The Directors Cup presented by the Farm Credit Illinois cooperative board celebrates young and beginning farmers committed to continuous learning and intentional living for a brighter future for their farm family business and community.

These three young farming couples from central and southern Illinois are the 2025 FreshRoots Directors Cup honorees.

• Colten & Colby Collier of Anna began farming in 2009 as third-generation farmers. Colby works on the farm full-time and Colten works on the farm part-time while also taking on a role off the farm as a livestock production specialist. The Colliers raise beef cattle, silage, and hay in Union County.

  “It is an honor to receive the Directors Cup and be recognized for our work. We really appreciate the relationship we have with the people at FCI and the support they’ve provided,” says Colten and Colby.

• Josh & Hannah Sawyer of Oakley began farming in 2016 as first-generation farmers. Josh works full-time on the farm and Hannah teaches agriculture while also contributing to the farm and raising their two sons. The Sawyers raise cattle, corn, soybeans, hay, and wheat in Macon County.

  “The FreshRoots program has been invaluable as it’s helped us build our cattle-producing dream. It is a big honor to be chosen for this award,” says Josh and Hannah.

• Eric & Morgan Wolff of Effingham began farming in 2020 alongside Eric's brother on their third-generation dairy farm. Eric farms full-time and Morgan works off the farm at a local ag cooperative while raising their son. The Wolffs raise dairy cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa in Effingham County.

  “We’re so thankful for every opportunity we’ve been given through FCI. We wouldn’t have been able to pick up on the farm without the FreshRoots program,” says Eric and Morgan.

Hear more from the recipients themselves:

Collier

Sawyer

Wolff

Cooperative members were selected by a panel of seven industry representatives including one FCI board member based on a combination of each applicant’s unique farm beginnings, personal and business aspirations, and vision for their farm business and community.

“Supporting the next generation is a top priority for our cooperative,” says Steve Hettinger, FCI Board Chair and Champaign County farmer. “The Board of Directors commends these young leaders for their dedication to lifelong learning and intentional living as they strive towards a brighter future.”

The Directors Cup award is part of the FreshRoots young and beginning farmers program, which provides lending assistance and learning incentives to farmers up to age 40 or in their first 10 years of farming.

“FCI is committed to cultivating personal growth and professional development for young and beginning farmers,” says Kelly Hunt, FCI CEO. “The FreshRoots Directors Cup is one tangible example of FCI’s dedication to Helping the Next Generation of Farm Families Succeed.”