Illinois State Fair Governor's Sale of Champions highlights partnership with College of ACES
Yesterday, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced the winners of the Sale of Champions at the 2025 Illinois State Fair — the premier auction showcasing the top livestock exhibited by Illinois 4-H youth. Through a new partnership with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 80% of the meat from these award-winning animals will be processed by ACES’ Meat Science Laboratory and donated to food banks through Feeding Illinois.
“These young exhibitors represent the best of Illinois agriculture — skill, dedication, and a commitment to excellence,” said IDOA Director Jerry F. Costello, II. “Through this partnership with the College of ACES, their achievements will have a lasting impact by helping to feed families in need across Illinois.”
The remaining 20% supports education, research, and public outreach through the college’s meat sciences program, where students gain hands-on experience in meat processing, food safety, and product development.
Winning exhibitors are invited to tour the Meat Science Lab facility, observe processing, and see firsthand how their work supports food security. They may also have their animals’ hides processed as keepsakes and are recognized at the college’s annual Celebrate Food and Ag Day.
Sale of Champion exhibitors are members of Illinois 4-H — the youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, housed in the College of ACES — where they gain hands-on experience in animal husbandry, leadership, and service.
"We are so proud of our 4-H youth and their successes,” said Kevin Carey, interim assistant dean and director of 4-H. “Their hard work and dedication within the agricultural industry continues to create the next generation of youth who are ready for work and life!"
The Grand Champion and Land of Lincoln Champion animals are sold to the highest bidders, with proceeds supporting both the exhibitors (who often use the funds for education or reinvest in livestock projects) and agricultural youth programs like 4-H and FFA.
This year, Carey purchased the Grand Champion Dairy Goat Milk, and the College of ACES purchased the Champion Chihuahua Cheese — underscoring the college’s commitment to supporting youth and celebrating Illinois agriculture. Proceeds from champion processed meats products support ACES’ meats judging program and Sleeter Bull Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the meat industry.
“This effort reflects the land-grant mission in action — connecting the achievements of Illinois youth with service to the broader community,” said Anna Dilger, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. “We are proud to enhance student learning, support Illinois agriculture, and help address food insecurity — a win for our students, our industry, and our state.”
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
About Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.