Illinois Agricultural Education

Items in this listserv:

ALWAYS HERE: includes information that remains relevant from week to week. New updates are added as needed.

• Illinois FFA Board Reports

• Illinois FFA 100th Anniversary Memorabilia - Click here to complete the form

HOT TOPICS = MUST KNOW

• HOT, HOT, HOT - Carolina Reaper HOT -  BUILD Conference registration is DUE Monday, November 10, 2025. Click here for more information.  

• HOT, HOT, HOT - Fry an egg on the sidewalk HOT - Middle School & BUILD Conference Teacher Assistance NEEDED!   Click here to sign up to serve as a conference teacher assistant. Upon selection, credits will be applied to chapter invoices.

• SPICY - GREAT FLAVOR - GOOD TO BE REMINDED:  With the Holidays coming up, here’s a good REMINDER - Harvest for All Program is back for the 2025–2026 - 8/26/2025 Listserv

• HOT, HOT, HOT - Golden Owl Award Nominations DUE November 15, 2025.

  For more information and to nominate a teacher, click here.

• HOT - OFFICE CLOSED - November 26, 2025 - IL FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. November 27 - 28, 2025- IL FFA Center Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.  

• Luke Warm - Here is the Illinois FFA Center HOLIDAY office schedule: December 23, 2025 - Illinois FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. for the Christmas/New Year’s Holidays and CLOSED - December 24, 2025, to January 1, 2026 for Christmas/New Year’s Holiday. FFA Center is open on Friday, January 2, 2026.  

• TEMPERATE - meaning MILD or MODERATE - neither HOT nor COLD but when it gets HOT it’s HOT- American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures  - AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The Intent to Apply form is MANDATORY and DUE on January 5, 2026.  BIG ITEM to DOUBLE CHECK - Student EMAIL that is in their profile - DO NOT have an old high school email address they no longer have access to.  Please ensure they update their email address prior to completing the American FFA Degree application. 

• ALSO TEMPERATE:  but when it gets HOT it’s HOT, so don’t let your student procrastinate - National FFA Scholarship Application is NOW LIVE - DUE January 15, 2026.  Apply today!

****NEW Information****

1. CONGRATULATIONS, Illinois FFA - 98th National FFA Convention FULL Results

2. 2026 State Officer Parent & Candidate Officer Orientation

3. Illinois Farm Bureau Top President Award Applications

4. Maschhoff Impact Grant Program

5. Illinois FFA Center Staff Recognized

1.  CONGRATULATIONS, Illinois FFA - 98th National FFA Convention FULL Results

The 98th National FFA Convention and Expo has concluded in Indianapolis, with Illinois FFA members getting some well-deserved recognition. Numerous Illinois members and chapters were on stage to carry home hardware and a lifetime of memories.  Click here to view the list of the final rankings for Illinois FFA at the 98th National FFA Convention.  

TOP HONOR:  

Illinois FFA Celebrates Two National Star Winners!

Congratulations to Nevin Erbsen, named the National Winner for the American Star in Agricultural Placement, and Blake Twenhafel, named the National Winner for the American Star in Agribusiness!

This is an extraordinary honor and a true testament to the dedication, skill, and leadership of these outstanding young men. The American Star Awards represent the highest individual achievement within the National FFA Organization, recognizing members who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), leadership, and community involvement.

Having two of the four National Star Winners from Illinois is a historic and remarkable achievement — showcasing the strength, quality, and impact of Illinois agricultural education and FFA programs.

Illinois FFA is incredibly proud of Nevin and Blake for their hard work, innovation, and commitment to excellence. They represent the very best of Illinois FFA, and we celebrate their success on the national stage! 

National Chapter Award WINNER: 

Congratulations to the Cambridge Middle FFA Chapter on being named the National WINNER for Middle School Model of Excellence!

Proficiency Award WINNERS: 

Congratulations to Molly McCalla of the Staunton FFA Chapter for being a National Proficiency WINNER for Sheep Production!

