HOT TOPIC:

2021 - 2022 Illinois FFA Rosters - DUE October 1, 2021 - THAT’S FRIDAY of THIS Week!

• Please click here for roster instructions.  

2021 - 2022 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2021 - THAT’S FRIDAY of THIS Week!

• Please click here for Chapter Strategic Plan instructions.  

ISBE Budget Hearings

Now more than ever, ISBE wants our school leaders, classroom teachers, parents, and community advocates to tell us what investments would make the biggest difference for their students. So please visit ISBE.net/budget to fill out a budget request funding form and to register for one of the hearings. Those wishing to participate must submit their testimony in writing by completing the form at www.isbe.net/budget. Please note ISBE will give equal consideration to all written and oral testimony.

Feedback Needed - REALLY need to get teachers to complete the Fall Survey to help us plan for BUILD Conference and other Fall events.  

• Click here to view the original listserv message asking for feedback

State Leadership CREW Committee Ranking

• Click here to have your FFA members rank the committees they are most interested in participating in the State Leadership CREW meetings.  

Illinois FFA Center will be CLOSED on Thursday, September 30, 2021

Items in this listserv:

****NEW Information****

1. Illinois Pork Producers Association State Ambassador Intern

2.  GROWMARK and FS Cooperatives: Basics in Applied Agronomy

3. Congratulations to the 2021 Mike Builta FFA Jacket Recipients

4. Congratulations to the 2021 IAA Foundation Ag Ed Teacher Grant Recipients 

1. Illinois Pork Producers Association State Ambassador Intern

The Illinois Pork Producers Association State Ambassador Intern serves as a representative of the association and the pork industry. 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 their term (May - August).

Main duties of the intern include managing the birthing center during the Illinois State Fair, attending Summer Ag Institutes for teachers to present about pork, a project of his/her choosing (to be discussed with staff) and various other events. 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 Illinois State Fair.

 Qualifications:

• Must be an Illinois resident between the ages of 18 and 23 (Must be age 18 by Jan 1, 2022. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply. Note that payment is only provided via scholarship, directly to the institution.)

• 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. Will get to attend on behalf of their internship)

• 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

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

Deadline to apply is OCTOBER 29, 2021.  Click here for the application.  

2.  GROWMARK and FS Cooperatives: Basics in Applied Agronomy

GROWMARK and local FS cooperatives will pay for a select number of FFA members to enroll in the Basics of Applied Agronomy course offered by Parkland College. The class will meet from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights from November 3, 2021 through January 19, 2022. This is a virtual class that can be joined from anywhere with an internet connection. No college credit is offered for this course, but it does provide an excellent foundation for anyone interested in a career in agronomy.

More information can be found here: Course Description

Interested students should fill out this form by October 15: https://bit.ly/GMKAgronomyBasics

Contact Karen Jones, kjones@growmark.com or 309-557-6184 with questions.

3.  Congratulations to the 2021 Mike Builta FFA Jacket Recipients

GROWMARK Foundation Awards FFA Jackets

In April 2019, Mike Builta, a GROWMARK vice president and long-time employee, passed away unexpectedly. To honor his memory, the GROWMARK Foundation will be providing 100 FFA jackets to FFA members in Illinois. 

Twenty-five jackets will be provided each year through 2022. Students submitted an essay explaining what an FFA jacket means to them and their goals as an FFA member. 

