By Andi Anderson
The Governor’s Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair once again highlighted the achievements of outstanding youth livestock exhibitors from across Illinois.
The annual event brings together young competitors, their families, agricultural organizations, and industry supporters to recognize dedication, responsibility, and excellence in livestock exhibition.
A major highlight of the event was the continued support shown by Governor JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker.
For the seventh consecutive year, they purchased the Grand Champion Steer with a contribution of $105,000. The champion animal will be donated to Feeding Illinois, helping provide nutritious food to families in need through food bank distribution programs.
The event celebrates the effort and commitment demonstrated by young exhibitors throughout the year. Speaking about the importance of the program, Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said, “Every champion showcased at this sale represents countless hours of dedication, discipline and commitment from these young exhibitors. The Governor’s Sale of Champions gives us an opportunity to celebrate these accomplishments while helping our young people build a future in agriculture. These exhibitors are the agricultural leaders of tomorrow.”
The sale also provides financial benefits for participants. Both Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion exhibitors receive a share of the proceeds generated from the sale of their animals.
Many students use these funds to support their college education, while others reinvest the money into future livestock projects and agricultural activities.
Support for youth development extended beyond the animal sale. CME Group contributed $50,000 to the 2026 Governor’s Sale of Champions scholarship program. The funding will help provide scholarships worth $5,000 each, encouraging students to continue their education and pursue careers connected to agriculture.
The Governor’s Sale of Champions is organized through a partnership with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Following the event, champion livestock are processed by the Department of Animal Sciences’ Meat Science Laboratory, and the meat is donated to Feeding Illinois member food banks.
Programs such as Illinois 4-H and Illinois FFA also play an important role in developing leadership, responsibility, and practical skills among young people. Through hands-on experiences and agricultural education, these organizations help prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders while supporting the growth of rural communities across the state.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle