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****NEW Information****

1. GROWMARK Foundation Awards FFA Jackets

2. BUILD Conference Registration

1.  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 committed to provide a total of 100 FFA jackets to FFA members in Illinois with funds donated in Builta’s memory. The 25 jackets awarded in 2022 fulfill that commitment.

However, the Builta family has agreed to continue the program in 2023 and beyond. “Through the generous donations that were made when Mike passed away, we were able to establish this program for four years,” said Sheila Builta. “Along with my daughters Haley and Kelsey, I have decided to keep the program going. We have enjoyed reading all the applications over the years and seeing just what it means to be a part of FFA and what the jacket means to each applicant. I am grateful we are able to honor Mike in this way.”  Students submitted an essay explaining what an FFA jacket means to them and their goals as an FFA member.

The 2022 recipients are:

•  Faith Aber  - Bureau Valley FFA Wyanet, IL

•  LeeAnn Agee  - Maroa-Forsyth FFA Maroa, IL

•  Ali Ballinger - Triopia FFA Arenzville, IL

•  Avery Barnard - Wayne City FFA Wayne City, IL

•  Robin Barrett  - Streator FFA Streator, IL

•  John Barringer  - Clinton FFA Clinton, IL

•  Ethan Belsher  - Taylorville FFA Taylorville, IL

•  Rye Bliler  - Taylorville FFA Taylorville, IL

•  Katelyn Clapp - Macon-Meridian FFA Decatur, IL

•  Will Curtin - Taylorville FFA Blue Mound, IL

•  Grace Haack  - Rolling Meadows FFA Arlington Heights, IL

•  Peyton Kies -  Geneseo FFA Geneseo, IL

•  Dawsyn McDonald -  Geneseo FFA Geneseo, IL

•  Danielle Monsess - Newark FFA Newark, IL

•  Marilyn Morel  - Newark FFA Newark, IL

•  Logan Newberg - Clinton FFA Clinton, IL

•  Colton Snow - Breese Central FFA Breese, IL

•  Toby Steffen - Newark FFA Newark, IL

•  Cheyenne Stephens - Mahomet-Seymour FFA Mahomet, IL

•  Walker Stewart - Nokomis FFA Nokomis, IL

•  Cody Taylor - Streator FFA Streator, IL

•  Katrina Wahl - Bureau Valley FFA Walnut, IL

•  Lily Westphal - Newark FFA Newark, IL

•  Kendall Whiteaker - Serena FFA Marseilles, IL

•  Jacey Wilkins - Odin FFA Odin, IL

Builta was raised on a family farm near Bellflower, Illinois. 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, Illinois and GRAINCO FS in Ottawa, Illinois, 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.

2.BUILD Conference

The BUILD Conference is partnered with Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Association FFA and will be held at the Illinois State University, Bone Center, Normal, Illinois.  This conference is an overnight conference and registration will open on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. and registration closes on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.   The BUILD Conference is for Juniors and Seniors and the cost is $125 per student, $75 per advisor for Professional Development, and/or Chaperones/Advisors not wanting professional development $75.   These instructions will give the complete details for registration including cost, site, meals provided, food allergies/vegetarian form link, Illinois FFA Waiver Form, and available room blocks (we are still setting up the room blocks, so please check back often to get the current listing of hotels and how to register for the room blocks).  If you would like to use Hopper Funds, please contact Tammy Yard at tyard@illinoisffa.org before submitting your registration.  If you have any questions about the event and/or registration questions, please contact Patti Davis at pdavis@illinoisffa.org.

Teacher Professional Development Workshop Information is being finalized at this time.
Workshops will be held at Ropp Ag Building on November 21st from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and at the Bone Student Center on November 22nd from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Break-out sessions are scheduled to include Greenhouse Management/Wreath Making, Food Science Labs, Agricultural Mechanics, Equity/Diversity/Inclusion, AET Livestock Market Manager, All Things SAE and Updates from the IL FFA Center. 

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

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***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember*** 

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

2022-2023 CDE Calendar and General Information & 2022-23 Trading Post

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

Start/Reactivate an Alumni with Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters

2022-23 IAVAT Dues/Donations Registration Form - For Associate/Lifetime Dues, please email Lori at lcopsy@illinoisffa.org.

• October 11, 2022 - State Land Use CDE, Illinois State University, Illinois State University, ISU Farm,25578 ISU Farm Lane, Lexington, IL 61753.  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 13, 2022 - Illinois PAS Fall Conference, Illinois State University Hancock Stadium 

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

• October 17, 2022 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 

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

• October 21, 2022 - IACCAI Conference Registration ENDS at 11:59 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 - Juniors get the Priority for judging, Sophomores can apply but will be considered after the Juniors.

• November 1, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Ground Zero Application DUE - Sophomores get the Priority for judging, Freshmen can apply but will be considered after the Sophomores.

• November 1, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Letter of Intent DUE

• November 1, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Outstanding Member & Outstanding Chapter Applications DUE

• November 1, 2022 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 

• November 4, 2022 - BUILD Conference Registration ENDS at 11:59 p.m.  Please utilize the Trading Post with any additions/cancellation requests.

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

• November 7-11, 2022 - State FFA Officers Chapter Visits & LTS Schedule

• November 11, 2022 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• November 14-18, 2022 - State FFA Officers Chapter Visits & LTS Schedule

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

• November 19, 2022 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Meeting, IL FFA Center

• November 21-22, 2022 - BUILD Conference, Illinois State University, Bone Student Center, 132 N University St, Normal, IL 61761.  (Overnight Conference)

• November 23, 2022 - IL FFA Center Closes at 12:30 pm for Holiday.

• 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).

• November 29, 2022 - Illinois Foundation FFA Giving Tuesday

• December 3-6, 2022 - Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

• December 8, 2022 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 

• 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 13, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference Registration ENDS at 11:59 p.m.  Please utilize the Trading Post once it closes for any additions/cancellation requests.

• January 15, 2023 - American FFA Degree Applications submitted via AET by Midnight - ONLY the Applications.  No additional documents will be required.

• January 16, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• January 23-27, 2023 - American Degree Applicants will be notified of any issues or errors to correct and address in their application prior to their interview.  Applicants will be notified of their scheduled interview date

• 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, TBA, Champaign, IL.

• February 3-4, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference, Western Illinois University, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455

• February 6-8, 2023 - Virtual American FFA Degree Interviews

• February 7, 2023- Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 

• 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 - State Ag Ed CDE - Lesson Plans DUE 

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

• February 18 - 25, 2023 - National FFA Week

• March 1, 2023 - Sam Taylor Scholarships Application DUE

• March 1, 2023 - Illinois FFA State Officer Candidate Applications & Resumes Due to Illinois FFA Center - click here for more information

• March 1, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters FFA Leadership Camp Scholarship Application DUE - Freshmen & Sophomores get Priority Judging, Juniors can apply but will be considered after the Freshmen & Sophomores.

• March 2, 2023 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 

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

• March 4, 2023 - State Meats Evaluation & Technology CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00-9:30, Event starts at 10:00 am.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• March 4, 2023 - State Vet Science CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00-9:30, Event starts at 10:00 am.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• March 4, 2023 - State Ag Ed CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801. By Appointment Only.

• March 8, 2023 - District Proficiencies

• March 11, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Meeting, IL FFA Center, 10:00 a.m.

• March 15, 2023 - Selection Committee Applications DUE  - click here for a flyer

• March 17, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Dairy Cattle/Handlers 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).

• March 18, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 pm for State Food Science 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).

• March 25, 2023 - Illinois FFA State Proficiency Awards Day, Eisenhower High School, 1200 S 16th St, Decatur, IL 62521

• March 31, 2023 - State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE, Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801.  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).

• April 1, 2023 - National Chapter Award Application DUE.  ONLINE via AET. 

• April 1, 2023 - TENTATIVE State Food Science CDE, Site TBA. 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).

• April 6, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSING at 12:30 for the Easter Holiday

• April 7, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Livestock Reasons 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).

• April 7, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Horticulture 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).

• April 7, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Livestock Non-Reasons CDE - Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration A

• April 7, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Poultry 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).

• April 7, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• April 12, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting at the IL FFA Center

• April 15, 2023 - Illinois FFA State Officer Selection Committee, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• April 17, 2023 - IL Foundation FFA Board Meeting at the IL FFA Center

• April 18, 2023 - IL FFA Board Meeting at the IL FFA Center

• April 19, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Ag Business Management 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).

• April 20, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. and Results Due for State Ag Mechanics 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).

• April 20, 2023 - Results Due for Parliamentary Procedure LDE

• April 20, 2023 - Results Due for Conduct of Chapter Meetings

• April 21, 2023 - State Livestock Reasons/Non Reasons CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  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).

• April 21, 2023 - State Poultry CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  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).

• April 21, 2023 - State Horticulture CDE, Parkland College, 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821.  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).

• May 3, 2023 - State Ag Business Management CDE, District Sites TBA.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• May 4, 2023 - State Ag Mechanics CDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635.  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).

• May 4, 2023 - Parliamentary Procedure LDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635.  By Appointment Only

• May 4, 2023 - Conduct Chapter of Meetings LDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635.  By Appointment Only

• May 15, 2023 - Eldon Witt Student Teaching Scholarship Applications DUE

• May 23, 2023 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual 

• May 26, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSING at 2:30 p.m. for the Holiday

• May 29, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• May 30-31, 2023 - State FFA Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center

• June 13 - 15, 2023 - Illinois FFA State Convention, Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL 62702

• June 20 - 22, 2023 - IAVAT Conference, Sheraton Lisle Naperville Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Rd, Lisle, IL 60532, 

• July 24 - 27, 2023 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, 4-H Memorial Camp, 499 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL 61856