Items in this listserv:

****NEW Information****

1. Illinois Pork Producers Association - 2020 State Ambassador Internship

2. John Deere Scholarships for Local FFA Chapters

3. RAM Scholarships for Local FFA Chapters

4. American Agri-Women and Bayer Announce Contest - 9/30/2019 Deadline

5. Illinois FFA Photo at the National FFA Convention

6. BUILD Reminder - Deadline to register is THIS Friday, September 20, 2019

7. Build Ford Tough Scholarships for Local FFA Chapters

1. Illinois Pork Producers Association - 2020 State Ambassador Internship

The Illinois Pork Producers Association is recruiting for the 2020 State Ambassador Internship. This individual will serve as a representative of the association and the pork industry during the upcoming year. The chosen individual will hold the title of State Ambassador for a full year and will work from the Springfield office during the summer of his/her term (May - August 2020).

Main duties of the intern include managing the birthing center during the Illinois State Fair, attending Summer Ag Institutes, a project of his/her choosing (to be discussed with staff) and various other tasks. The internship is education and communication focused.

A $4,500 scholarship will be provided to the intern upon successful completion of the internship. Start date will depend on the student's school schedule, and end date will be after the conclusion of the IL State Fair.

Qualifications:

• Must be an Illinois resident between the ages of 18 and 23  (Must be age 18 by Jan 1, 2020)

• Must exhibit strong communication, organization and leadership skills

• Must exhibit a genuine interest in the Illinois pork industry and be able to speak on behalf of it

• Recommended that he/she has attended Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute (Previously IPLI)

• Must be a member (or become a member) of the Illinois Pork Producers Association

• Must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel to out-of-state training and functions

• May only serve one year

Application deadline is OCTOBER 31, 2019.

Any questions may be directed to Jenny Jackson at jenny@ilpork.com or 217-529-3100.

Jenny Jackson

Director of Communications

Illinois Pork Producers Association

O: 217-529-3100   C: 217-370-5851

2.  John Deere Scholarships for Local FFA Chapters

For more than 75 years, John Deere generously partnered with the National FFA Foundation to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in support, much of which directly benefits local FFA chapters and members.

Each year, FFA chapters are encouraged to reach out to their local John Deere dealer to see if they might be interested in funding one or more individual scholarships in their community.  John Deere dealers can choose to fund one or more $2,000 scholarship for local FFA member(s).

The cost to the local John Deere dealer for a single scholarship is $1,000.  The corporate level of John Deere picks up the remaining balance so that the student receives a full $2,000 scholarship.  The local John Deere dealer gets to take credit for the full scholarship even though their contribution is only part of the full award. Please reach out to your local dealership by December 13, 2019.  

Find the dealer sign up form at: https://www.ffa.org/dealer-johndeere/

Find your local John Deere dealer at: https://dealerlocator.deere.com/servlet/country=US?locale=en_US

3.  RAM Scholarships for Local FFA Chapters

For more than 65 years, RAM Trucks has generously partnered with the National FFA Foundation to provide thousands of dollars in support, much of which directly benefits local FFA chapters and members.

Each year, FFA chapters are encouraged to reach out to their local RAM Trucks dealer to see if they might be interested in funding one or more individual scholarships in their community.  RAM Trucks dealers can choose to fund one or more $1,000 scholarship for local FFA member(s).

The cost to the local RAM Trucks dealer for a single scholarship is $500.  The corporate level of RAM Trucks picks up the remaining balance so that the student receives a full $1,000 scholarship.  The local RAM Trucks dealer gets to take credit for the full scholarship even though their contribution is only part of the full award. 

Find your local RAM Trucks dealer at: http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/find-dealer/?zipCode=&dealerCode=&city=&state=&dealerName

If a dealer is interested in signing up to support a local chapter(s), they need to contact Natalie Laskowski at nlaskowski@ffa.org or 317-802-4234.

4.  American Agri-Women and Bayer Announce Contest - 9/30/2019 Deadline

WASHINGTON (AgPR) — Generation Z is a group of powerful influencers — and here’s a chance for them to use that power to promote agriculture. American Agri-Women (AAW) along with Crop Science, a division of Bayer, announce the “Gen Z Speaks Ag” advocacy contest. The contest is part of AAW’s ongoing “AgDay 365: Ag Day is Every Day Campaign.”

Young advocates, those between 11 and 23, can enter the contest, which runs through Sept. 30. The entrants can have an agriculture background or have an interest in related topics, such as food safety, food preparation, sustainability, etc.

The contest includes three categories: photo, video and special events. Prizes range from $100-500. The winners will be announced at AAW’s annual convention, set for Nov. 6-10 in Tigard, Oregon.

AAW is a coalition of farm, ranch and agri-business women. Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture.

“We are so pleased to again showcase the talents of young advocates. We want to challenge them to speak out and show an authentic and positive view of agriculture. Their views are so important among their friends, classmates, families and communities,” says Jeanette Lombardo, president of AAW.

Go to http://americanagriwomen.org/gen-z-speaks-ag/ for contest details. AgDay365 celebrates the fact that everyone is part of agriculture, every day and the contest encourages young advocates to make their voices count.

About American Agri-Women

American Agri-Women promotes the welfare of our national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers; advocate for agriculture; and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, http://americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media on Facebook (facebook.com/AgriWomen), Twitter (@Women4Ag), and Instagram (@americanagriwomen).

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015.

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

–American Agri-Women
Bayer

5.  Illinois FFA Photo at the National FFA Convention

National FFA coordinates state photos for each State Association during the National FFA Convention.  The The Illinois FFA state photo is at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2019. State and chapter photos will be taken in a **** new location this year, Lucas Oil Stadium, exhibit hall 2.  Chapter photos may be taken immediately following their respective state photo or chapters can return at a more convenient time. Only state photos are scheduled. Chapter photos are adjacent to the state photo location.