Congratulations to Tucker Snook of the Cambridge FFA Chapter for being a National Proficiency WINNER for Turf and Landscape Maintenance!

Congratulations to Mason Riebe of the Tri-Point FFA Chapter for being a National Proficiency WINNER for Vegetable Production!

Agriscience Awards: 

We had several in the Top 10, click here to see all results.  

Career Development Events: 

Congratulations to Micha Lanz, Prairie Central FFA Chapter, on being named the National WINNER in the Farm & Agribusiness LDE!

We had several in the Top 10, click here to see all results.  

Honorary American FFA Degree Recipients from Illinois: 

American FFA Degree:  

Congratulations to our Illinois FFA members who have earned the American FFA Degree.  Click here to view the 2025 American FFA Degree recipient list.  National Finalists this year -  2025 National FFA Convention FULL Results 

Congratulations and Thank You, Thaddeus Bergschneider!

Illinois FFA is incredibly proud of Thaddeus Bergschneider and the remarkable year he has had serving as National FFA President. Thad has represented the National FFA Organization with grace, professionalism, and heart—bringing warmth, wisdom, and genuine connection to every member, advisor, and supporter he’s met along the way.

His personable nature, humble leadership, and passion for people have left a lasting impact on the FFA community nationwide. Illinois FFA is beyond proud of the way he has represented both our state and the blue and gold jacket on the national stage.

As he begins his next journey in life, we wish him all the very best.

Thank you, Thad, for an amazing year of leadership, inspiration, and service.

Illinois FFA is so proud of you!

2.               2026 State Officer Parent & Candidate Officer Orientation

FFA members with their State FFA Degree interested in running for Major State FFA Office, their families, and their FFA Advisors are invited to attend the Candidate-Parent Major State Officer Orientation.  The Candidate and Parent Orientation is on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The Candidate/Parent Orientation meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to conclude by 3:30/4:00 p.m. It will be held at the Illinois FFA Center, located at 3221 Northfield Drive, Springfield, IL 62702.  The orientation meeting is not a mandatory event, but it is very important for you and your family to be informed about your next steps and to feel comfortable with the process.

Please RSVP for the candidate orientation. Click here to RSVP to attend the 2026 Parent & Candidate Orientation.  

3.               Illinois Farm Bureau Top President Award Applications

Applications are now open for the Top 10 FFA Section Presidents and FFA Chapter President awards. This is a great opportunity for these Presidents to showcase their hard work and accomplishments from the 2025 - 2026 school year. Please encourage your Presidents to apply for these awards! For more information on each award, please view the attachments.

FFA Section and Chapter President Application

Top 10 Section President Award

• Deadline: March 9, 2026

Chapter President Award

• Deadline: April 10, 2026

                        Please contact youth@ilfb.org with any questions.

4.               Maschhoff Impact Grant Program

A number of grants are available for local communities, students, and FFA Chapters through the IMPACT Program. Be sure to check them out as you plan for your upcoming events.

5.                Illinois FFA Center Staff Recognized

Illinois FFA is thrilled to recognize Lori Copsy, Patti Davis, and Tammy Yard of the Illinois FFA Center as recipients of this year’s Perry Schneider Special Recognition Award! This honor celebrates their exceptional dedication, service, and impact on agricultural education and FFA programs across Illinois.

They will be formally recognized at the ILCAE Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Central Illinois Ag facility. Illinois FFA is proud to celebrate their outstanding contributions and commitment to FFA and agricultural education. 

*** PREVIOUS Information Shared - WORTH Sharing Again****

• PREVIOUS LISTSERVS - CLICK HERE to view - 2025 - 2026 School Year

Information for 2025-26:

• State CDE/LDE Event and Registration Instructions

• All Conference Event Information, Flyers, Required Forms, Registration Information

• 2026 State FFA Convention Room Blocks

• 2025-26 Calendar of Events: All events, including board meetings, conferences, conventions, registration deadlines, etc.

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