SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Geneseo FFA chapter attended the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention June 10-12 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2025 theme of “The Final Mission,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.
During the convention, the following awards were presented to Geneseo FFA:
State Winner Horse Evaluation (with reasons) Career Development Event
The chapter was recognized for winning the state Horse Evaluation CDE, which requires team members to evaluate and rank horses based on breed characteristics, conformation, and performance. Participants also provide oral reasons to describe and defend their placings.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom photo (from L to R): Annabelle Betcher, Jacey Gehl, Bailey Koning, Dawsyn McDonald
Human and Public Services State Supervised Occupational Experience Award Winner
Bella Bailey was selected as the 2025 State FFA Supervised Occupational Experience (SOE) Award Winner in Human and Public Services. Bella is the daughter of Mark and Brooke Bailey. She is a member of the Geneseo FFA Chapter, advised by Jacqueline Wetzell. For her SOE, Bella works at a local after-school program called Safe. Each shift, she supervises up to 20 children, ranging in age from 5 to 12. She designs and implements lesson plans based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) criteria, leads and supervises children as they play games and interact with each other, and ensures clear communication with her boss, co-workers, and students. Bella has learned leadership, public speaking, collaboration, and communication skills, which will prepare her for a career in the agricultural industry.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom photo (from L to R): Mark and Brooke Bailey, parents; Bella Bailey, recipient; Jacqueline Wetzell, advisor
National Chapter Award Finalist
The chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall.
Pictured above in the Farm Credit Newsroom photo (from L to R): Emerson Swan and Kenzie Krug
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 President Thaddeus Bergschneider of Illinois and from each of the retiring major state officers.
About Illinois Association FFA
The Illinois Association FFA is part of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America. 36,874 students are enrolled in 385 FFA chapters in the State of Illinois. FFA is a national youth organization of 1,027,273 student members with a mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ilaged.org for more information.
About the Illinois Foundation FFA
Illinois Foundation FFA engages individuals, industry, education, government, and foundations in securing funds to support quality agricultural education and FFA programs in Illinois, including providing awards at the State FFA Convention. To learn more and become involved, visit www.illinoisffafoundation.org.