6. BUILD Reminder - Deadline to register is THIS Friday, September 20, 2019

Click here to view the original listserv with BUILD information.  

7.  Build Ford Tough Scholarships for Local FFA Chapters 

Build Ford Tough dealer scholarship signups is now open.  The window is open through December 13, 2019.

Starting in 1998, Built Ford Tough has awarded $405,000 in $1,000 scholarships directly to local FFA members across the nation all through the National FFA Foundation and National FFA Scholarship program.

Each year, FFA chapters are encouraged to reach out to their local Ford dealer to see if they might be interested in funding one or more individual scholarships in their community.  Ford dealers can choose to fund one or more $1,000 scholarship for local FFA member(s).

The cost to the local Ford dealer for a single scholarship is $500.  The corporate level of Ford picks up the remaining balance so that the student receives a full $1,000 scholarship.  The local Ford dealer gets to take credit for the full scholarship even though their contribution is only part of the full award. 

Find more information at: https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/

Find a local Ford dealer at: https://www.ford.com/dealerships/

Ford dealers can sign up to sponsor a scholarship(s) at: https://www.ffa.org/dealer-ford/

**** PREVIOUS Information Shared****

**** WORTH Sharing Again****

Career and Leadership Development Events:

IAVAT:

 Registrations LIVE for Horse, Forestry and Land Use CDEs

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

IACCAI:  

• Click here to view the listserv for IACCAI Conference.  

Illinois FFA:

2019 BUILD Conference

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

Trading Post for 2019 - 2020

• *** NEW THIS YEAR - you can exchange CDE registrations.  

• 2019 - 2020 Illinois FFA Advisor’s Trading Post

FFA Board Updates

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE Tuesday, October 1, 2019

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

Heritage and Cooperative Awards replaced with National Chapter Award Results

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

 2020 Illinois FFA State Convention Hotel Block Open

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

National FFA Results and Finalists

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

Illinois FFA Alumni:

4th Annual Illinois FFA Alumni Gun Raffle

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

Illinois FFA Center:

• October 2 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Office Clean Up  Day

• November 11 - Illinois FFA Center - CLOSED - Veterans Day

• November 13 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Staff Retreat

• November 28 - 29 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Thanksgiving 

• December 24 - January 1 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Winter Break and Holidays

Illinois Foundation FFA:

2018 - 2019 Illinois Foundation FFA Report 

• Click here to view the latest Foundation report

Industry Friends of agricultural education posts:

 GROWMARK Foundation to Provide FFA Jackets

• Click here to view the listserv message posted by the Illinois FFA Center

AGCO Scholarships

• Click here to view the listserv message posted by the Illinois FFA Center

GROWMARK Announces 2020 Essay Contest Theme

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center.  

National FFA:

• National Quiz Contest - Click here to view the flyer posted by National FFA - National FFA Quiz Rules - Click here

• Greetings from Fair Oaks Farms located in Fair Oaks, Indiana! Click here for tour information.  

• The CHS Foundation has announced the opening of their 2019 grant cycle at: https://agclassroom.org/teacher/grants_chs.cfm

• New! 2020 FFA Next Gen Conferences - Apply today!

• Sign of the Times

• The Sky’s the Limit

• Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

• Living to Serve Semester-Long Grant - Apply today!

• National FFA Officers Talk Inclusiveness

• Growers Have Hopes for Hemp

• New Educator Resources! 

  • Combating Food Insecurity

  • FFA Blue 365 Improving Lives: Part 1

  • U.S. Poultry and Egg Curriculum

• Meet the 44 Members Vying to Serve on the Next National Officer Team

• Your 2019 National Chapter, Agriscience and Proficiency Finalists

• Announcing the 2019 American Star Award Finalists

***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember***

• September 19 - ELITE Conference

• September 23 - 27 - Chapter Visits

• September 28 - State Forestry CDE, SUIC, Carbondale

• September 29 -  Illinois FFA Day w/the Cardinals vs. Cubs, St. Louis

• September 30 - October 4 - Chapter Visits

• October 1 - FFA Rosters and Fees DUE to the Illinois FFA Center 

• October 1 - National Chapter Award - Chapter Strategic Plan DUE to the Illinois FFA Center 

• October 2 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED for Office Clean Up  Day

• October 7 - 11 - Chapter Visits

• October 10 - 11 - IACCAI

• October 14 - 15 - BUILD Conference, Decatur Conference Center, Decatur

• October 22 - State Land Use CDE, BHE, Kewanee

• October 30 - November 2 - 92nd Annual National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• November 11 - Illinois FFA Center - CLOSED - Veterans Day

• November 11 - 15 - Chapter Visits

• November 13 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED - Staff Retreat

• November 18 - 22 - Chapter Visits

• November 21 - 22 - Illinois PAS Conference, Lincoln Land CC, Springfield

• November 27 - Illinois FFA Center Administrative Council mtg, FFA Center, Springfield

• November 28 - 29 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED

• December 2- 4 - Major State Officer Team Retreat w/Executive Staff

• December 6 - 10 - Major State Officers attend Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Conduct Business & Industry Visits

• December 14 - State Ag Sales, Agronomy, Diary Foods and Meats CDE, UIUC & Parkland, Champaign-Urbana

• December 24 - January 1 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED for Winter Break and Holidays

• January 10 - Illinois FFA Board & IAVAT Board Joint Meeting

• January 11 - IAVAT Section Chairs Meeting, FFA Center, Springfield

• January 24 - 25 - Illinois FFA Alumni Annual Meeting & Auction, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield