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
TOPICS = MUST KNOW
EXPLOSION - Are your students’ names not appearing in JudingCard? This is because the CARE Forms are not completed. The student must watch the video, or the parent must sign the CARE Form. These must be completed as soon as possible. If you send a paper form home for parents to sign, you must have the student enter your email address for the parents’ email, and then you sign as the parent, since you have the physical copy on file. Student Instructions
ON FIRE - HOT, HOT, HOT - GROUND ZERO Conference Teacher Supervisors NEEDED - Click here to sign up to serve as a conference teacher assistant. Upon selection, credits will be applied to chapter invoices.
SCORCHING - HOT, HOT, HOT - Ground Zero Registrations Closing: Wednesday, January 14, 2026-Northfield #2; Friday, January 16, 2026-SIU, Carbondale; Monday, January 19, 2026-JJC #1; Tuesday, January 20, 2026-JJC #2; Thursday, January 22, 2026-WIU, Macomb Registrations Close. Please complete the Food Allergies Form by these dates.
SCORCHING - HOT, HOT, HOT - National FFA Scholarship Application is DUE January 15, 2026. Apply today!
SCORCHING - HOT, HOT, HOT - January 15, 2026 - American Degree Applications DUE
Getting Warmer - 2026 State Officer Parent & Candidate Officer Orientation - Please RSVP for the candidate orientation. Click here to RSVP to attend the 2026 Parent & Candidate Orientation on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Getting Warmer - 2026 Illinois FFA Selection Committee - GREAT opportunity for your students - 12.2.2025 listserv
LUKE WARM - Section President Candidate Orientation and Mandatory Survey - 12.2.2025 listserv
LUKE WARM - National Chapter Award - DUE April 1, 2026, and MUST be SUBMITTED.
LUKE WARM -Illinois Farm Bureau Top President Award Applications - 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.
****NEW Information****
January FFA Board Report
2026 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Interview Schedule
Sam Taylor Scholarship Application - DUE March 1, 2026
Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE April 1, 2026
Honorary Illinois FFA State Degree Nominations/App DUE April 1
Reporter Award Applications
National FFA Officer Request Form
Will Cook Memorial Scholarship
Ireland Ag Tour Opportunity for FFA Members
Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference Registration
January FFA Board Report
Click here for the January FFA Board report from the Board meeting on Friday, January 9, 2026.
2026 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Interview Schedule
Please click here to review the 2026 American FFA Degree Interview schedule. Keep in mind that this schedule is based on students who have submitted an intent to pursue the American FFA Degree. REMINDER - American FFA Degree interviews are done via Zoom, and Official FFA Dress is required.
American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures - AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The American FFA Degree application is DUE on January 15, 2026. If an FFA member needs to make a schedule change, they should contact Sean Welch at the FFA Center, not the teacher or parents. Changes, please contact Sean Welch at swelch@illinoisffa.org
Sam Taylor Scholarship Application - DUE March 1, 2026
Know any students with interest or potential to be a GREAT Ag teacher? Encourage them to apply for the Sam Taylor Scholarship.
Sam Taylor Memorial Scholarship: One or more $500 - $1,000 scholarship(s) established by the family in memory of Sam Taylor, 1991-92 State FFA President. Sam was an agriculture education major at the time of his death, he served Illinois with a great enthusiasm for FFA, agriculture education and his Hereford cattle. Available to any Illinois FFA member who is a graduating senior planning to major in agriculture or is a student already enrolled in an agricultural program at a two or four year college or university. Preference will be given to applicants majoring in agriculture education,but all agriculture majors are encouraged to apply. Many of our current agriculture teachers have been awarded the Sam Taylor Memorial Scholarship. It is also still awarded by Sam’s family at the Illinois FFA State Convention.
DUE March 1. Sam Taylor Scholarship Application.
www.ilaged.org - Scholarship page
Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE April 1, 2026
Know any agriculture education majors about to student teach? Encourage them to apply for the Eldon Witt Scholarship.
Mr. Witt served as the Executive Director for IAVAT starting in 1970 until his retirement in 1989. He then served the Illinois Association FFA as Executive Secretary from 1973 until his retirement in 1989. The Eldon Witt Scholarship has been awarded to numerous future agriculture teachers throughout Illinois.
