Jersey Community FFA honored at State Convention

By Editor | June 25, 2025 |

Ashlen Scott was conferred with the State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition. (Submitted photo)

Pictured left to right in the Farm Credit Newsroom: Tucker Woolsey and Traven Hahn. (Submitted photo)

Pictured left to right in the Farm Credit Newsroom: Ben and Melissa Poletti, parents; Caitlyn Poletti, recipient; Sarah Nichols, advisor. (Submitted photo)

Members of the Jersey Community FFA chapter attended the 97 th annual Illinois FFA State Convention June 10-12 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2025 theme of “The Final Mission,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.
During the convention, the following awards were presented to Jersey Community FFA:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Ashlen Scott was conferred with the State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
Equine Science Placement State Proficiency Winner: Caitlyn Poletti was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science – Placement. Caitlyn is the daughter of Ben and Melissa Poletti. She is a member of the Jerseyville FFA Chapter, advised by Sarah Nichols. For her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Caitlyn has three projects, but only two are active. For the first active project, she takes riding lessons and assists with training horses at Rocky Branch Riding School. She works with horses of various breeds and ages, using multiple tack and training techniques. Her second project is her summer job as a wrangler and camp counselor at Camp Ondessonk in the Shawnee National Forest. Her daily activities include feeding the herd of about 40 horses, tacking up the horses, teaching campers the basics of horse riding, and working with project horses and donkeys.
Foundation $4,000 Club Award: The chapter was recognized for coordinating a local campaign for the Illinois Foundation FFA which raised at least $4,000.
Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider of Illinois and from each of the retiring major state officers.

About Illinois
Association FFA
The Illinois Association FFA is part of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America. 36, 874 students are enrolled in 385 FFA chapters in the State of Illinois. FFA is a national youth organization of 1,027,273 student members with a mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ilaged.org for more information.

About the Illinois Foundation FFA
Illinois Foundation FFA engages individuals, industry, education, government, and foundations in securing funds to support quality agricultural education and FFA programs in Illinois, including providing awards at the State FFA Convention. To learn more and become involved, visit www.illinoisffafoundation.org.

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