KEYNES, Ill. — Illinois State FFA President Adam Loker grew up on a 1,400 acre row crop farm in Wayne County in southern Illinois, an experience that planted the seeds for what he would later call a “fantastic” FFA journey. Loker wants aspiring members to know that today’s FFA is about much more than farming, and that no student ever makes their FFA journey alone. 

“The reason I got into FFA was because of my older brother Isaac. He joined FFA and went to all of the conferences and the national convention and he absolutely loved it,” said Loker, who graduated from Wayne City High School District #100 in May. 

“When I was a freshman the very first thing I signed up for was FFA, and from my very first FFA events I also loved it. What I found out then and what I have now learned even more today is that everything I do in FFA is all about the people. It’s the people that you surround yourself with that really matter.”

Loker was elected as the Wayne City FFA Chapter reporter his freshman year, which launched his leadership career. He continued as chapter reporter his sophomore year, before becoming chapter president during his junior and senior years. As Wayne City FFA President during his senior year, Loker ran for the position of one of Illinois State FFA’s 25 section officers. 

During his year as section officer Loker, then officially a “minor” state officer, began working closely with the Illinois FFA Major State Officer Team. He served as a group leader at conferences, facilitating leadership workshops and helping to prepare for the state convention and banquet. Including 2020’s virtual gathering, 2021 will mark Loker’s fifth national convention. He will lead Illinois’ 13 state delegates at this year’s national convention, while overseeing one of six convention leadership committees as a sentinel. 

“This will keep me very busy at this year’s convention,” said Loker, who will attend Southern Illinois University as an agribusiness-economics major in the fall of 2022, following his year off of school as Illinois State FFA president. 

Loker’s illustrious FFA career wouldn’t have been possible, he conceded, without a lot of help and guidance along the way. “I’ve had a ton of influences. My great grandmother on my mom’s side was one of the charter members of the Wayne City FFA, so she had a big role in how FFA started in our town. Once I got into FFA I had many influences, including then-state president (2017-2018) Joey Birrittier,” Loker recalled. 

“I met (Birrittier) at the 212 Conference for freshmen and sophomores. Being able to sit down and talk to him and have dinner with him made me realize what a genuine, good guy he is. He became a huge influence in me wanting to pursue leadership roles.”

Another influence was Lane Harvey, a friend of Isaac’s from nearby Fairfield who preceded Adam as Section 23 president by two years. Harvey later served as Illinois State FFA Vice President in 2019-2020. Loker’s interactions with Harvey provided the extra boost he needed to aim higher in his career FFA leadership goals. 

Loker’s list of FFA influences and friendships goes on: “Miriam Hoffman, who is now serving as the national eastern regional vice-president, was the Illinois state secretary in 2018-2019 and she came to my school to make chapter visits. She gave a keynote speech at our section’s leadership training conference and I was able to talk to her at those events and connect with her. It’s those connections I have with all of those state officers, and with pretty much every FFA member I’ve ever come in contact with, that drive me to this day.”

Loker said one of the best things about FFA is how everyone, it seems, becomes totally involved and immersed in projects and assignments as a single unit, creating personal bonds that last a lifetime while attaining valuable leadership skills including teamwork and selflessness.

“Every single person really cares, from the freshmen I’ve met this year at chapter meetings and events I’ve gone to, to my days at leadership camp, everyone really cares about what they are doing. They have a passion for FFA and really for the ag industry, and that’s really great when you think about the future of Illinois agriculture. It is in good hands with people who are passionate about what they are doing,” he said.   

Loker, now in the final year of his FFA journey, has some advice borne of experience for high school freshmen and sophomores who are on the fence about whether or not to commit to the organization. 

“Join FFA and sign up for everything you can, even if you know nothing about it. I signed up for horse judging and I’m going on three years now. I knew nothing about horses and had never ridden a horse, but by my senior year I got fourth place in horse judging. That was really rewarding to be able to see that growth and to achieve that, and it ended up being a good skill to have,” Loker said, adding:

“While you are at these events that you sign up for, meet new people, make new friends. This is the very best thing you are going to do, and one of the most important things you will do within FFA. Premier leadership, personal growth and career success within agricultural education is the mission of FFA.”