SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The 98th Illinois FFA State Convention, with the theme of “Sparking Your Future,” hosted more than 5,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests from June 9-11. The event was held at the downtown Bank of Springfield Center. 

Students at the convention were greeted with activities that included a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses along with opportunities to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The highlight of the convention came with the election of the 2026-2027 State Officer Team on Thursday morning, June 11. The officers were installed immediately following the election and will serve the Illinois Association FFA for the next 12 months.

Bryer Nelson of the Canton (Fulton County) FFA and Collin Johnson of the Franklin (Morgan County) FFA were elected as president and vice-president, respectively. Also elected to state officer positions were Haven Cash as reporter, Owen Rigg as secretary, Levi German as sentinel and Lane Perry as treasurer.

Cash, 17, hails from Clay City (Clay County) and the North Clay FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Dustin and Lisa Cash and a 2026 graduate of North Clay High School. “As a state officer (reporter), I will share my experiences to prove to members that they, too, can accomplish whatever they wish,” she said. “As long as they put faith into their drive, determination, and ability to achieve, they will succeed not only in FFA but also in life.”

Rigg, 17, of Dahinda (Knox County) and the Williamsfield FFA Chapter, is the son of Kent and Jill Rigg and a 2026 graduate of Williamsfield High School. “Being a state officer is an opportunity to invest fully in the journey of others,” said Rigg of being elected Illinois FFA State Secretary. “I am committed to elevating members’ voices, strengthening chapters, and promoting the values that make this organization exceptional.”

Elected as treasurer, Perry, 18, of Marshall (Clark County) and the Marshall FFA Chapter, is the son of Justin and Angie Perry and a 2026 graduate of Marshall High School. “As a state officer, I will be a helping hand and positive force at events hosted throughout the year,” said Perry. “I also want to connect with members and be there to congratulate them as they reach the goals they’ve set for themselves.”

German, 18, of Nokomis (Montgomery County) and the Nokomis FFA Chapter, was elected as sentinel. He is the son of Jared German and Jodi German and a 2026 graduate of Nokomis High School. “Serving as a state officer will allow me to broaden my horizons and go beyond just helping members with contests,” German said. “I want to guide them through their own lives, their futures, and their own paths of leadership in FFA.”

Convention sessions featured addresses by National FFA Central Region Vice President Claire Woeppel and each of the retiring major state officers. June 10 sessions were highlighted by State and Honorary FFA degrees being conferred, Discovery Stars celebrated, and  Illinois Foundation FFA supporters recognized for their significant financial contributions and total years of giving. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to long-time Foundation champions and former State FFA Presidents Gene Schwarm (1973-1974) of Loogootee and Boyd Schaufelberger (1975-1976) of Greenville.

2026 Stars Over Illinois recipients were Ryker Beckmier, Taylorville FFA, State Star Farmer; Molly McCalla, Staunton FFA, State Star in Agricultural Placement; Toby Williams, Stark County FFA, State Star in Agriscience; and Kolton Wiley, Sullivan FFA, State Star in Agribusiness. 2026 Illinois Discovery Stars were Grant McCalla, Staunton FFA, Discovery Star Ag Placement; Kabrey McDaniel, Olympia Middle FFA, Discovery Star Agriscience; Kelton Walter, Athens Middle FFA, Discovery Star Agribusiness; and Westin Poynter, Sycamore FFA, Discovery Star Farmer. 

In addition, nearly 70 chapters and individuals were recognized for top teams or as high individuals in 37 different state Career and Leadership Development Events for both high school and middle school chapters. With 40 chapters recognized as national finalists, Cambridge FFA was named chapter of the year. Staunton FFA, Mount Vernon FFA, Goreville FFA, and Bureau Valley FFA rounded out the top five chapters and Cambridge Middle FFA was named the state discovery chapter of the year, according to information provided by the Illinois FFA Center and Farm Credit Newsroom.