ISU Agricultural Marketing Student Brings Passion and Purpose to IL Corn Spring Internship

From county fair queen to ag advocate, one student’s path comes full circle

Johnna graduated high school with plans to pursue dental hygiene, but after her first year at Black Hawk College, life had something else entirely in store for her, something she never could have predicted. 

Being crowned the 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen changed everything. 

Suddenly, Johnna found herself traveling the state as an advocate for Illinois agriculture, visiting up to 32 county fairs, representing agriculture statewide. What started as a role became a calling — a seed planted by God that sprouted into a fiery passion she couldn't ignore. 

Johnna changed her education track to agricultural marketing and is now a junior at Illinois State University, channeling that passion into every corner of her academic and professional life. She has taken on the role of 2026-2027 ISU Collegiate Farm Bureau President, holds a public relations position with ISU's National Agri-Marketing Association, and will spend the summer of 2026 interning with Illinois Farm Bureau. A girl who once had small ties to agriculture is now deeply rooted in it and still growing. 

This spring, she added another experience to that growing list — time spent interning and job shadowing with IL Corn. 

Johnna has been coming into the IL Corn office once a week to see how a real-world office truly runs. From sitting in on staff meetings/conversations with leadership to diving into the day-to-day work that keeps an organization like IL Corn moving forward, she has experienced firsthand the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Illinois corn farmers supported and represented. That experience left a lasting impression.

“Interning at IL Corn truly opened my eyes to how much work goes into advocating for Illinois farmers beyond the farm gate. Sitting in on policy discussions and learning about foreign trade and waterway infrastructure made me realize that agriculture isn’t just about what’s grown in the field; it’s about the people, the politics, and the pipelines that get it to the world. I came in eager to learn, and I’m leaving with a clearer sense of purpose than I’ve ever had.” — Johnna Fulcher



Throughout her time, Johnna approached each day with curiosity and intention by asking questions, engaging in conversations, and soaking in every opportunity to learn. What started as a shadowing experience quickly became something more meaningful: a clearer vision for her future in agriculture. 

What's Next 

Johnna’s journey is just getting started. 

This summer, she’ll continue building on her experiences through her internship with Illinois Farm Bureau, carrying with her a stronger understanding of the industry and the role she wants to play in it. 



And if her time at IL Corn is any indication, her impact won’t stay behind a desk — it will be felt across the fields, communities, and conversations that shape the future of Illinois agriculture.