SHERIDAN, Ill. – On Oct. 9, 2024, the Yorkville Christian FFA, an 80-member chapter, celebrated winning the 2024 Rock the Crop sweepstakes with a concert by country music star Hailey Whitters.

Whitters was the Academy of Country Music’s 2023 new female artist of the year, and has been nominated for a Grammy. The concert was sponsored by Firestone Ag, a business of Bridgestone Americas. This was the third year for the sweepstakes – advisers were invited to enter their FFA chapters. The tag line for the event was, “The farm tire brand that unites music, agriculture and education – celebrating 80 years of partnership with the FFA Organization.”

The winner of the sweepstakes received Firestone Ag tire education and celebrated with a private concert by Hailey Whitters. The 2024 concert was held at Spirit Farms, owned by Michelle and John Stewart. The two founded Yorkville Christian School in 2014. The school is only one of five private schools in Northern Illinois with an FFA chapter. Michelle Stewart serves as the Yorkville Christian FFA Chapter adviser. Spirit Farms is a 4,500-acre corn and wheat operation outside Sheridan. More details about Spirit Farms can be found at www.spiritfarms.com.

Whitters grew up in Shueyville, Iowa, near Cedar Rapids. “My grandpa was a sod farmer, and my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Phil had cows, donkeys and crops,” the country singer shared. “I just had dreams to chase country music. I grew up on 90s country music like Alan Jackson and I love to sing.”

Although mainstream country music tends to overlook the Midwest, Whitters prides herself on representing her roots. Her new album, Raised, is about people she grew up with. “I’m homegrown and country and proud to be from the Midwest, I’m very proud to represent it.”

Going for a ride in a combine during her visit with Maggie Stewart, one of Michelle and John’s three daughters that work on the farm, Whitters got a bit of harvest experience. 

FFA members were at the event including Grace Voitick, a senior at Yorkville Christian School. She is the president of the Yorkville Christian FFA. She was excited about her chapter winning the sweepstakes. “Michelle Stewart, the owner of this property, and our adviser entered us to in the Rock the Crop contest. No one thought we would win, then a few weeks later we found out we had won.”

At the event, Voitick said, “We have 30-40 kids and parents and Stewart employees. Many are in our FFA chapter.”

Voitick added, “I’m from Sherwood, Ill. I grew up there, I’m not from a farm or ranch. I joined FFA my sophomore year.”

While not a farm girl, Grace Voitick participates in high school rodeo. She competes in poles and barrel racing – speed events. “I take lessons, I joined rodeo my 8th grade year, and in 8th grade, I got a horse. ACE, he is 8 years old, he’s just a baby.”

Her love of animals is shown in her plans. “I want to be an equine dentist, or an animal nutritionist.”

Henry Fox, a high school junior, and vice president of the FFA chapter, loves working the rodeo concessions and hopes to eventually work in the trucking industry. “The people are the best thing about the FFA,” Fox said.

Gloria Caples, the Bridgestone manager, was part of the group focusing on the Rock the Crop concert. Working with the FFA, she said “With FFA, we are honoring heroes and celebrate what they do and the next generation of farmer’s coming up.”

This is her third year working with the sweepstakes and local winners. She said, “Each time we come, we get to know the families and it is a great experience every year.”