John Edgar Named SIUC College of Ag Outstanding Early Career Alumni, Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Grant ?

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	John Edgar Named SIUC College of Ag Outstanding Early Career Alumni, Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Grant ?
	Mindy Bunselmeyer 3/3/2020 7:00:00 AM

	HEADS UP ITEMS: Need Foundation Certificates Printed? Certificates can be requested by completing the request form on ilaged.org. Go to Give, How You Can Help, the link is in the box to the right of the screen - 2019 - 2020 Foundation Certificates Request SAVE the Date - Illinois FFA Day with the Cardinals vs. Cubs is Saturday, September 12, 2020 - more information later this Spring! ILLINOIS FFA CENTER OFFICE CLOSED - March 6, 2020 - ½ Day - Employee Appreciation Lunch & Vision Planning Afternoon National Chapter Award Application Tips & Tricks Webinar Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Items in this listserv: **NEW Information John Edgar Named SIUC College of Ag Outstanding Early Career Alumni Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Grant John Edgar Named SIUC College of Ag Outstanding Early Career Alumni Please help me in CONGRATULATING our very own, Mr. John Edgar as he was named the 2020 SIUC College of Agriculture Outstanding Early Career Alumni at the 68th Annual All Ag Banquet. John Edgar was a 2014 graduate from the College of Agricultural Sciences with a degree in Agribusiness Economics and a minor in Political Science. He was a presidential scholar graduating summa cum laude with an Honors Degree. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education which he started as a graduate assistant and Collegiate FFA Advisor at SIU in 2014. In this role, John grew the Collegiate FFA chapter to record numbers, boasting the 3rd largest collegiate chapter in the nation. He also worked with college administration to begin hosting the summer FFA state officer meeting on campus, now in its 7th year on SIU’s campus. John now serves as the Executive Director for the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, the Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors, and the Illinois Professional Agriculture Student Organization. He also serves as Assistant Director for the Illinois FFA Center overseeing finances and technology, managing event coordination, and assisting with FFA and Foundation programming. In such roles, John continues to build upon the partnership with SIU with the opportunity to host the 2021 IAVAT Conference bringing 300+ agriculture teachers to campus along with the 2021-2023 212 Conferences bringing 200+ additional students to campus each year. John and his wife, Kiersten, and their son, John Luke, currently live in Athens, IL where Kiersten serves as one of the agriculture teachers and FFA advisors. We at the Illinois FFA Center are very happy and excited for John, as we can think of no one more deserving of this exceptionally prestigious award. Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Grant Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Fund Announces the Launch of 2nd Annual Grant $10,000 will be awarded in the Spring of 2020. The Board of Directors of the Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Fund are excited to announce the launch of the WWMF’s 2nd annual grant in the amount of $10,000, which will be preferably awarded to (a) young, Midwestern agricultural entrepreneur(s) who embodies (embody) the late Wayne Wackerlin’s spirit, strong work ethic, and his love for farming. The official opening date of the 2020 2nd annual WWMF grant application is 1-Feb-2020. The purpose of the WWMF is to award yearly grants (≥ $5,000) to entrepreneurs needing capital to fund their dreams. While preference will be given to an applicant (or applicants) living in the Midwest applying for the purpose of (an) agricultural focused business(es) who share(s) Wayne’s love for farming and will keep his entrepreneurial spirit alive, any entrepreneur seeking to fund his/her dreams, project, vision, etc. may apply. There is also no age restriction for applicants, and all who fit the qualifications are encouraged to apply, including those who applied (but were not funded) for the 2019 grant cycle. The WWMF 2020 grant application can be accessed and submitted electronically via https://forms.gle/VjCBPQy5ovQgi4SXA (Google account required) or by contacting the WWMF above for a static copy of the application. The deadline to submit applications is 11:59 pm CST on 24-April-2020 (Wayne’s birthday). For more information, please contact the WWMF. PREVIOUS Information Shared WORTH Sharing Again CONVENTION Information: Registration for the 92nd Annual Illinois FFA Convention is NOW OPEN Register for State Convention just like any other event by going to the www.ilaged.org website. FREE Registration for All FFA Advisors - Country