DUE April 1. Eldon Witt Scholarship Application.
www.ilaged.org - Scholarship page
Honorary Illinois FFA State Degree Nominations/Application DUE April 1, 2026
This Honorary Degree Program is operated under the policies and procedures approved by the Illinois Association FFA Board of Directors and State Officers. Honorary Degrees are provided for in the Illinois FFA Constitution. The Honorary State FFA Degree is the highest Honorary Degree that can be presented by the Illinois Association FFA at the annual Illinois FFA Convention. Individuals nominated must have provided exceptional (outstanding) service to agriculture and/or the agricultural education/FFA program at the state level. Nominations may also be made by members, friends of the FFA, and by the Illinois Association FFA Board of Directors and Officers, and the State Staff. Illinois FFA Honorary Degree Recipients over the years.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the degree program is to recognize individuals who have rendered outstanding service to agricultural education and FFA programs at the state level.
CRITERIA OF NOMINATION:
Individuals nominated must have provided exceptional (outstanding) service to agriculture and/or the agricultural education/FFA program at the state level. Nominations may also be made by members of both the Illinois Association FFA Board of Directors and Officers, and the State Staff.
CRITERIA FOR TEACHERS APPLYING:
2000 points are needed to qualify. Teachers who are applying can utilize the Teacher Worksheet to determine if they have reached the necessary 2000 points to qualify for the Illinois FFA Honorary State FFA Degree.
Honorary State Degree Applications - DUE April 1
Non Teacher Official Nomination Form
Reporter Award Applications
Each year, the top ten chapter and section reporters in Illinois are selected and recognized by the Illinois AgriNews on stage at the Illinois FFA State Convention and invited to serve as part of the Illinois FFA State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom. Click here for the Chapter Reporter Award application.
*** AGAIN THIS YEAR - ATTENTION Chapter/Section Reporters:
The top 25 applicants for the Chapter and Section Reporter Award will have the opportunity to be a flag bearer in the First Opening session of the 98th Illinois FFA Convention on June 9, 2026. Fill out the application to be considered. You will receive an email if you have been selected after the selection process.
National FFA Officer Request Form
The 2025 - 2026 National Officer Request form is now available! We ask that anyone interested in hosting a National Officer this year review the attached National Officer Visit Expectations and Best Practices.
After reviewing, please use the links below to submit your requests:
In-Person Request - If the page does not open, check your security settings for pop-up blockers. Be sure to log in to your FFA account before filling out a request.
Will Cook Memorial Scholarship
The Will Cook Memorial Scholarship is available to qualifying students for the 2025-2026 school year. The $1,000 scholarship will be payable to the Financial Aid Department of the recipient’s college in one payment for the fall semester.
Click here for the flyer. The award will be credited to the recipient’s account.
All applications must be received by March 1, 2026. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be considered.
Apply here.
www.ilaged.org - Scholarship page
Dates: June 20 - July 1, 2026
Location: Ireland
Tour Topics/Visits:
Dairy
Beef
Grains
Potatoes
Water buffalo dairy
Sheep
Thoroughbred stud
Abalone
Irish tourism destinations like the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, and more!
Eligibility:
FFA members 18-21 years old (must be a high school graduate)
From any state
Up to 16 students will be taken
Cost:
$6,200 for students
There is a document on the website that gives students fundraising ideas based on how past attendees have fundraised.
A professional fundraiser will lead a fundraising coaching session on February 4th for those who have signed up or are interested in attending.
Chaperones:
Looking for 1-2 additional chaperones
Needs will depend on number and gender of student attendees
Must be 25 years or older (exceptions given for ag teachers)
Preference given to those in agriculture careers
$7,000
All of the info and a link to sign up can be found at this link: theolivebranch.net/ireland-2026
Applications are due by March 15th.
Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference Registration
Registration information will be sent out on listserve from Jennifer Waters on
Friday, January 15th. There will be two locations this year, one at Heartland
Community College on March 6th and the other will be at Joliet Junior College
on April 10th. There is a $15/person registration fee. Limit of 10 students per
chapter. To view the student schedules, click here.
-- Mindy Bunselmeyer
Illinois FFA Center
Phone: 217-753-3328
Cell: 217-412-5646
Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702