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Illinois’ Gracie Murphy elected to National FFA Officer Team

Illinois’ candidate for National FFA office was elected to serve as the Eastern Region Vice President during the organization’s 95^th convention over the weekend.  

“It is so surreal! It is unbelievable to think that I am actually standing here wearing this jacket right now.”

Gracie Murphy of the Macomb FFA Chapter tells Brownfield she is a first generation FFA member.

“So, for me, FFA was really the only thing I had that was my own. I didn’t have older siblings in FFA, I didn’t have parents forcing me to do it, it was my own thing and I was able to create my own path through the organization.”

Murphy says she gained mentors through FFA that care about her success both in and out of the blue jacket.

“I think that is what is so unique about this organization. We are not just preparing kids for successful futures in the blue jacket or even in the ag industry, we are preparing kids to be successful in whatever they want to do in life.”

She shares what she is most looking forward to in the coming year.

“I love listening to people’s stories and backgrounds and where they come from so I am really looking forward to getting to talk to so many members nationwide and getting to travel the nation talking to ag leaders, legislators, and teachers to get to know what makes FFA so special.”

Murphy is a freshman at Southern Illinois University studying ag systems and education with hopes of returning to the organization as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. She served as the 2021-2022 Illinois FFA State secretary.