HEADS UP ITEMS:  

Illinois FFA Center Hours & Updates

• The Illinois FFA Center is currently closed through Tuesday, April 7, 2020, by Executive Order of the Governor.  FFA Center staff will be working remotely as time and technology allow. Thank you for your patience in our delayed response.

FFA Board Updates - Per the Press Conference held by the Governor's Office

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center on 3/20/2020

• NOTICE - The boards have currently made decisions for all events and deadlines through April 10, 2020. All events and deadlines beyond April 10, 2020 are still being discussed based on evolving information available, and updates will be provided once decisions are made about future events and deadlines.  Your patience and understanding that all future events are PENDING further information is GREATLY appreciated.  

IAVAT Board Updates

• NAAE Awards Available at NAAE.org

  • Submit apps to lnelson@illinoisffa.org by May 1, 2020

• Ag Issues

  • Deadline extended for District Intent forms until May 1, 2020

  • All forum requirements removed from contest for 2020

Ag Ed/FFA State Chats

• Join us for a Chat on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. 

• Webinar information:

• Dial-in number: (712) 451-0000

• Access code: 825723 PIN

• Online meeting ID: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/mbunselmeyer

• Q & A with State Staff

  • Please click here to view the answers to many of the questions submitted

Items in this listserv:

****NEW Information****

1. National Chapter Award Submission

2. State Proficiency Awards Record Book Submission

1.  National Chapter Award  Application Submission 

Click here to submit your 2019 - 2020 National Chapter Award Application.  MUST BE submitted by midnight on May 1, 2020. Click here to view the National Chapter Award Application Ruling Process document from National FFA, it highlights deductions and reasons for, please be sure to review it prior to completing your National Chapter Award Application.  

NOTICE:  When naming your National Chapter Award application PLEASE name it by stating Section # and then Chapter Name.  

Examples:  15 Lincolnwood, 6 Central, 16 Central A & M, 22 Central at Breese

2. State Proficiency Awards Record Book Submission.  

Click here to submit your District Proficiency Award winner’s record books, as well as Star books and Discovery Star applications.  The FFA Center already has access to the Star applications, so no need to upload Star applications. Based on the results of the survey sent to our teachers, many of you have access now to the books or the books are already in AET.  The dates of when they have to be uploaded by and when they will be judged are still to be determined, but we will let you know as soon as we know we can move forward on this.  

**** PREVIOUS Information Shared****

**** WORTH Sharing Again****

CONVENTION Information:

FFA Convention Theme Video Call to Assist 

• CLICK HERE to submit your video 

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  - CHS and Dakota Access Pipeline

• 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, DRUMLINE, 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

• April 15 - State Convention Drumline 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:

Golden Owl Certificate Design Contest

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

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:

Gratitude Time - Click here for a google form where you can send a "Note of Thanks" card to anyone who has impacted your life! 

Operation Rising Sun

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

Online Judging for State Proficiency Awards

• Please click here to sign up to judge Proficiency records.  

2020 Officer Award Applications

• Chapter President Award Application - Currently DUE May 1, 2020

• Chapter Reporter Award Application - Currently DUE May 1, 2020

• Section Reporter Award Application - Currently DUE May 1, 2020 2020

Illinois FFA State FFA Degree Approved Candidates

• Click here to view the list of 2020 Illinois FFA State FFA Degree Approved Candidates

2020 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Illinois Approved Candidates

• Click here to view the list of 2020 Illinois FFA Candidates to be recommended for the American FFA Degree

COVID-19 UPDATES:

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

National Chapter Award (NCA) Judges Needed

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

Cards Vs. Cubs, Saturday, September 12, 2020

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

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 (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.  

Illinois FFA Center:

Illinois FFA Center Survey

• PLEASE Click here to complete a survey that will provide guidance and direction for the Illinois FFA Center and State Staff.

Ag Ed/FFA State Chats

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

John Edgar Named SIUC College of Ag Outstanding Early Career Alumni

• Click here to view the listserv message sent by the 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 23, 2020 through April 7, 2020 - FFA CENTER IS CLOSED

• Friday, April 10, 2020 - Good Friday

• Monday, May 25, 2020 - Memorial Day

Illinois Foundation FFA:

Illinois Foundation FFA March 13, 2020 Update

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

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:

Tractor Supply Company; Grants for Growing program

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

2020 Zoetis Industry Support Program

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

Wayne Wackerlin Memorial Grant 

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

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 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 via Phone FOR Stars ONLY, Illinois FFA Center - Springfield

• April 9 - Illinois Foundation FFA Annual Meeting - Conference Call/Webinar Meeting 

• March 23, 2020 through April 7, 2020 - FFA CENTER IS CLOSED

• 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 - Agriscience Fair Application DUE

• April 15 - State Convention Band Application DUE

• April 15 - State Convention Chorus Application DUE

• April 15 - State Convention Talent Application DUE

• April 15 - State Convention Drumline 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 - National Chapter Award Application DUE - ONLINE

• 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