What does it take to be a queen and an ambassador for Illinois agriculture?

IL Corn TV host Shane Gray talks with Krista Phillips, the 2026 Illinois County Fair Queen. Krista shares her journey from pageants to public speaking, how she connects with FFA students and legislators, and what it means to “harvest attention and plant curiosity.” She also reflects on building confidence, advocating for ag education, and inspiring the next generation of farmers.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 – Introduction
0:30 – Krista’s background & pageant journey
1:40 – Representing Illinois agriculture as County Fair Queen
3:05 – Networking & public speaking insights
5:10 – Overcoming challenges & building confidence
7:00 – Advocating for agricultural education
9:15 – Harvesting attention & planting curiosity
10:10 – Not To Be Corny

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