By Andi Anderson
The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters have announced plans for their 2026 Annual Meeting and Auction. This event will take place on January 23–24, 2026, at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield.
Members, supporters, and chapters from across the state are invited to participate in two days of learning, celebration, and fundraising for FFA programs.
Registration for the event is now open, with the hotel room block available until January 2, 2026. Attendees may choose from several registration options, including the full conference package or single-day meal plans.
The annual meeting is designed to promote leadership, recognize outstanding service, and support scholarships for high school FFA members.
Chapters attending the event are encouraged to take part in the Scholarship Chapter Contribution Contest by bringing a themed basket or contribution linked to the State FFA Theme “Spark.” These items will be judged on January 23 before being auctioned. Chapters whose items raise at least $225 will have a chance to earn a 2026 Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Scholarship.
The two-day agenda includes an awards banquet, dinner, silent and live auctions, district caucuses, and workshops. Sessions will feature topics such as chapter presentations, idea sharing, alumni panel discussions, and information about tax-exempt status. The event will close with the business meeting and luncheon.
Award winners for 2025–26 include outstanding alumni members, top-performing alumni chapters, and newly formed or reactivated alumni groups. Chapters with the highest numbers of lifetime members and new life members were also recognized for their dedication and growth.
Another major highlight is the 2026 John Deere XUV 845M Gator Raffle. Sponsored by John Deere, this raffle will officially begin at the Quad Cities Farm Show from January 18–20, 2026.
Any FFA chapter or alumni group may sell tickets, and the winning ticket will be drawn at the 2026 Illinois State FFA Convention. Chapters that sell winning tickets will earn cash prizes, and all chapters will receive a 40% rebate for fundraising purposes.
The Illinois FFA encourages all chapters to participate by attending the annual meeting, supporting the auction, and helping promote student scholarships across the state.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle