Celebrate Illinois FFA Center Staff, an Illinois Ag Teacher, Illinois FFA members and SEVERAL Updates

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	Celebrate Illinois FFA Center Staff, an Illinois Ag Teacher, Illinois FFA members and SEVERAL Updates
	Mindy Bunselmeyer 4/28/2020 7:00:00 AM

	*****TOP PRIORITY - ACTION REQUIRED*** STATE PROFICIENCY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS LAST CALL to submit photos for state proficiency finalists! Click here to view the previous listserv with more information and the link to submit photos. All photos must be uploaded by TODAY at 4pm (Tuesday, April 28, 2020) to be included in the announcement of state winners. The state officers are putting together a special video announcement of all state proficiency winners to be published on the Illinois Association FFA Facebook page Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 4pm. A listserv with official results will be posted immediately following the release of the results on Facebook. Looking forward to sharing this GREAT news with all of you very soon! STATE FFA CONVENTION SURVEY Click here to view the previous listserv with more information. If you have not done so already, please complete the survey, and send to members, officers, and supporters to provide as much feedback as possible for the FFA to discuss at their board conference call later this week. Thank you for waiting patiently as more information and input unfolds. NATIONAL CHAPTER APPLICATION DUE & JUDGES NEEDED Click here to view the previous listserv with more information. Applications must be submitted by midnight on May 1, 2020. Judges are still needed for Round 1 (May 6-10). Must sign up by April 30, even if you had previously signed up for judging earlier in April. NAAE AWARD APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AND DUE MAY 1 More information and application materials are available on NAAE.org Submit application materials to lnelson@illinoisffa.org by May 1, 2020 to be considered for state judging to advance to regional or national judging later in the summer. ***NEW INFORMATION & UPDATES*** Celebrate our Staff - Tammy Yard, Proudly Serving Illinois FFA Center since April 30, 2007 IAVAT Board Updates ISBE Updates Virtual Contest Opportunities (cont.) Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair Written Report - Due May 1 2020-21 National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA Announced FFA Announces Scholarship Winners Ag Ed/FFA State Chats Illinois FFA Center Hours & Updates Celebrate our Staff - Tammy Yard, Proudly Serving Illinois FFA Center since April 30, 2007 Tammy Yard is serving as the Illinois FFA Center Foundation and Leadership Specialist. She began working for the Illinois FFA Center on April 30, 2007. Her major responsibilities include Illinois Foundation FFA local collection drive, FFA membership, FFA state convention preparation, FFA officer management, FFA Camp and other duties as assigned. Tammy is a graduate of Mt. Pulaski High School and Lincoln Land Community College. She and her husband Troy both grew up in agriculture families. Troy is an accounts manager for Gro Alliance Seed Company. They are the parents of Miranda and Jake. The Illinois FFA Center is celebrating 13 years of Tammy Yard, this Thursday, April 30, 2020. Help us celebrate Tammy too, drop her a note, an email, a text, or a Facebook message, let her know how much she is valued by our Illinois Agricultural Education and FFA family! IAVAT Board Updates The following updates are provided from the IAVAT Board webinar on Monday, April 26, 2020: There will be no state contests held through the duration of the extended Stay at Home order (May 30, 2020). The IAVAT Board is currently working with contest hosts to organize and release information regarding many virtual contests to be offered throughout the month of June. If the Stay at Home order is lifted by the time of these events, they will be considered the official IAVAT sanctioned contest and the winner will represent Illinois FFA at the National FFA Convention. If the Stay at Home order is still in effect, contests should continue as invitational events, and the highest-ranking team from the 2018-2019 contest that did not compete at the National FFA Convention last fall will represent Illinois FFA at the next National FFA Convention. The previous motion to eliminate Reasons from a potential virtual Livestock contest was reconsidered, and the IAVAT board is working with contest hosts to try and incorporate Reasons into a virtual contest in June. In order to conduct a virtual state Job Interview contest in June, sections must conduct and submit section results to the district by May 22, 2020 and districts must conduct and submit district results to the state by June 2, 2020. Sections and districts that have not already conducted these events should reach out to teachers and participants to determine any potential technology issues and work with IAVAT board reps and the State FFA Office to resolve any issues or make appropriate accomodations for students to compete. As a reminder, the 2020 Dairy