September 15, 2017

The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) recently donated a total of $10,000 to Illinois FFA chapters throughout the state in support of the Beef Production Entrepreneurship and Beef Production Placement Supervised Agriculture Experience program areas.

Each of the ten chapters in Illinois that were home to a Beef Production Entrepreneurship and Beef Production Placement district winner received $1,000 in an effort to provide FFA members the opportunity to grow into leaders, build their communities, and strengthen agriculture through experiences in the beef industry. Those chapters are Eureka FFA, Flanagan-Cornell FFA, Farmington FFA, Windsor FFA, Central at Breese FFA, River Ridge FFA, Clifton Central FFA, Bushnell-Prairie City FFA, Unity-Tolono FFA, Goreville FFA.

“At IBA, we appreciate the important role that FFA plays in educating and encouraging the youth in our state to explore careers in beef production and agriculture,” said IBA President Joni Bucher. “Investing in local FFA chapters is a great way to help them meet their mission. We are honored to be a part of what they do and the future of the beef industry looks bright based on these talented young people.”

The donation was made possible by the Illinois Beef Checkoff, a program that directs funds to initiatives that drive youth education and producer profitability or specifically promoting Illinois-raised beef.

“When beef producers in Illinois voted in February of 2015 to restart the Illinois Beef Checkoff with an 88% yes vote, helping support the youth of our industry was on their minds. In fact, the Illinois State Checkoff has made possible a number of new efforts never before possible in Illinois including significant dollars for local beef promotions and production research plus increased funding for consumer advertising,” said IBA Executive Vice President Reid Blossom.