As the annual Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade kicks off Thursday, you’ll see state FFA officers as the Grand Marshals for the parade.  Agriculture education is growing in the state. Since Governor Pritzker announced in 2022 that every student in the state of Illinois taking an agriculture class would have their FFA dues paid, FFA membership increased from 23,000 to over 41,000 members. An additional 5,500 students not enrolled in agricultural education courses also joined FFA.

Pritzker said it’s important to make agricultural education more accessible for all young Illinoisans, because “they are the young minds who will grapple with and solve the challenges of tomorrow.”

These FFA leaders represent the future of agriculture in Illinois,” said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director. “I am proud to have ag education grow immensely over the past two years, including in our urban communities providing young adults opportunities in our state’s number one industry.”

The Grand Marshals:
President Thaddeus Bergschneider- Franklin FFA
Vice President Eric Wisely- Nashville FFA
Reporter Cooper Nelson- Canton FFA
Secretary Riley Kessler- Staunton FFA
Treasurer Benjamin Bremmer- Pearl City FFA

The 2023 Twilight Parade will start at Lincoln Park at 5:30 p.m. and head east down Sangamon Avenue before turning onto Main Street on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The parade will follow Main Street then turn right onto Illinois Avenue before dispersing after the firehouse.