FFA officer team elected to lead state organization

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Five FFA members will be taking the path to lead the statewide organization after being elected the new officer team during 95th annual Illinois Association FFA State Convention.

FFA officers elected during the convention were: President Thaddeus Bergschneider, Franklin Chapter; Vice President Eric Wisely, Nashville Chapter; Reporter Cooper Nelson, Canton Chapter; Secretary Riley Kessler, Staunton Chapter; and Treasurer Benjamin Bremmer, Pearl City Chapter.

“This is incredible, but I’m not sure it’s hit me yet,” said Bergschneider after delegates selected him as the president for the upcoming year.

“I had a goal to become the Section 14 president which I had written down on a goal card and in a planner,” the Franklin FFA member said. “Elections can be so crazy sometimes, so I had to make sure I was at peace with whatever path came and it turned out that I will be able to serve Illinois FFA.”

Bergschneider lives on a family grain and cattle operation. “I started raising poultry and then got involved with everything else on the farm,” said the son of Paul and Janie Bergschneider.

After joining the FFA, Bergschneider fostered a love for public speaking that started with creed speaking as a high school freshman. “Then I competed in extemporaneous public speaking and that became what I loved to do,” he said. “With that I was elected Section 14 president and that started this leadership journey I’ve been on.”

During his year as state president, Bergschneider said he is excited for the opportunity to impact the section presidents. “The five major state officers can only cover so much ground, but when you create 25 great leaders, like how much I grew when I was a section president, then those people can impact the state in an incredible way,” he said.

The president’s future plan is to attend Purdue University to study agricultural economics. “I really enjoy teaching in some way so I want to be a financial analyst,” he said. “And policy is very interesting, so I’m looking forward to ag legislative day and our trip to D.C.”

Along with his advisers, Kaitlyn Kane and Brent Nelson, Bergschneider also received help from FFA members and his family as he prepared for the election process. “My whole family was there for me when I really needed them,” he said about his six brothers and sisters.

“The initial shock was a lot,” said Eric Wisely about his new officer position. “It’s been a crazy morning but I’m very excited.”

Derek Sample, the 2022-2023 Illinois FFA vice president, announced Wisely as the FFA member to take his place. “Derek is a really close friend of mine, we served on the section officer team for two years together,” Wisely said. “So following in his footsteps means a lot.”

During his year as an officer, Wisely plans to share his personality and energy with FFA members. “I want to show members all the opportunities in FFA,” said the son of Jimmy and Denise Wisely. “There are so many different golden opportunities for growth that if you take advantage of them, you will grow a whole lot more than you ever anticipated.”

As a freshman, Wisely said, he was pushed by his adviser, Julie Bond-Ledford. “I was probably the quietest person in my Intro to Ag class for the first half of the year,” he admitted. “She got me out of my shell and now she can’t get me to be quiet.”

The FFA vice president has American Quarter horses for his FFA project. “I show them at the local, state and national level and that’s what got me introduced to FFA,” he added.

“I want to show members that you don’t have to be someone else’s definition of perfect to be a capable leader,” Wisely said. “As a freshman, I didn’t think this would be something I could do because I wasn’t picture perfect and I didn’t fit the standard.”

Wisely will attend Southern Illinois University next year to study agricultural education. “I want to be an ag teacher and a FFA adviser,” he said.

“I am excited to get started,” said Cooper Nelson about his reporter position.

“I want members to know we’re going to be there for them this year,” Nelson said. “We’re still getting back to the norm from COVID and we’re getting so many new members.”

Nelson’s FFA projects include sheep and beef production. “I show crossbred market lambs,” said the son of Brent and Cassie Nelson. “And at the Fulton County Fair I caught a calf in the calf scramble, so that started my Shorthorn herd.”

The FFA reporter received help from many people as he prepared for the elections including his adviser, Colton Downs. “My fellow section presidents taught me a ton,” he added. “Also my mom, dad and my siblings,” he said. “My little brother was a delegate today for the elections.”

After completing his year as an officer, Nelson will attend Spoon River College to complete an associate degree. “I’d like to have a career in agriculture but I haven’t found my calling yet,” he said. “So I think this year will provide me the opportunity to find that.”

“This is something I’ve dreamed of and I’ve always looked up to the state officers,” said Riley Kessler. “I’m so happy to be here so I can be that person for FFA members and maybe get them more active in FFA.”

The FFA secretary is looking forward to building personal connections with as many FFA members as possible. “If you make a personal connection with someone, they make a connection to FFA and then they have a positive experience,” she explained.

Kessler has a love for animals. “I’ve cared for cows, horses, alpacas, honey bees, dogs and cats,” said the daughter of Michael and Lisa Kessler. “I love agriculture and that’s what I’m here for — advocacy for agriculture.”

Advised by John Davin and Maggie McCalla, Kessler has several FFA projects including a few in agricultural education. “This year, I interned with my teachers so I taught lessons during the school year,” she explained.

“My advisers have pushed me from day one,” the FFA member said. “A few weeks after she came, my adviser said to me, “Riley, I see something in you,” and that sparked something in me I never knew I had.”

Kessler’s ag teachers have inspired her to choose the same career so she will be attending Murray State University to complete a degree in agricultural education. “That’s why I interned this year and taught lessons,” she said. “I loved it.”

“My father was a section president, so he inspired me to run for section president,” said Benjamin Bremmer, the new FFA state treasurer. “I always like to take opportunities and I never want to regret not doing something.”

Bremmer’s family farm is 30 minutes from Wisconsin and 30 minutes from Iowa. “There is so much state for me to explore to see the diverse landscape of Illinois and meet the members,” he said. “It is such a surreal moment to hear your name called, run on stage and everyone in the center is cheering for you.”

In addition to growing corn and soybeans, the family also raises replacement dairy heifers for two local dairies. “For my FFA project, I grew one-half acre of popcorn that I sold to area venues and through Facebook,” said the son of Chad and Deborah Bremmer.

In addition, for Bremmer’s grain production placement project, he is involved with the corn and soybean crops, doing spring and fall tillage as well as running the grain cart. “I also run the combine when I can get my uncle out of it,” said the FFA member who is advised by Kristen Gallagher.

Bremmer has completed his freshman year at Highland Community College. After serving as an officer, he will return there to finish his associate’s degree before transferring to the University of Illinois to study agribusiness, markets and management.

“My goal is to return to the family farm,” Bremmer said. “It’s a deep passion of mine to continue the legacy and I will be the fifth generation on our farm.”