Financial Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. FREE Registration for ALL Delegates Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Cargill to Sponsor the Building Communities Award Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. NEW Convention Schedule Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. BAND, CHORUS and TALENT Applications for State FFA Convention April 15 - State Convention Band Application DUE April 15 - State Convention Chorus Application DUE April 15 - State Convention Talent Application DUE 92nd Annual Illinois FFA Convention Day of Service Project Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Honorary Illinois FFA State Degree - Awarded at Illinois FFA State Convention Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois FFA Convention - 1st Business Session - Proposed Constitutional Amendment Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Farm Credit News Room Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Courtesy Corps Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Scrapbook Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. IAVAT: Membership Memos Please complete this form if you would like to notify the Illinois FFA Center about an event in the lives of someone in our FFA Family. Hello Region IV Agriculture Teachers! Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 2020 - 2021 Illinois FFA CDE Schedule Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. CDE Registration Click here for the original listserv message. IACCAI: Officers - Jeff Landers, JJC - President, Brian Clement, College of Dupage - Vice President, Doug Robb, WVCC - Treasurer, Jess Smithers, Richland - Secretary, Pete Fandel, ICC - Past President 2020 Conference = October 8-9, 2020 in Joliet PAS: Recent name change from Post-Secondary Ag Students to Professional Ag Students Officers - President - Gwen Heimerdinger, 1st Vice-President - Ryan Reeverts, 2nd Vice-President - Rob Janssen, 3rd Vice-President - Mazi Walker Illinois FFA: Illinois Farm Bureau’s Top Chapter President program Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 2020 Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Ed Curry Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Memorial Scholarship Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. National Chapter Award Application Tips & Tricks Webinar Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. National Chapter Award (NCA) Judges Needed Click here if you are willing or interested in judging the National Chapter Award Applications. National Chapter Award (NCA) Judges Webinars Round 1 NCA Judging webinar is set for Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Round 2 NCA Judging webinar is set for Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Illinois Farm Bureau & Affiliate Companies Premier Chapter Award Trip Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. January 2020 Newsletter Click here to view the latest Winter Edition Illinois Association FFA Newsletter Illinois FFA Convention - 1st Business Session - Proposed Constitutional Amendment Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Selection Committee - Students NEEDED! Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. EZ Records Update - Shutdown is 1st week in April 2020 Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE May 15 Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Eldon Witt Scholarship Application Illinois FFA Board Updates Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Honorary State Degree Applications - DUE April 1 Teacher Application Non Teacher Application Winter 2019 Illinois FFA Newsletter Click here to view the 2019 Winter Illinois FFA Newsletter Fall 2019 Illinois FFA Newsletter Click here to view the 2019 Fall Illinois FFA Newsletter Trading Post for 2019 - 2020 NEW THIS YEAR - you can exchange CDE registrations. 2019 - 2020 Illinois FFA Advisor’s Trading Post Lock Box Practicums and Activities Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. FFA Board August Updates 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. Illinois FFA Alumni: Illinois FFA Alumni Annual Meeting & Auction Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 212 and WLC Scholarship Winners Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois FFA Alumni Auction - Chapter Baskets Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 4th Annual Illinois FFA Alumni Gun Raffle Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois FFA Center: Interns for Summer 2020 & Bill Johnson Legislative Intern Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Registering for Events Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Office Closings: March 6, 2020 - ½ Day - Employee Appreciation Lunch & Vision Planning Afternoon Friday, April 10, 2020 - Good Friday Monday, May 25, 2020 - Memorial Day Illinois Foundation FFA: Illinois Foundation FFA February 14, 2020 Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois