SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hundreds of Illinois’ best and brightest youth gathered at the Bank of Springfield Center for the 95th Illinois FFA Convention. The convention, with the theme Electrify, concluded on Thursday, June 15 following the election of 2023-2024 major state officers and an emotional farewell to past leadership.

The following individuals were elected to major state office:

• President: Thaddeus Bergschneider of Franklin (Morgan County); Franklin FFA Chapter

• Vice President: Eric Wisely of Oakdale (Washington County); Nashville FFA Chapter

• Reporter: Cooper Nelson of Canton (Fulton County); Canton FFA Chapter

• Secretary: Riley Kessler of New Douglas (Madison County); Staunton FFA Chapter

• Treasurer: Benjamin Bremmer of Pearl City (Stephenson County); Pearl City FFA Chapter

Growing up on a traditional grain and cattle farm in a village of 500 people, Bergschneider raised turkeys for his FFA supervised agricultural experience (SAE). Following his election, Bergschneider told Farm World his year in office would be devoted to uniting all sectors of agriculture and moving the industry forward. He will resume his education next year at Purdue University, studying agricultural economics. 

“Purdue is a great school and I really love finance and policy, and that route in agriculture is where I want to head,” said Bergschneider, 18, who remains uncommitted to his specific choice of future occupation. “I’m looking forward to internships and job shadowing, because you never really know what you want to do until you actually do it.”

The son of Paul and Janie Bergschneider and a 2023 graduate of Franklin High School, Bergschneider said, “Being a state officer means having opportunities to give hope, encouragement, and purpose to members from all backgrounds and circumstances. I want to be able to help them shape their life, goals, and aspirations.”

Eric Wisely, 19, of Oakdale (Washington County) and the Nashville FFA Chapter, was elected vice-president. He is the son of Jimmy and Denise Wisely, a 2022 graduate of Nashville Community High School and presently enrolled at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale studying agricultural education.  

“As a state officer, I want to be real with members and assure them that capable leaders are not flawless people,” Wisely said. “I want to prove to members that inconveniences can be opportunities in disguise and help them reach their full potential.”

New FFA State Secretary Riley Kessler said she hopes to study agricultural education following her year in office. For now, however, she said she would just take some time to enjoy her year in state office after “dreaming” of being elected for years. “I’ve always looked up to the state officers and I’m just so happy to be here,” she said. “Maybe I can be the person who compels another person to become more active in FFA, like they have done for me. I can’t wait to build those personal connections with every single member that I can.”

Kessler, 18 hails from New Douglas (Madison County) and the Staunton FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Michael and Lisa Kessler and a 2023 graduate of Staunton High School.

Benjamin Bremmer, 18, of Pearl City (Stephenson County) and the Pearl City FFA Chapter, was elected as State FFA Treasurer. The son of Chad and Deborah Bremmer and a 2022 graduate of Pearl City High School, Bremmer is enrolled at Highland Community College studying agriculture business. 

“For our organization to grow, we need to adapt and change as the world around us progresses,” Bremmer says. “But we also need to preserve our roots to keep us grounded as individuals. As a state officer, I want to help members find their passion in the FFA and grow as leaders and individuals.”

As the son of an educator, new State Reporter Cooper Nelson also hopes to study agricultural education in college. The FFA Section 12 president said he’s felt a call to leadership since serving on his Canton middle school student council. Whatever the leadership role, Nelson said he is ready to embrace it. 

“The state reporter’s job is to keep everyone in the loop as to what great things are happening in FFA,” Nelson said. “Illinois FFA has gained a lot of new members, so I’m excited to see how that impacts us on a national level. We’ve been ‘affiliated’ now, so it’s exciting that we’re going to have more representation at the national level and conference.”

According to a FFA State Convention Newsroom news release, the five officers were elected from a group of 10 candidates selected by a committee in late April. Each officer puts their collegiate pursuits on hold for one year as they serve the Illinois Association FFA. Officers typically travel more than 20,000 miles visiting FFA chapters around the state, conducting workshops and meetings, representing Illinois FFA in professional settings, and promoting agricultural education. Since 1929, Illinois has elected a State FFA Officer Team.

The 95th annual Illinois State FFA Convention hosted more than 5,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests from June 13-15. 

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 Eastern Region Vice President Gracie Murphy of Illinois and from each of the retiring major state officers.