Thaddeus Bergschneider, an undergraduate student in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been elected as the 2024-2025 National FFA President. Bergschneider, who is pursuing a degree in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, currently serves as the 2023-2024 Illinois FFA State President and hails from Franklin, Illinois. He is the first Illinois student to lead the national organization in three decades.

“When they elected me, just pure shock and pure joy of wow, they want Thad Bergschneider to lead this organization and be a part of the six people that are going to shape this organization’s future,” Bergschneider told FarmWeek of what was going through his mind the moment his name was announced as president.

Bergschneider was elected on October 25 at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, where he was selected from a pool of 37 candidates. As National FFA President, he will represent and lead more than a million FFA members across the country, working alongside a dedicated team of five other officers to drive the organization’s mission of developing future leaders through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization includes more than 9,000 local chapters across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As president, Bergschneider will interact with business and agricultural leaders, FFA members and teachers, government officials, and education partners. He will also lead personal growth and leadership training conferences across the nation and help set policies that guide the future of the National FFA Organization. 

Additionally, at the convention, Bergschneider received his American Degree, the highest honor achievable by an FFA member — a distinction earned by only 1% of members nationwide.

College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero commended Bergschneider on his remarkable achievement, stating, “Thaddeus embodies the core values of our college and the spirit of agricultural leadership. His dedication to serving others and his drive to elevate the future of agriculture make him an outstanding choice for this role. We are tremendously proud of him and look forward to empowering him to do this important work.”

Bergschneider is studying agricultural and consumer economics with a concentration in finance in agribusiness. In addition to his studies, Bergschneider remains involved with his family’s farm, JP Bergschneider Farms, which cultivates corn and soybeans and raises cattle and turkeys. He plans to continue learning about agriculture, economics, and business strategy with the goal of taking on internships at agricultural companies that challenge him to make a difference and create a tangible impact. 

“I am proud not only to take on this role but to represent the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of ACES across the country," Bergschneider said. “From my short time in Mumford Hall, I already feel a deep sense of pride in our college and want to share with FFA members how we can be a part of their academic success. I remember fondly what got me to join ACES in the first place — speaking with ACES leadership at the State Fair Barnyard and feeling inspired to join the Illinois tradition."