Foundation FFA January 28, 2020 Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois Foundation FFA January Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois Foundation FFA December Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois Foundation FFA November Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 2019 - 2020 Local Collection Drive Kickoff Listserv Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 2018 - 2019 Illinois Foundation FFA Report Click here to view the latest Foundation report Industry Friends of agricultural education posts: Illinois Corn Marketing Boards Supports Your Local Chapter Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Monsanto’s (now Bayer) America’s Farmers Grow America program Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. GROWMARK Youth Pollinator Program Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Next Level Livestock Camps: Swine Showmanship Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Culver’s Essay Contest Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center Tractor Supply Company Grants for Growing Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Nutrien Sustainable Agriculture Youth Trip Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 2020 GROWMARK Essay Contest Results Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. Illinois State Florists' Association Student Design Contest Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. The Gathering of the Green invites Illinois FFA Chapters and members! Click here to learn more about it. DeKalb, Asgrow, Deltapine Scholarship Click here for more information. National FFA: National FFA Updates Turn the Bag Blue Click here to view the listserv message posted by the Illinois FFA Center New Century Farmer Conference Click here to view the listserv message posted by the Illinois FFA Center Please find a National FFA report at: https://ffa.box.com/s/m7h4aousg0fk73cubhfji8d2oldhnzci. We are in the final year that the National FFA Organization will offer packets of free proficiency and star medals. Chapters that want one last free packet can order these at: https://shopffa.org/products/176/FREE-MEDALS/ while supplies last. Medals can be individually purchased starting now at: https://shopffa.org/item/SAP/CHAPTER-PROFICIENCY-CDE-EVENT-RECOGNITION-AWARD-PINS/. To order either the free medals or the individually prices medals, advisors must be logged in with their chapter advisor shopffa.org account. The National FFA Organization is pleased to announce once again the Tractor Supply Company; Grants for Growing. Tractor Supply Company (TSC) is again looking forward to partnering with local FFA chapters during National FFA Week in February to help promote ag education, FFA, and the sale of $1 paper emblems at TSC store checkouts. The money raised through this promotion by TSC will be made available for minimum $500 grants that ANY local FFA chapter can apply for. The grant application will open for a two month period of March 2nd through May 1st. This is a new timeline. All FFA chapters are eligible to apply. BEING LOCATED NEAR A TSC STORE IS NOT REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A GRANT. Find the grant application and more information at: https://www.ffa.org/grants-for-growing/. Applications are currently being accepted through March 1st for the 2020 National FFA New Century Farmer Program. This ag production focused summer program is open to currently enrolled college students with plans to enter production agriculture after graduation. Applicants must be current or former FFA members or current National FFA Alumni Members. Find more information and the application at: https://www.ffa.org/participate/conference/new-century-farmer/ National FFA Week is coming up February 22-29. Find a great trove of resources, graphics, press releases, radio PSAs, etc. at: https://www.ffa.org/national-ffa-week/ The APHIS branch of USDA is seeking student applicants for its 2020 AgDiscovery Program. AgDiscovery is a summer camp outreach for middle school and high school aged students to explore careers in various agriculture disciplines. The two (or more) week program is based at 20 land grant universities and HBCUs throughout the US. Applications are due March 1st and can be found at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/civilrights/agdiscovery/ct_agdiscovery_program Please be sure that your American Degree applications are reviewed using this manual checksheet: https://ffa.box.com/s/s1wtq7xitcldu50sttkgsdsli2f6m8a8. This checksheet IS NOT a part of, or a substitute for the automated met/not-met process. If your state uses a committee review process or panel of teachers for review, please make sure they have this checksheet on hand as they review applications. Please be sure to utilize the updated American Degree Community Service Guidelines as first shared by Brett Evans on December 16, 2019: Community Service