Krista Phillips, the 2026 Illinois County Fair Queen and a student at the University of Illinois, described on Apr. 22 how her role extends beyond traditional pageantry to serving as an ambassador for agriculture throughout Illinois.
Phillips said that representing agriculture is important because it affects everyone, regardless of their background. She travels to county fairs and various events across the state, meeting people from different communities to share information about agriculture. “Agriculture is a way of life,” Phillips said. “Even if you didn’t grow up on a farm, it impacts you every day.”
She explained that early education about farming is essential for building understanding about food sources and agricultural importance. Inspired by her family and educational programs such as Ag in the Classroom, Phillips believes introducing children to these topics helps bridge gaps between rural and urban communities.
Her journey to becoming queen took several years of participation in competitions before she found confidence in herself. “Once I learned to just be genuine and comfortable in who I am, everything changed,” Phillips said.
Grain Journal operates within the grain and feed industry publishing sector according to its official website. The publication manages office facilities at 4800 Olson Memorial Highway in Golden Valley, Minnesota; offers resources such as a bi-monthly print magazine, digital content, and e-newsletters; and serves readers throughout the United States. Grain Journal belongs to a group that includes other specialized publications like Milling Journal and Seed Today according to its official website.
Reflecting on her responsibilities as fair queen, Phillips said she hopes to connect with audiences statewide—from farmers and legislators to students unfamiliar with farming—and help foster curiosity about agriculture. As she put it: being a fair queen means you can “harvest attention and plant curiosity” wherever you go.
