How a County Fair Queen Represents Agriculture Across Illinois

The Crown, The Calling, and the Connection to Agriculture

When most people think of a county fair queen, they picture a crown, a sash, and a moment on stage. But for 2026 Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips, the title represents something much bigger.

As a student at the University of Illinois and a former Effingham County Fair Queen, Krista now serves as an ambassador for agriculture across the state. Her role takes her far beyond the stage traveling to county fairs, attending events, and connecting with people from all walks of life to share the story of agriculture.

“Agriculture is a way of life,” Krista explains. “Even if you didn’t grow up on a farm, it impacts you every day.”

That belief drives her passion for education, especially at a young age. Inspired by her family and programs like Ag in the Classroom, Krista sees early exposure as key to helping people understand where their food comes from and why agriculture matters.

Her journey to the crown wasn’t instant. After competing for several years, Krista says finding confidence in herself made all the difference. “Once I learned to just be genuine and comfortable in who I am, everything changed.”

Now, she’s using that confidence to connect with audiences across Illinois from farmers and legislators to students who may have never set foot on a farm.

Through it all, Krista is helping bridge the gap between agriculture and everyday life one conversation at a time.

As she puts it best: being a fair queen means you can “harvest attention and plant curiosity” wherever you go. Watch the full episode of IL Corn TV to hear more from Krista.