How IL Corn’s FFA Partnership Is Building the Next Generation of Ag Advocates

For Illinois FFA State Vice President Collin Johnson, the IL Corn Marketing Board’s long-standing partnership with Illinois FFA is about more than a check. It’s an investment in people.

“At the end of the day, we’re youth agriculturalists,” said Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer from Morgan County. “Them putting in not only the money, but the time and the effort, is really what impacts us the most.”

One of the biggest opportunities the partnership provides is a trip to Washington, D.C., for Corn Congress. State officers and section presidents watch how national decisions get made. They also meet with other groups while in D.C. and share a professional dinner with IL Corn board members.

“I was absolutely blown away by that opportunity,” Johnson said. “Having that dinner with the board members was one of my favorite experiences, just getting to listen to their stories about what it’s like on the farm and how they’re helping farmers back home.”

Johnson said the experience showed him how decisions made in Washington and Springfield affect farmers every day, and how effectively board members represent their fellow farmers back at home.

The partnership also supports Illinois FFA with practical resources, including a fleet vehicle, logo polos, and state convention t-shirts.

Johnson said seeing the impact firsthand has shaped how he views the checkoff. “I’ve seen firsthand that money is going into really great places,” he said. “If I get into the family farm, it’s definitely something I’ll support, because I’ve seen how it’s impacted me.”

He’s quick to point out that he isn’t alone. Hundreds of FFA section presidents and state officers have had the same opportunities over the years.

“They’re not there because they’re told to,” Johnson said. “They’re there because they’re passionate about what they do, and they want to share that knowledge with us so our generation is a little better prepared.”

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