Items in this listserv:
HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:
HOT, HOT, HOT - How HOT you ask??? SUNBURN HOT - So HOT you gotta get the aloe from the fridge HOT.
Cheering on our National Finalists this year - 2025 National Finalist Selection Results
Illinois FFA August Board Report - click here for the highlights.
Seeds of Honor at the Farm Progress Show - don’t miss this opportunity.
Illinois FFA Center is CLOSED on Monday, September 1, 2025 - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
****NEW Information****
Illinois FFA Who Do You Call
Illinois FFA 100th Anniversary Memorabilia Submission Form
IL FFA Center CLOSED for Office Cleanout & Calendar Day
2025 - 2026 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2025
Belonging & Engagement
The CHS Foundation is investing in teachers and students
Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Directory Available
1. Illinois FFA Center - Who Do You Call?
As you are kicking off your school year, we know you may be swamped with questions for us at the FFA Center. We hope this document will help direct you to the right person at the FFA Center to call for the answers to your questions. Please know that you can call any one of us at any time and we will direct you to whoever can best assist you, but we hope this guide may be helpful.
2. Illinois FFA 100th Anniversary Memorabilia Submission Form
As the Illinois FFA at 100: Strong Roots, Bright Futures committee continues planning for our centennial celebrations, we are seeking memorabilia from past FFA members, officers, advisors, and friends of FFA.
The mission of our Collect and Preserve Subcommittee is to gather historical items and stories from across Illinois to create a special museum exhibit honoring the rich history of Illinois FFA. This exhibit will be showcased throughout our 100th year, from Spring 2028 through Summer 2029.
If you have items you’re willing to share, you may either donate them to Illinois FFA or loan them temporarily — all loaned items will be returned after the celebration. By letting us know what’s out there, we can ensure our display reflects the breadth and depth of our shared history.
📋 Click here to complete the form to let us know about your memorabilia.
We welcome questions and conversations with any friends or family of Illinois FFA who would like to talk more about preserving and sharing these treasures.
3. IL FFA Center CLOSED for Office Cleanout & Calendar Day
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the FFA Center, it is Office Cleanout Day! It’s a favorite day around here, but more importantly, one of our most important days for the upkeep of our building, materials, and supplies, not to mention sanity. We also take time to set the calendar for the next 18 months, so it’s a busy and productive day. Please be patient with us, and leave a message; we will get back to you as soon as we are available.
REMINDER - September 24, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED, Office Cleanout Day
4. 2025 - 2026 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2025
Just like in previous years, you can submit your Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre POA) in any format that your FFA chapter prefers. The only requirement is that it is submitted electronically and received by the Illinois FFA Center by October 1, 2025.
The Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre POA) is a minimum standard requirement for Section E of the Incentive Funding Grant Application (IFGA). You must submit a Chapter Strategic Plan ( Pre POA) by October 1, 2025, to receive any credit in Section E of the IFGA.
The FFA Chapter can use any format they prefer, but all plans received must be sent electronically. NO paper copies are needed.
Steps to Complete the 2025 Chapter Strategic Plan Process:
ALL FFA Chapters MUST Click here
ALL FFA Chapters MUST Answer the first 5 questions of the form.
EITHER upload your own plan OR complete the form you have opened, created by the Illinois FFA Center.
ALL Chapters MUST open this form REGARDLESS of what format you choose to do your Chapter Strategic Plan in.
Here are the Questions on the Chapter Strategic Plan form.
Questions, email mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Please click here for Chapter Strategic Plan instructions.
DISCLAIMER - If your school does allow access to uploading to Google Forms, please email your Chapter Strategic Plan to intern@illinoisffa.org by October 1, 2025.
There is NO NEED for emails or any other correspondence for submitting the Chapter Strategic Plan.
As a reminder, the Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre-POA) is due October 1, 2025.
Because everything is submitted electronically, it is dated when you complete the form, there is NO need to send this to your Section President or anyone else, simply print a copy of it for your records.
