Items in this listserv:

****NEW Information****

1. Reminder all Account Balances need to be paid by August 1, 2022

2. 2022 - 2023 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2022

3. Illinois Pork Producers - Looking for HELP!

4. National Farm Safety & Health Week - September 18 - 24, 2022

5. Want a chance to win money for your chapter while learning about nutrient loss and water quality issues facing agriculture?

1.  Reminder all Account Balances need to be paid by August 1, 2022

In order to always be an FFA Chapter in Good Standing, please be sure to check your FFA Chapter account balances and keep your bills being paid up to date.  

This message was posted on March 15, 2022:  New this year per the directive of the IAVAT Administrative Council, for all Illinois FFA Chapters and any colleges/universities with an account at the Illinois FFA Center:  any outstanding bills due to the Illinois FFA Center must be paid in full by August 1, 2022.  This includes bills from CDEs, conferences, camps, conventions, dues, etc.

If outstanding bills are not paid by August 1, 2022, login access to www.ilaged.org will be turned off until the outstanding debt is paid in full.  Turning off this access will not allow a program or teacher to login to register for events, access curriculum online or begin the FFA roster process.  So please take time to review your account balance on www.ilaged.org to make sure those balances are paid.  

If you have any financial questions or inquiries about your balance, please contact Jannette Allotey jallotey@illinoisffa.org

If at any time you have questions or concerns about the policy, please contact Mindy Bunselmeyer at mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org

Thank you for your attention now to this notification, it is our hope that not a single program will lose access to the website, while at the same time operating the business of the FFA Center in a timely manner.  

2.  2022 - 2023 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2022

Having a great summer??  I sure hope so, we know that many of you have had or are looking forward to officer retreats and have many amazing plans for the year ready to put into action.  As you are doing that, it’s a great time to complete your 2022-2023 Strategic Plan.  

Just like in previous years, you can submit your Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre POA) in any format that your FFA chapter prefers.  The only requirement is that it is submitted electronically and received by the Illinois FFA Center by October 1, 2022.

The Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre POA) is a minimum standard requirement for Section E of the Incentive Funding Grant Application (IFGA).  You must submit a Chapter Strategic Plan ( Pre POA) by October 1, 2022, to receive any credit in Section E of the IFGA.  

The FFA Chapter can use any format they prefer, but all plans received must be sent electronically.  NO paper copies are needed.  

Steps to complete the 2022 Chapter Strategic Plan Process: 

1. ALL FFA Chapters MUST Click here

2. ALL FFA Chapters MUST Answer the first 5 questions of the form.  

3. EITHER upload your own plan OR complete the form you have opened created by the Illinois FFA Center.

4. ALL Chapters MUST open this form REGARDLESS of what format you choose to do your Chapter Strategic Plan in.

5. Here are the Questions on the Chapter Strategic Plan form.  

6. Questions, email mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org

7. Please click here for Chapter Strategic Plan instructions.  

8. DISCLAIMER - If your school does allow access to uploading to Google forms, please email your Chapter Strategic Plan to intern@illinoisffa.org by Saturday, October 1, 2022.

9. There is NO NEED for emails or any other correspondence for submitting the Chapter Strategic Plan.   

10.  As a reminder, the Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre - POA) is due October 1, 2022.

Because everything is submitted electronically, it is dated when you complete the form, there is NO need to send this to your Section President or anyone else, simply print a copy of it for your records.  

ENJOY what’s left of your summer and have a GREAT year accomplishing your goals!

3.  Illinois Pork Producers - Looking for HELP!

Message from Mike Borgic - Illinois Pork Producers: 

Volunteer groups will be paid $25 per volunteer up to maximum number of volunteers, noted in parenthesis on each shift.  If a group volunteers for a shift, they are expected to bring the noted number to the shift.  Groups will be sent gate passes for the volunteers prior to the fair.  Volunteers will be asked to serve food, wrap sandwiches, clean tables and various other duties.  Volunteers will not be asked to cook or handle money.  For all questions, please reach out to Mike Borgic at mike@ilpork.com.

A good way for your FFA Chapter to make some money and see the Illinois State Fair!

Here is the link to the form for volunteering at the Pork Patio during the Illinois State Fair.  https://forms.gle/U4kv3yPEJ5tLTK7F6

Message from the Illinois Pork Producers:  We are looking for volunteers for the Birthing Center at the IL State Fair in Springfield. There are two shifts per day, with recommended two volunteers per shift.

Individuals ages 16+, or families (younger children + supervision), are welcome to join us! Gate admission and a t-shirt will be provided if signed up before August 3rd.

Annie Johnson, IPPA Ambassador, will be in touch with you upon sign-up with further details. To claim a shift, please click this Google sheet.

4.  National Farm Safety & Health Week - September 18 - 24, 2022

Click here for a flyer for free webinars provided by AgriSafe Network - agrisafe.org

5.  Want a chance to win money for your chapter while learning about nutrient loss and water quality issues facing agriculture?

IL Corn & IL Soybean Associations have teamed up to offer a new water

testing initiative challenge.  

Click here for more information for a chance to win MONEY!   

FFA chapters sample water from a minimum of 2 agricultural sources (tile, surface runoff, nearby stream/creek, ditch) and a minimum of 5 different locations with at least 3 different cropping practices (crop type, tillage type, cover crop, other unique management practice). If samples are taken prior to planting, note what the previous crop was and if a fall application of nitrogen or MAP/DAP was made. Chapters need to create a summary report including the timing of sampling, field characteristics, and any recent precipitation events.  The report should include an initial hypothesis, and conclusions drawn after sampling events. It should also use include at least one improvement suggestion for one of the fields sampled including best management practices and why those practices should be considered. Including pictures and other supporting documents is encouraged but not required. Sampling can be conducted all in the spring, all in the fall, or a combination of both. If you choose to conduct sampling in both the spring and fall, discuss your hypothesis of why the numbers vary across the seasons (i.e. was it a wet

spring with heavy tile/surface flow followed by a dry summer with minimal tile flow, etc.)

