At this year’s Illinois State Fair, a new generation of livestock exhibitors showcased their skills and dedication, and CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, stepped in to support their educational journeys. The company awarded $5,000 scholarships to each Grand Champion livestock exhibitor and $1,000 scholarships to each Illinois 4-H Skillathon champion, reinforcing its commitment to fostering young talent in agriculture.
These scholarships are part of CME Group’s broader initiative to invest in the next generation of market participants, helping them learn to manage agribusiness risk throughout their careers. Over the past decade, CME Group, which offers benchmark agriculture markets across grains, oilseeds, and livestock, has contributed more than $500,000 to advance the education of young Illinois farmers and ranchers. This year’s awards underscore the company’s dedication to supporting the future of the agricultural industry.
“The rising generation of agricultural producers represents the future of the industry, and it is a privilege to support these students as they build their skills and knowledge,” said John Ricci, Global Head of Agricultural Products at CME Group. “Agriculture is at the heart of what we do at CME Group, and we are committed to investing in those who will feed our communities for years to come.”
The 2026 Grand Champion scholarship recipients, hailing from various counties across Illinois, include Austin Ater (Champaign County), Brenna Dryer (Woodford County), Kashen Ellerbrock (Henry County), McKlay Gensini (County), Ike Heckman (Putnam County), Eva Lansaw (Morgan County), Payton McKittrick (Pike County), Ashley Wiegan (Woodford County), and Wyatt Zehr (Livingston County). These young exhibitors demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment at the fair, earning recognition for their achievements.
In addition to the Grand Champion awards, CME Group recognized the Illinois 4-H Skillathon champions with $1,000 scholarships. The winners include Macie Bartlow (McDonough County), Evan Beal (Clinton County), Will Deters (Cumberland County), Addison Duis (Menard County), Emersyn Harms (Woodford County), Claire Kuipers (McLean County), Caiden Littiken (Clinton County), Calum Shanks (Christian County), and Reagan Shike (Mercer County). These students excelled in the Skillathon competition, which tests their knowledge and practical skills in livestock evaluation, nutrition, and management.
The scholarships not only reward individual achievement but also highlight the importance of education in agriculture. As the industry faces challenges such as climate change, market volatility, and the need for sustainable practices, investing in young people who will become future farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness leaders is crucial. CME Group’s contributions help ensure that these students have the resources they need to pursue their education and contribute to the agricultural sector.
This initiative reflects CME Group’s broader mission to support the agricultural community. By providing financial assistance to these young exhibitors, CME Group is helping to cultivate a skilled workforce that will drive innovation and productivity in agriculture for years to come.