Have a GREAT year accomplishing your goals!
5. Belonging & Engagement
Belonging is important, from Brené Brown, author of “The Gifts of Imperfection”, writes, “Of this, I am certain. After collecting thousands of stories, I’m willing to call this a fact: A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all women, men, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we are meant to. We break, we fall apart, we numb, we ache, we hurt others. The absence of love and belonging will always lead to suffering.” Reading this passage resonated with me as the core goal of the EDI Task Force is to further develop the sense of belonging for all FFA members, and in any instance where it does not, help to create belonging.
This group started in the Fall of 2020, it includes students/FFA members and adults/advisors who have a passion for making sure everyone in FFA feels valued and included. This group has helped to provide professional development for teachers and helped shape the activities in the Cultivating Conversations room at the State Convention. It is the goal of this group to welcome FFA members and teachers from large schools, small schools, Urban FFA chapters, and Rural FFA chapters; all voices are needed. Teachers, would you consider joining the task force? Or would you consider encouraging your students to participate? Please click here to sign up for the committee. We will have our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. Click here to view the agenda for the day and future meeting dates.
6. The CHS Foundation is investing in teachers and students
The CHS Foundation will award $50,000 in grants to teachers in 18 states to bring big ag education ideas to life in rural communities. Projects like implementing a new ag program or class, upgrading equipment, operating a school farm or more will be considered for funding. Tell us about your important, inspiring projects in communities where CHS employees and farmer-owners live and work.
Written and video submissions will be accepted until Sept. 1, 2025. First place will be awarded $20,000 second place will receive $15,000 and third place will receive $10,000. Two additional honorable mentions will be selected and each receive $2,500.
The top three finalists will travel all expenses paid to the CHS Annual Meeting Dec. 4-5, 2025, held in Minneapolis, Minn., to present their idea to a live audience and attendees will cast their vote for first, second and third place via live voting. Full details can be found by visiting https://www.chsinc.com/stewardship/teacher-grants.Together, let’s make an even bigger impact in the lives of your students.
Questions? Contact us at stewardship@chsinc.com.
7. Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Directory NOW Available.
Visit www.ilaged.org and scroll to the Important Links at the bottom to find the
teacher directory. It is available as a spreadsheet or as a pdf that includes photos,
school names, teacher names, and email addresses.Questions can be addressed to Jennifer Waters at jwaters@ilaged.org
**** PREVIOUS Information Shared - WORTH Sharing Again****
PREVIOUS LISTSERVS - CLICK HERE to view - 2025 - 2026 School Year
PREVIOUS LISTSERVS - CLICK HERE to view - 2024 - 2025 School Year
CLICK HERE to view - the 2023 - 2024 School Year Previous Listservs
*Please NOTE that clicking on Dates & Deadlines will take you to the www.ilaged.org calendar.