Handlers and Ag Mechanics contests have been canceled, and the highest-ranking participants from the 2018-2019 contest that did not compete at the National FFA Convention last fall will represent Illinois FFA at the next National FFA Convention. The 2020 Ag Issues CDE has been postponed to Fall 2020 with date, site, and further details to be released at a later date. At this time, there is no official update regarding the 2020 IAVAT Conference. The Board of Directors is continuing to monitor the situation and is working with the hotel and conference center to determine the future of the event and plan for alternatives as necessary. For those that have voiced concerns regarding grant payments for conference registration, please see updates below from ISBE. ISBE Updates -Guidance on CTSOs - #59 -ISBE Guidance on Grants - All state grants are extended to June 30, 2021 - -ISBE guidance on 3 Circle FFA & SAE Grant - #40, page 14 Virtual Contest Opportunities (cont.) In a continuation of last week’s listserv sharing virtual contest opportunities from around the country, click here to view further information regarding the 2020 Murray State Field Day virtual event via Google Classroom. This is designed to be a FUN, SCALED BACK, ENGAGING, and EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. It's also open to middle school and high school chapters! We will release this event Monday, April 27, and all "judging cards" must be complete and submitted by Monday, May 4. Classes will include: Livestock (3) Dairy (1) Equine (1) Poultry (2) Meat ID (1) Tobacco (3) Floriculture ID (1) Nursery/Landscape ID (1) Seed ID (1) Weed ID (1) Tool ID (1) You may have students choose to do them all, or specialize in just one area - the choice is up to them and you! Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair Written Report - Due May 1 Students participating in the 2020 Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair must submit their written manuscript report by May 1st. Reports can be uploaded at this link. 2020-21 National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA Announced Congratulations to the Stephanie Thoms, Altamont High School, newly selected National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA for the 2020-21 school year. See who else made the list. Visit FFA.org/teacherambassadors/ for more on the program. FFA Announces Scholarship Winners FFA is happy to announce the 2020-21 National FFA scholarship recipients. As mentioned on Sunday, April 19, 2020, Illinois FFA members earned over $190,000.00 in scholarships. This year, 1,323 students were awarded $2,026,288 in scholarships from 103 sponsors. Find the UPDATED list at FFA.org/Scholarships. Ag Ed/FFA State Chats Join us for a Chat on Thursday, April 30, 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 llinois FFA Center Hours & Updates The Illinois FFA Center is currently closed through Sunday, May 31, 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. 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: Virtual Contest Opportunities Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center 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. 2020 - 2021 Illinois FFA CDE Schedule Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 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: 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 listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 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. 2020 Officer Award Applications Chapter President Award Application - DUE May 1, 2020 Chapter Reporter Award Application - DUE May 1, 2020 Section Reporter Award Application - DUE May 1, 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Office Closings: March 23, 2020 through May 31, 2020 - FFA CENTER IS CLOSED Monday, May 25, 2020 - Memorial Day Illinois Foundation FFA: Illinois Foundation FFA April Update Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. 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. Illinois Corn Marketing Boards Supports Your Local Chapter 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. 2020 GROWMARK Essay Contest Results Click here to view the listserv message sent by the FFA Center. National FFA: National FFA Updates Please find a National FFA report at: https://ffa.box.com/s/m7h4aousg0fk73cubhfji8d2oldhnzci. Find a detailed list of updates and additional national information at: https://ffa.box.com/s/m7h4aousg0fk73cubhfji8d2oldhnzci 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/. DATES & DEADLINES - Remember March 23, 2020 through May 31, 2020 - FFA CENTER IS CLOSED 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 5 - National Chapter Award Round 1 Judges Webinar, 4:00 p.m. May 6 - 10 - Round 1 National Chapter Award Online Judging May 12 - National Chapter Award Round 2 Judges Webinar, 4:00 p.m. May 13 - 20 - Round 2 National Chapter Award Online Judging 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 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 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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