FFA officers preparing for the final mission

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.

In addition to these CDEs, students from all five districts competed in proficiency and Star interviews at the 2025 State Awards Day.

Two hundred and ninety-one FFA members with the top record books documenting their time, experiences, leadership, finances, skills and goals in Illinois competed for the title of “champion” in their respective area, ranging from beef cattle entrepreneurship to safety to agriscience research and everything in between.

Chapter banquet season is in full swing for Illinois FFA and will continue strong through the end of the school year.

State officers help celebrate local FFA accomplishments throughout the state at these chapter banquets, where state officers often present speeches and interact with members.

Recognizing local members, celebrating community leadership and engaging in FFA chapter spirit continues to be a highlight of the year.

The majors attended their final Youth Education in Agriculture Committee meeting with Illinois 4-H State Youth representatives.

During the first day of the two-day event, the youth leaders engaged in networking sessions and meetings with Illinois Farm Bureau employees and the IFB family of companies.

In addition to this meeting, planning commenced for the 2025 Premier Chapter Award Tour sponsored by IFB and chaperoned by YEA leaders.

Tickets for this trip are awarded to students from Illinois FFA chapters that win National Chapter Award premier chapter designations.

Briefly stepping away from the bustle of Illinois FFA, the majors, staff and select convention helpers traveled to Gatlinburg for the Tennessee FFA State Convention.

While this was a fun trip that provided some downtime, pens went to paper during sessions, brainstorming discussions were held each night and new ideas traveled nine hours home.

Tennessee’s convention was an incredible opportunity to watch state officer friends give retiring remarks onstage, interact with Illinois’ own Thaddeus Bergschneider with his new title as National FFA president and enjoy a convention that Illinois FFA could fully be present in and view from a guest’s perspective.

The Smoky Mountain Tops turned to conference table tops with middle school students as the state officers returned to Illinois and took on the last of “Mission: Connect.”

Leadership conferences at Sauk Valley Community College and Lincoln Land Community College included 223 students and finalized the 2024-2025 state leadership development series which saw a total of 2,714 students this year — a 15% increase over record-high attendance during the previous year.

A critical part of “Mission: Advocate” was accomplished through the 2025 Ag Legislative Day, made possible by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

A total of 652 Illinois FFA members, 25 section presidents and five major state officers advocated for FFA and ag education by sharing their stories with state representatives, senators, the speaker of the house and other government officials.

A “sea of blue” was previewed to Springfield with this powerful experience, but the rest of the ocean is still on the way.

June 10-12 is expected to bring an approximate 6,000 blue jackets, parents, advisers and supporters to the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield for the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention, otherwise known as “The Final Mission.”

Before members are to accomplish this last task, crucial filming, scripting, resourcing and practices all take place behind the scenes at the FFA Center.

The future forecast is hopefully more accurate and relaxed than recent weather predictions and includes state contests, the end of chapter and section banquets and convention preparation through the middle of June.

The lion of March never left.

Sidney Stiers from the Williamsfield FFA Chapter is the 2024-2025 Illinois Association FFA state reporter.