The 2021 recipients are:

• • Lilliana BernabeiMarquette FFAOttawa, IL

  • Allee BunnellWest Prairie FFAColchester, IL

  • Mackenzie DandridgeSparta FFASparta, IL

  • Karleigh EllisCobden FFAAlto Pass, IL

  • Kylee FaupelDonovan FFADonovan, IL

  • Tyler HorstmannWesclin FFATrenton, IL

  • Kaelannie LaFondDonovan FFABeaverville, IL

  • Riley MatskoStreator FFAStreator, IL

  • Wyatt ParksWest Prairie FFAColchester, IL

  • Isabel PistoriusMeridian-Macon FFABlue Mound, IL

  • Violet PotterOdin FFAOdin, IL

  • Kathryn ScharfGibault Catholic FFAWaterloo, IL

  • Dakota Schober-KramerNorth Boone FFAPoplar Grove, IL

  • Kristina SmithMeridian-Macon FFABlue Mound, IL

  • Lucas StaggsNormal FFABloomington, IL

  • Ryleigh TaylorFairfield FFAMill Shoals, IL

  • Leah ThanepohnNewark FFANewark, IL

  • Keizer TomeMacomb FFAMacomb, IL

  • Hannah TremeNewark FFANewark, IL

  • Joyce WalklingStreator FFAStreator, IL

  • Zack WalklingStreator FFAStreator, IL

  • Benjamin WamsleyTaylorville FFATaylorville, IL

  • Destiny ZeebLebanon FFATrenton, IL

  • Caleb ZwillingFisher FFAFisher, IL

  • Dylan ZwillingFisher FFAFisher, IL

Builta was raised on a family farm near Bellflower, IL. 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, IL and GRAINCO FS in Ottawa, IL, before becoming GROWMARK vice president of Energy and Logistics in 2018. 

The GROWMARK Foundation was formally incorporated in 2005 and supports 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations. The Foundation is focused on programs and activities which support: the vitality of the industry of agriculture; agriculture education and consumer understanding of agriculture's contributions to society and the economy; agricultural leadership development; and education about the benefits of the cooperative way of doing business. The GROWMARK System has been involved in a variety of philanthropic efforts, including youth and young leader education and development and scholarships, for decades.

4. Congratulations to the 2021 IAA Foundation Ag Ed Teacher Grant Recipients 

Choosing to be an Agriculture Teacher means dedicating your time and talent to developing students into tomorrow’s industry leaders. Congratulations to the newest Illinois Agricultural Education Teacher Grant recipients, Ms. Diss, Marquette Academy, Mr. Hill, Prairie Central, Ms. Shupe, Paris and Ms. Swalve, Armstrong.

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

• CLICK HERE to view

***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember***  

Please NOTE, if you click on Dates & Deadlines it will take you to the www.ilaged.org calendar.  

• September 27 - October 1, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• September 30, 2021 - FFA Center CLOSED - Due to Staff Professional Development Day

• October 1, 2021 - FFA Roster DUE

• October 1, 2021 - FFA Strategic Plan DUE

• October 3, 2021 - Illinois FFA Day with the Cardinals, St. Louis, MO

• October 4 - 8, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• October 11, 2021 - Columbus Day - FFA CENTER CLOSED

• October 12, 2021 - State Land Use CDE, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, Normal, IL 61761, USA

• October 27 - 30, 2021 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• October 31, 2021 - IAVAT Dues Deadline

• November 1, 2021 - IL FFA Board Virtual Meeting - 3:30 p.m. 

• November 1, 2021 - WLC Alumni Scholarship Application DUE 

• November 8 - 12, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• November 11, 2021 - Veterans Day - FFA CENTER CLOSED

• November 12, 2021 - ICAE Meeting

• November 13, 2021 - Alumni Council Meeting, FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• November 15 - 19, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• November 20, 2021 - State Ag Sales CDE - Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703, USA

• November 22, 2021 - BUILD Conference (1 day in person event at this time) Bone Student Center, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, #146, Normal, IL 61761

• November 23, 2021 - BUILD Conference (1 day in person event at this time)  Bone Student Center, IL State University, 100 N University St, #146, Normal, IL 61761

• November 25 - 26, 2021 - Thanksgiving - FFA CENTER CLOSED

• December 6 - 10, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• December 11, 2021 - State Agronomy & Dairy Foods CDE

• January 15, 2022 - American FFA Degree Applications DUE - Illinois Procedures - American FFA Degree