Illinois Agricultural Education

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HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

HOT, HOT, HOT - How HOT you ask???  SUNBURN HOT - So HOT you gotta get the aloe from the fridge HOT.  

• CARE document you can print if you are collecting paper copies.  

• 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

• Cheering on our National Finalists this year - 2025 National Finalist Selection Results - 2025 National FFA Band, Chorus and Talent Announced

****NEW Information****

1. Harvest for All Program is back for the 2025–2026 

2. FFA Member Huddles at Farm Progress Show

3. Agricultural Law Mentorship Series

4. Mike Builta Memorial jacket program

1. Harvest for All Program is back for the 2025–2026 

Hello Agriculture Teachers!

We’re excited to share that the Harvest for All Program is back for the 2025–2026 academic year! This program highlights and recognizes the impact FFA chapters make in their communities through service, donations, and volunteer work. 

To see how chapters were celebrated at last year’s State FFA Convention and learn about the program, check out this short video here.

Program Overview
Harvest for All is championed by the American Farm Bureau and led in Illinois by the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee. The program is all about finding a need, filling a need, and giving back to your community, whether hosting a food drive, volunteering, fundraising, or other service projects. 

As of 2023, all community service efforts can be counted for Harvest for All, not just those related to fighting food insecurity!

Tracking & Submissions
To align with the American Farm Bureau’s tracking system, submissions will be collected by semester. However, if your chapter wants to submit a form after every individual activity, you’re welcome to do so; we’ll add them together on the back end for your totals. Or you’re welcome to submit one as soon as your efforts are complete for the tracking period.

Semester Tracking Periods:

• May 1 – Dec. 31, 2025 | Form Due Jan. 1, 2026

• Jan. 1 – Apr. 30, 2026 | Form Due May 1, 2026

Rules & Scoring
From May 1, 2025 – Apr. 30, 2026, chapters will track:

• Dollars donated

• Pounds of food collected

• Hours volunteered

Scoring:

• 1 point = 1 volunteer hour

• 1 point = 10 lbs. of food donated

• 1 point = $10 donated

* A minimum of 10 cumulative points is required for recognition.

Application
Advisors will submit the JotForm with the following for each Harvest for All event:

• Date of event

• Organization supported

• Dollars donated

• Pounds of food collected

• Volunteer hours

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on either Jan. 1 or May 1 (depending on the tracking period).

Awards & Recognition
Following final submissions by May 1, 2026, the top FFA chapters in each section and across the state will be recognized.

• Section Winners – Recognition at State FFA Convention

• State Winners:

  • 1st Place – Recognition + $200

  • 2nd Place – Recognition + $175

  • 3rd Place – Recognition + $150

  • 4th Place – Recognition + $125

  • 5th Place – Recognition + $100

If you have questions about the program or application, please contact youth@ilfb.org. We can’t wait to see the creative ways your chapters will impact their communities this year!

Taylor Hartke | Illinois Farm Bureau, Youth & Collegiate Program Coordinator, (309)-557-2834 | thartke@ilfb.org

2. FFA Member Huddles at Farm Progress Show

Thanks again, Illinois and Indiana FFA, for participating in the state officer panels during the daily FFA MEMBER HUDDLE at Noon on each day of the Farm Progress Show.

• TUE: Jenna Lawler, Kaitlyn Maruszewski, and Jesus Santa from Indiana, and Ethan Bremmer, Koben Tate, and Kaydance Wooton from Illinois

• WED: Kyle Bradshaw, Ethan Bremmer, Natalie Pratt, Paige Sierens, Koben Tate, and Kaydance Wooton from Illinois

• THU: Kyle Bradshaw, Ethan Bremmer, Natalie Pratt, Paige Sierens, Koben Tate, and Kaydance Wooton from Illinois

The Huddles are scheduled to last 30 minutes, and we’ll give every FFA member (from any state) an FFA keychain and a chance to win one of two $50 cash prizes at the end of each Huddle. You’re welcome to either share the following info with your respective chapters, or we can send out an e-blast to advisors if you think that’d be more effective. Let us know how we can best help promote the daily FFA MEMBER HUDDLES to your chapters.

3. Agricultural Law Mentorship Series

The Students and Young Professionals Committee of the American Agricultural Law Association has scheduled a second session as a part of our Mentorship Series, created specifically for high school students curious about a future in law, especially agricultural law. This session will feature a panel of speakers who will share their advice on:

• Choosing majors and courses in college

• Getting involved in meaningful extracurricular activities

•  Building skills that prepare you for law school and beyond

This session will take place on Sunday, September 14th, starting at 5:00 pm CST. Interested students can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IfhuIHI9QWeCZ8KeiRao2w#/registration. The QR code on the attached flyer also links to the registration link.

4.  Mike Builta Memorial jacket program

The GROWMARK Foundation is teaming up with Illinois FFA and the family of Mike Builta to provide 25 jackets to Illinois FFA students to honor the legacy of long-time employee Mike Builta, who passed away unexpectedly in 2019.

The GROWMARK Foundation has provided 150 jackets to Illinois FFA members over the last six years. FFA members are asked to answer the question “What does the FFA jacket mean to you?” and share the main goal they wish to accomplish as an FFA member. The Builta family reviews student submissions and chooses 25 students to receive the jacket, a scarf, or a tie, along with a memorial FFA/GROWMARK pin with Builta’s name.

This year a special gift, a backpack, will be included from the GROWMARK Student Recruiting team.

The application is now open and closes on September 14, 2025. All Illinois FFA students who have yet to purchase a jacket are encouraged to apply.

Mike Builta was raised on a family farm near Bellflower, Illinois. He was an active FFA member and lifelong supporter of agricultural education. He held GROWMARK System management roles at Christian County Farmers Supply Company in Taylorville, Illinois, and GRAINCO FS in Ottawa, Illinois, before becoming GROWMARK vice president of Energy and Logistics in 2018.  Please click here to open the application.  

Questions:  Contact Sabrina Burekieicz - sburkiewica@growmark.com

**** 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

New Information:

• 2025-26 CDE Calendar and General Information

*Please NOTE that clicking on Dates & Deadlines will take you to the www.ilaged.org calendar.  

• 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, Agricultural Complex, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL

• 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 - 2024-25 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 10, 2025 - State Job Interview LDE Results DUE

• 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 East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, 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 24, 2025 - State Food Science CDE Mandatory Registration ENDS

• October 24, 2025 - Special Accommodation Form DUE for State Food Science CDE

• October 24, 2025 - State Job Interview LDE Materials DUE

• October 25, 2025 - State Ag Sales Results DUE

• October 25, 2025 - State Ag Ed Lesson Plans DUE

• October 27, 2025 - LLCC Fall Middle School Registration & Food Allergy Form ENDS

• October 29 - November 1, 2025 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• October 31, 2025 - IAVAT & NAAE Dues DUE

• October 31, 2025 - Richland College Fall Middle School Registration & Food Allergy 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 - IL FFA Alumni WLC & Ground Zero Conferences Scholarship Applications & Letter of Recommendations from Teachers 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 7, 2025 - State Food Science CDE, Joliet Junior College, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 

• 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 22, 2025 - Mandatory Registration for State Dairy Foods CDE ENDS

• November 22, 2025 - Early Bird Registration ENDS for State Agronomy CDE

• November 22, 2025 - Special Accommodation Form for State Dairy Foods & State Agronomy CDEs DUE

• November 24 - 25, 2025 - BUILD Conference, Illinois State University, Bone Student Center, 200 N University St, Normal, IL

• November 26, 2025 - IL FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m.

• November 27 - 28, 2025- IL FFA Center Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

• December 8, 2025 - Agricultural Skills Showcase Written Reports DUE

• 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