Guidelines for FFA Degrees. Its also highly recommended to apply these guidelines to state degree community service activities. Natural resource, forestry, wildlife, etc. teachers may be interested in the American Wilderness Leadership School in Jackson, WY as a professional development opportunity. Attendees can pick one of seven, eight-day workshop session options held June through August, 2020: https://safariclubfoundation.org/american-wilderness-leadership-school/ The National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy is now accepting applications for the 2020 academy July 13-17 in Tulsa, OK. This is a highly competitive, paid for professional development experience that past participants note as having significantly altered their teaching style and methodology in very positive ways. The academy focuses on interactive, hands-on application based agriscience professional development. The week of training includes lab activities using inquiry-based pedagogy. Previous attendees are listed by state at: https://www.naae.org/profdevelopment/nataa_ambassadors.cfm and may be an excellent source to ask questions and learn more about the academy if you are interested. The application is due February 3rd and can be found at: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3725707/2020NATAA. The National Teacher Ambassador for FFA program will accept applications for our 2020 cohort starting February 3rd. Current ag teachers are encouraged to apply. Training date options for the 2020 cohort are June 8-12 or June 15-19. Watch for the application opening February 3rd: https://www.ffa.org/teacherambassadors/ Find a detailed list of updates and additional national information at: https://ffa.box.com/s/m7h4aousg0fk73cubhfji8d2oldhnzci DATES & DEADLINES - Remember** March 4 - District Proficiency Awards March 6-8 - State FFA Officer Team Meeting, Springfield March 7 - State Food/Vet Science CDEs March 9 - 10 - State Review of American and State FFA Degree Applications March 10 - National Chapter Award webinar March 13 - Judges Submitted from all District Winners for State Awards Day March 13-14 - Alumni Council Meeting, FFA Center - Springfield March 15 - Selection Committee Application DUE March 20 - FFA State Officer Team Meeting March 20 - Mandatory Dairy Cattle & Handlers registration deadline March 21 - State Proficiency Awards Day, UIUC - Urbana April 1 - Honorary State FFA Degree Application DUE Teacher Application Non Teacher Application April 3 - State Dairy Cattle and Dairy Cattle Handlers CDE April 6 - 8 - American FFA Degree Interviews, Illinois FFA Center - Springfield April 9 - Illinois Foundation FFA Annual Meeting April 10 - FFA Center Closed - Good Friday April 10 - Livestock Reasons & Horticulture Mandatory Registration DUE April 10 - Livestock Non-reasons & Poultry Early Bird Registration CLOSES April 13 - Administrative Council Meeting, Illinois FFA Center - Springfield April 15 - National Chapter Award Application DUE - ONLINE April 15 - State Convention Band Application DUE April 15 - State Convention Chorus Application DUE April 15 - State Convention Talent Application DUE April 17 - 20 - Round 1 of National Chapter Award Judging April 18 - Major State Officer Selection Committee - Springfield April 21 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, Illinois FFA Center - Springfield April 23 - 30 - Round 2 of National Chapter Award Judging April 24 - Super Friday - State Livestock, Poultry & Horticulture CDEs April 28 - Section Ag Mech results DUE to register for State Ag Mech May 1 - Chapter President Award Application DUE May 1 - Chapter and Section Reporter Award Application DUE May 6 - State Ag Business Management CDE May 12 - State Ag Mechanics CDE May 15 - Eldon Witt Scholarship DUE May 15 - State Convention Courtesy Corps Application DUE May 15 - State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom Application DUE May 26 - 27 - State FFA Officer Team Meeting May 31 - Chapter Scrapbook Intent to Compete at State Convention June 1 - State Ag Issues Materials DUE June 1 - State Prepared Public Speaking Manuscripts DUE via email June 1 - State Job Interview Materials DUE June 8 - State Ag Issues, Parliamentary Procedure, Conduct of Chapter Meeting and Ag Communications CDE/LDEs, Springfield June 9 - State Ag Communications, Public Speakings, Job Interview CDE/LDEs June 9 - 11 - 92nd Annual Illinois FFA State Convention, Springfield June 11-12 - State FFA Officer Team Meeting, Springfield June 15 - IAVAT Board Meeting & Section Chairs Meeting June 16 - 18 - IAVAT Conference June 18 - 19 - State FFA Officer Team Meeting, Decatur June 21 - 26 - Legacy Tour (Formerly the Heritage & COOP Tour) July 3 - FFA Center Closed - 4th of July HOLIDAY -- Mindy Bunselmeyer Illinois FFA Center Phone: 217-753-3328 Cell: 217-412-5646 Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702

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