Thaddeus Bergschneider has been elected as the 2024-2025 National FFA President. Bergschneider currently serves as the 2023-2024 Illinois FFA State President and is pursuing a degree in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The Franklin, Ill., native is the first Illinois student to lead the national organization in three decades.
“I was excited and completely shocked,” he said in an interview. “I ran on that stage and there was nothing on my mind but ‘wow’ and then I ran into the arms of my incredible teammates. Then a wave of joy and gratitude just hit me — it hit me like a truck.”
Bergschneider was elected on Oct. 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.
“I love farm work, but I also love books. I love research and am kind of a nerd and introvert when it comes to that area. I didn’t see myself pursuing agriculture,” Bergschneider said in an interview. “I saw myself pursuing business. My dad told me, ‘Thad, join FFA.’ He made me put on his jacket and go to an ag sales contest and try out creed speaking. Then all of a sudden I was hooked.”
In his role as president, Bergschneider will work alongside 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, he received his American Degree at the convention, the highest honor achievable by an FFA member — a distinction earned by only 1% of members nationwide.
“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,” College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero said in a release.
Bergschneider is studying agricultural and consumer economics with a concentration in finance in agribusiness. In addition, he 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 pursuing internships at agricultural companies that challenge him to make a difference.
“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 in a release. “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.”
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