August 22 -September 1, 2025- DuQuoin State Fair, DuQuoin, IL
August 22, 2025 - DuQuoin State Fair Parade
August 25, 2025 - DuQuoin Farm Follies, DuQuoin State Fair, DuQuoin, IL
August 29, 2025- IL FFA Center Closes at 2:30 p.m. for the Holiday
September 1, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday
September 8, 2025 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
September 9, 2025 – District V STAR Conference - Southern Illinois University - Agriculture Building, Room 209, 1205 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale
September 9, 2025 – District IV STAR Conference Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938
September 9, 2025 - District V Greenhand Conference & COLT, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901
September 10, 2025 - WIU Greenhand Conference, Western Illinois University, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455
September 11, 2025 - District III STAR Conference, John Wood Comm College; John Wood Community College, 37803 St Hwy 104, Baylis, IL 62314
September 11, 2025 – District II STAR Conference - Joliet Junior College - Main Campus, U Building, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431
September 12, 2025 – District I STAR Conference - Black Hawk College - Vet Sciences Center, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, Galva, IL 61434
September 13, 2025 - Special Accommodation Form DUE for State Forestry CDE
September 13, 2025 - Early Bird Registration ENDS for State Forestry CDE
September 15, 2025 - Virtual IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
September 15 - 19, 2025 - Chapter Visits - Sections 5, 18, 20
September 19, 2025 - Elite Conference, Heartland Community College, Normal
September 22 - 26, 2025 - Chapter Visits - Sections 4, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24
September 24, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED, Office Calendar/Cleanout Day
September 25, 2025 - 100th Committee Meeting at the Illinois FFA Center, Springfield, IL
September 27, 2025 - State Forestry CDE, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901
September 29 - October 3, 2025 - Chapter Visits - Sections 10, 12, 14, 16, 17
October 1, 2025 - FFA ROSTERS DUE
October 1, 2025 - 2025-26 FFA Chapter Strategic Plan DUE
October 1, 2025 - IL FFA Alumni and Supporters Letter of Intent DUE
October 1, 2025 - Early Bird Registration ENDS for State Land Use CDE
October 1, 2025 - Special Accommodation Form DUE for State Land Use CDE
October 6, 2025 - Illinois Foundation FFA Board Meeting, Illinois FFA Center, Springfield, IL
October 6, 2025 - Illinois FFA State Officer Team Virtual Meeting at 3:30 p.m.
October 6, 2025 - Illinois FFA State Delegate Training for National FFA Convention at 6:30 p.m.
October 6 - 10, 2025 - Chapter Visits - Sections 2, 6, 9, 11, 25
October 7, 2025 - National Convention Prep Day, IAA Building, Normal, IL
October 8, 2025 - IAVAT Board Meeting, Illinois FFA Center, Springfield, IL
October 13, 2025 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED
October 14, 2025 - IL FFA Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL
October 15, 2025 - State Land Use CDE, Black Hawk Collge, Galva, IL
October 16 - 17, 2025 - IACCAI Conference, Parkland College, Champaign, IL
October 21, 2025 - 100th Committee Virtual Meeting at 3:30 p.m.
October 23, 2025 - PAS Fall Conference Registration ENDS
October 27, 2025 - LLCC Fall Middle School Conference Registration & Food Allergies Form ENDS
October 29 - November 1, 2025 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN
October 31, 2025 - IAVAT & NAAE Dues DUE
October 31, 2025 - Richland Comm. College - Fall Middle School Conference Registration & Food Allergies Form ENDS
November 1, 2025 - Administrators' Approval of FFA Rosters DUE
November 3, 2025 - Belonging & Engagement Virtual Meeting at 3:30 p.m.
November 3, 2025 - Alumni WLC & Ground Zero Scholarship Applications and Letter of Recommendations DUE
November 5, 2025 - 100th Committee Virtual Meeting at 3:30 p.m.
November 6, 2025 - Virtual IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30-5:00
November 8, 2025 - IL FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield
November 8, 2025 - State Ag Education, Ag Sales, and Job Interview LDEs, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
November 11, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday
November 10, 2025 - BUILD Conference Registration & Food Allergies Form ENDS
November 10, 2025 - Fall Middle School Conference, LLCC, Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL
November 13, 2025 - Fall PAS Conference, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, Normal, IL
November 14, 2025- Fall Middle School Conference, Richland Community College, 1 College Park, Decatur, IL
November 17 - 21 , 2025 - Chapter Visits - Sections 1, 3, 7, 8, 19
November 24 - 25, 2025 - BUILD Conference, ISU, Bone Student Center, Normal
November 26, 2025 - IL FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m.
November 27 - 27, 2025- IL FFA Center Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
December 12, 2025 - 100th Committee Virtual Meeting at 3:30 p.m.
December 23, 2025 - Illinois FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. for Christmas/New Year’s Holiday
December 24-1, 2026 - IL FFA Center Closed for the Holidays
-- Mindy Bunselmeyer
Illinois FFA Center
Phone: 217-753-3328
Cell: 217-412-5646
Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702