How to Participate - Notify Megan Dwyer at mdwyer@ilcorn.org

They’ll send you everything you need including:  test strips, background on the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, and resources to learn what your results mean and Best Management Practices going forward.

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

• CLICK HERE to view

***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember*** 

Instructions on How To Register for Events, CDE's-Adding/Editing Participant Names, and Waiver Uploads for Events

CDE/LDE Calendar & General Information

Trading Post  

• July 25 - 28, 2022 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, 4-H Memorial Campgrounds, Monticello, IL (Monday-Thursday) 

• July 25, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Meeting & Cooking Pork Chops/Corn at the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp

• August 1, 2022 - FFA & IAVAT Joint Board Meeting, Springfield, IL

• August 2, 2022 - IAVAT Section Chairs Meeting, Springfield, IL

• August 9 - 11, 2022 - Illinois FFA State Officer Team Meeting, Springfield, IL

• August 11, 2022 - Illinois FFA State Fair Parade, Springfield, IL

• August 12 - 21, 2022 - Illinois FFA Center State Officer Team and Staff work the Illinois State Fair Barnyard

• August 12, 2022 - Illinois Foundation FFA St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Registration Closes at 11:59 p.m.

• August 26, 2022 - DuQuoin State Fair Parade, DuQuoin, IL

• August 29, 2022 - DuQuoin State Fair Farmyard Follies, DuQuoin, IL

• August 30, 2022 - District IV Star Conference, Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938

• August 31, 2022 - District II Star Conference, Joliet Junior College Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center, 17840 W Laraway Rd, Joliet, IL 60433

• September 1, 2022 - District I Star Conference, Black Hawk College East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, Galva, IL 61434

• September 2, 2022 - Illinois FFA Center Closing at 2:30 pm

• September 3, 2022 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Horse CDE.  Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• September 4, 2022 - Illinois FFA Day with the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis, MO - Fundraiser for the Illinois Foundation FFA

• September 5, 2022 - Illinois FFA Center CLOSED

• September 6, 2022 - District V Star & Greenhand/COLT Conference, Southern Illinois University, College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901.

• September 7, 2022 - District III Greenhand Conference, Western Illinois University, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455.

• September 8, 2022 - District III Star Conference, Western Illinois University, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455,

• September 9, 2022 - ICAE Meeting

• September 10, 2022 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Forestry CDE.  Registration will continue at the regular rate. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• September 16, 2022 - Elite Conference, Heartland Community College, Normal

• September 17, 2022 - State Horse CDE, Black Hawk College East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, Galva, IL 61434. Registration 7:00-8:30, Event starts at 9:00 am.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• September 24, 20022 - State Forestry CDE, Southern Illinois University, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901. Registration 8:00-9:30 a.m., Event Starts at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• September 27, 2022 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Land Use CDE.  Registration will continue at the regular rate. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• September 28, 2022 - IL FFA Center CLOSED, Office Cleanout Day

• October 1, 2022 - IL FFA Rosters DUE

• October 10, 2022 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• October 11, 2022 - State Land Use CDE, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, Normal, IL 61761.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., Event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• October 17, 2022 - Illinois Foundation FFA Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• October 19, 2022 - IAVAT Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• October 26 - October 29, 2022 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• October 31, 2022 - IAVAT & IACCAI Dues Deadline

• November 1, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Washington Leadership Scholarship Application DUE

• November 1, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Ground Zero Application DUE

• November 3 - 4, 2022 - IACCAI Conference

• November 5, 2022 - State Ag Sales CDE Results DUE

• November 5, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Meeting, IL FFA Center

• November 11, 2022 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• November 19, 2022 - State Ag Sales CDE, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703.  By Appointment Only

• November 24-25, 2022 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• November 26, 2022 - Mandatory Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. for State Dairy Foods CDE.  Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• November 26, 2022 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m for State Agronomy CDE.  Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• December 2-5, 2022 - Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

• December 10, 2022 - State Dairy Foods CDE, Parkland College, 2400 W Bradley Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• December 10, 2022 - State Agronomy CDE, University of Illinois, Stock Pavilion, 1402 W Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00-9:30 a.m. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• December 22 - January 3, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for the Christmas Holiday

• January 6, 2023 - American FFA Degree Mandatory Intent DUE

• January 6, 2023 - Joint IL FFA & IAVAT Board Meeting, IL FFA Center

• January 7, 2023 - IAVAT Section Chairs, IL FFA Center

• January 16, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• January 27-28, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference, Southern Illinois University, College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901.

• February 3-4, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference, I-Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820.

• February 10-11, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Annual Meeting and Auction, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E Adams St, Springfield, IL 62701.

• February 16-17, 2023 - IACTE Conference

• February 18, 2023 - Parent/Candidate Orientation Meeting, IL FFA Center

• February 18, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Meats Evaluation & Technology CDE.  Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• February 18, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Veterinary Science CDE.  Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• February 18, 2023 - Lesson Plans DUE for State Ag Ed CDE

• February 18 - 25, 2023 - National FFA Week

• March 1, 2023 - Sam Taylor Scholarships Application DUE

• March 1, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters FFA Leadership Camp Scholarship Application DUE

• March 3, 2023 - Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference

• March 8, 2023 - District Proficiencies