spray were conferred with State FFA Degrees by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
Pictured L to R: Cali Bunting, Emily Spray, Chloe Iles, Grace McCarty, Chase Shelton, Parker Biggs
American FFA Degree: Alyson Williams was recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The 2025 American FFA Degrees will be officially conferred at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October and recognizes the most dedicated members in the country who demonstrated excellence with their supervised agricultural experience, provided outstanding leadership and community service, and earned scholastic achievement throughout their FFA career.
Pictured: Aly Williams
Harvest For All Section Winner: The chapter was recognized for excellence in efforts to fight food insecurity in Illinois through dollars raised, pounds of food donated, and hours volunteered. The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders sponsors the Harvest For All awards.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom (from L to R) in photo 1F-002-A: Grace McCarty and Chloe Iles
Agricultural Sales Career Development Event – Top 4 Individual Sales Activity: Aiden McDowell was recognized as one of the top four participants in the Individual Sales Activity during the state Agricultural Sales CDE, which provides participants with the opportunity to demonstrate skills in customer relations, advertising and promotion, and merchandise displays.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom in photo 1J-002-B: Aiden McDowell
Building Communities National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter’s program of activities, Building Communities is designed to encourage the local development of FFA partnerships with alumni affiliates and other organizations while taking a leadership role in making the community a better place to live and work. Cargill is the statewide sponsor of the Building Communities National Chapter Award.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom (from L to R) in photo 1N-002-C: Kami Keener and Autumn Grisham
Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter’s program of activities, Strengthening Agriculture is designed to encourage opportunities and service for members, such as promoting increased member participation and financial responsibility, creating a positive image, and interacting with support groups and cooperatives through organized activities. Farm Credit Illinois is the statewide sponsor of the Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom (from L to R) in photo 2A-002-D: Grace McCarty and Chloe Iles
Outstanding Chapter Reporter: Jake Wiseman was recognized as one of eight outstanding chapter reporters in the state for exemplary dedication and diligence in communicating with chapter members and the local media. The award is sponsored by Illinois AgriNews.
Pictured Jake Wiseman
Foundation Star Supporter: The chapter was recognized for making a gift of at least $1,000 to the Illinois Foundation FFA during the annual fundraising campaign which designates them as a One Star Foundation Sponsor.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom (from L to R) in photo 3A-002-F: Kami Keener and Autumn Grisham
Honorary State Illinois FFA Degree: Michelle Wiseman was conferred with an Honorary State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association FFA for outstanding service to agricultural education and FFA programs.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom in photo 4D-002-G: Michelle Wiseman
State Premier Chapter Award Section Winner: The State Premier Chapter Award is given to the chapter in the section with the highest overall score on the National Chapter Award application. The Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies Youth Education in Agriculture Committee sponsors the State Premier Chapter Awards.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom (from L to R) in photo 5C-002-H: Kami Keener and Autumn Grisham
National Chapter Award Finalist: The chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom (from L to R) in photo 5D-002-I: Grace McCarty and Chloe Iles
Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider of Illinois and from each of the retiring major state officers.
About Illinois Association FFA
The Illinois Association FFA is part of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America. 36,874 students are enrolled in 385 FFA chapters in the State of Illinois. FFA is a national youth organization of 1,027,273 student members with a mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ilaged.org for more information.
Comments