2025 FFA STARS OVER ILLINOIS HONORED DURING THE 

97th ANNUAL ILLINOIS FFA STATE CONVENTION

The Illinois Star Awards were announced Wednesday, June 11, 2025, during the 97th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention, Bank of Springfield Center, Springfield, IL.  

Illinois Star Awards honor the Top 4 FFA members who have developed the organization’s most outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their Supervised Agricultural Experience, demonstrated outstanding management skills and earned the State FFA Degree – the Illinois Association FFA’s highest degree of membership. Eligible FFA members must also have met other agricultural education, scholastic, and leadership requirements.  A special thank you to Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones for speaking and presenting these prestigious awards.

Star in Agriscience State Winner:

Kade Boatman was selected as the 2025 State Star in Agriscience Winner. Kade is the son of Tom and Tammy Boatman. She is a member of the Unity-Tolono FFA Chapter, advised by Eric Tryggestad. His research project focuses on finding heritability patterns with the scur gene in Hereford cattle. He researched 85 total calves in this year's calf crop.  The data he collected proved that animals with the nub trait are more likely to pass the scur gene onto the next generation.  He looks forward to continuing this project in the future with his next goal being to design a DNA test for the gene.  This will not only better his own herd but the Hereford breed as a whole. 

Star in Agricultural Placement State Winner:

Reed Naughton was selected as the 2025 State Star in Agricultural Placement Winner. Reed is the son of Dan and Amy Naughton. He is a member of the Olympia FFA Chapter, advised by Bryce Hoffman. For his Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), he  has spent 4 years working for Naughton Auction Service and TimberCrest Land and Cattle, as well as two years working for Naughton Angus.  With Naughton Auction Service, he has worked over 25 sales in the equipment and livestock industry. He has learned the Auction Industry from the ground up and worked with hundreds of people.  At Timbercrest, he has helped manage their 40 cow herd and learned all aspects of raising cattle in the show industry. Naughton Angus has provided him with the production side of the beef industry while working in their 50 cow Angus herd raising replacements and market cattle. All of this life and work experience has helped shape him into who he is today and he is grateful for the opportunity to work in the agricultural industry everyday for these great people.

Star in Agribusiness State Winner:

Taylor Crouch was selected as the 2025 State Star in Agribusiness Winner. Taylor is the Daughter of Jeremy and Cassie Crouch. She is a member of the Maroa-Forsyth FFA Chapter, advised by Cassie Crouch. Her two unique Agribusiness SAEs have allowed her to explore business management, pricing strategies, and marketing. Her CF Supplies business buys wholesale conditioner, soap, and oil for numerous species that she profits from and sells to livestock exhibitors nationwide. She has a business relationship with HogFathers, a business out of Tulsa Oklahoma, and has learned how to run a competitive business model for them in Illinois. Her second SAE is Petals and Blooms floral design where She creates designs for weddings, school events, funerals, and many more. She buys flowers wholesale from Bill Doran Supply Company out of Springfield Illinois, and retail her designs out of her home around the state. 

Star Farmer of Illinois State Winner:

Tucker Beckmier was selected as the 2025 State Star Farmer of Illinois. Tucker is the son of Craig & Michelle Beckmier. He is a member of the Taylorville FFA Chapter, advised by Megan Beckmier, Charley Dammerman, and Sue Schafer. For his Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), his Sheep Production SAE includes owning and operating a flock of 39 purebred ewes and whether dams in order to produce offspring that can be either shown competitively or sold for breeding stock. In his market replacement SAE, he prepares sheep for shows and works hard to add elite replacements to his flock. In his forage production SAE he grows and manages a 7 acre field of hay for livestock feed as well as selling hay and straw to customers in the area. He has focused on improving forage quality to maximize profit and meet the nutritional needs of his sheep operation.

2025 Quiz Bowl State Champion - Congratulations to the River Ridge FFA Chapter.