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 Memorabilia - Click here to complete the form
100 Faces of Illinois FFA -
HOT, HOT, HOT - Instructions on how to find your JudgingCard Invoice.
URGENT Information from JudgingCard.com
To keep your account in good standing, please pay balances by June and December 15 of each year. IF NOT paid, your Judging Card account will be BLOCKED.
On July 1 and January 15, unpaid past-due balances may incur a 10% fee (minimum $25).
CDE - payments go to Judgingcard
FFA Convention & Conferences & IAVAT - payments to FFA Center
Balances to the FFA Center for Conferences and Convention will have a 5% fee added after 60 days from the event date.
****NEW Information****
National FFA UPDATES, DEADLINES & INFORMATION
2026 - 2027 Illinois FFA State Theme
Illinois FFA Board August Board Report
Illinois FFA Who Do You Call
Lincoln Land Community College Agriculture Events
American Society of Agronomy - Careers in Agronomy
National FFA UPDATES, DEADLINES & INFORMATION:
2026-27 FFA in the USA Reporter Application Now Live!
Do you know an FFA member who loves sharing stories and celebrating achievements within the FFA community? Have them apply to be an FFA in the USA Reporter! To learn more, visit the FFA in the USA webpage. The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 7.
FFA.org Membership Roster and Profile System – Annual Maintenance, Aug. 1-2
The roster and profile will be inaccessible from Aug. 1-2 to make necessary updates to the membership system. Beginning on Aug. 3, memberships can be submitted and approved for the 2026-27 membership year.
Applications Opening Soon for 2027 Next Gen Conferences
Do you have students interested in pursuing a career in Plant Systems, Food Products and Processing Systems, or Environmental Services and Natural Resources Systems? Good news! The 2027 Next Gen conferences will focus on these pathways! Applications will open on Aug. 15. Encourage your students to apply!
Membership Numbers Announced
The National FFA Organization continues its record-setting growth with yet another increase in membership over last year. Current membership is 1,053,847 student members with 9,591 active student chapters. Alumni membership for the year is 840,865.
Fall Semester-Long Grant — Application Open
This grant provides middle/high school FFA chapters with up to $1,500 per semester to implement a service-learning project in their community for one semester. Apply today.
Seeking State Judges for National Speaking Leadership Development Events
Providing a safe environment for the youth we serve is a top priority. As part of the National FFA Member Safety Policy, National FFA has updated the process for submitting names for judges for the Creed, Extemporaneous and Prepared Public Speaking LDEs. As a result, we’re asking for judge information by Monday, Aug. 17. Potential judges must now be submitted in advance to complete the required youth protection measures, helping to provide added peace of mind for volunteers, participants and families. Once names have been submitted, state staff will receive confirmation from National FFA of their submissions, and volunteers will receive emails with instructions to begin the process. There are no limits to the number of volunteers you may submit. Don’t delay, submit your names today!
American Rocketry Challenge, A National FFA Endorsed Activity
Registration is now open for the world’s largest student rocket competition. Middle and high school teams design, build, and launch their own rockets while building real engineering skills, teamwork, and confidence. Compete for $100K+ in awards and a chance to represent the U.S. internationally. Register today!
Envirothon: A new National FFA Endorsed Activity
The Envirothon® is an academic competition and leadership experience for students focused on natural resource conservation and environmental issues. It promotes problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership among students across the United States, Canada, and Asia. The annual competition will be held July 19-26.
2026 - 2027 Illinois FFA State Theme
Click here for the 2026 Illinois FFA State Theme video.
Illinois FFA Board August Board Report
Click here for the August 2026 Illinois FFA Board Report.
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.
Lincoln Land Community College Agriculture Events
Lincoln Land Community College Agriculture is excited to host many events this school year!
LLCC Ag Expo - September 10 OR November 5 | Kreher Ag Center
Students will learn about opportunities across the agricultural industry through hands-on workshops in addition to information about how LLCC can help you reach your career goals. T-shirt and lunch are provided. Choose which date best works for you! Each event is limited to 100 students. Registration is required and due a week prior to the event, but will be first come, first serve. Please email Lori Jackson to register (lori.jackson@llcc.edu).
Greenhand Conference - October 14 | Kreher Ag Center
All first-year FFA members are welcome! Join LLCC Ag along with the Illinois FFA Major State Officer team for an evening of team building, leadership, and all things FFA! The cost is $5 per member, which includes a T-shirt and meal. Registration is required and due 10/5. Register here
Agronomy Contest & Dairy Foods - November 18 | Kreher Ag Center
Bring out your FFA CDE teams for a practice night! The agronomy contest will follow IAVAT format, including a weeds practicum. Cost is $2 per participant. Registration is required and due 11/13. Register here
LLCC Livestock Judging Contest - April 15, 2027 | Christian County Fairgrounds
Join us for our annual LLCC Ag livestock judging contest! Students will get to evaluate quality livestock through the reasons or non-reasons divisions. More information will be provided in the spring. Registration is required and will be sent out in the spring.
Please send all questions to Lori Jackson (lori.jackson@llcc.edu)
Lori Jackson - Agriculture Access & Engagement Coordinator - Lincoln Land Community College
American Society of Agronomy - Careers in Agronomy
Dig In and Do Good by choosing a career in agronomy, crop, or soil science. Click here to check out the website
*** PREVIOUS Information Shared - WORTH Sharing Again****
PREVIOUS LISTSERVS - CLICK HERE to view - 2025 - 2026 School Year
2024 - 2025 School Year - CLICK HERE
Information for 2026 - 2027:
2026 - 2027 Calendar: Includes Application Links and full event addresses.
Instructions on how to find your Invoice in AET/JudgingCard.
*Please NOTE that clicking Dates & Deadlines will take you to the www.ilaged.org calendar.
-- Mindy Bunselmeyer
Illinois FFA Center
Phone: 217-753-3328
Cell: 217-412-5646
Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702