Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - REMINDERS:  

• 2023 Illinois FFA Selection Committee - STUDENTS NEEDED - APP DUE Tomorrow!

Selection Committee is an amazing opportunity for FFA members and friends of the FFA, click here to check out an awesome video about being on Selection Committee.  The State FFA Officer Selection Committee application is due March 15, 2023.  If you have students that are interested in being on the 2023 Selection Committee click here to apply.  Click here for the Selection Committee flyer.  

• Second Semester Students added to the roster.  Just a reminder that if you have second-semester students who are not on your roster yet, please get them submitted.  If you have any questions, contact Tammy at tyard@illinoisffa.org.

****NEW Information****

1.  SVCC Accepts FFA State Degree for Credit

2. “Become a Veterinarian” Vet Camp

3.  2nd Annual WATER TESTING CHALLENGE MARCH - OCTOBER 13, 2023

4.  $2,000 Available to Ag Students with Jenner Ag Scholarship

5.  WELCOME to the Illinois FFA Center!

6.  Illinois FFA Board Updates

7. Our Hearts are FULL for our FFA Family

8. Middle School Conference- Registration is open for a 2nd session

1.  SVCC Accepts FFA State Degree for Credit

GREAT, groundbreaking news from SVCC - Sauk Valley Community College now accepts the Illinois FFA State Degree toward college credit. Area FFA students who have earned the State Degree qualify for agriculture credit at SVCC through Credit for Prior Learning.  These students can receive credit in agriculture courses based on the college’s Credit by Evaluation process. Completing the State Degree means this credit is well deserved and highlights the knowledge that FFA students have gained and their dedication to the agriculture industry. State Degree recipients can advance their college careers before even stepping foot on SVCC’s campus.  “We are excited to provide even greater access to higher education for our community and its students. The FFA State Degree demonstrates several learning outcomes that align to our agriculture programs and providing credit will assist many in their academic pursuits,” said Dr. Jon Mandrell, Vice President of Academics and Student Services.  “Completion of the FFA State Degree requires students to go above and beyond by participating in a wide variety of FFA activities and supervised ag experiences. We are happy to provide this credit evaluation which allows students to use the knowledge they obtained through completion of their FFA State Degree to assist them in jump-starting their college experience,” said Sasha Logan, Dean of Business, Career, and Technical Education.  

For more information, please contact Dr. Jon Mandrell at jon.d.mandrell@svcc.edu.

2. “Become a Veterinarian” Vet Camp

Vet Set Go and VCA Animal Hospitals are teaming up for a "Become a Veterinarian" Vet Camp Contest for 6th - 8th graders to win scholarships to attend Auburn University's Junior Vet Camp this summer, June 18-23, 2023. Entries close on March 31st. 

A total of 45 students will be selected from across the US - an entire class - to attend the most prestigious Junior Vet Camp in America. At camp, aspiring vets will have the chance to learn about veterinary medicine in Auburn University’s classrooms, laboratories, and outdoor facilities. Curriculum includes learning about surgery, first aid, parasitology, anatomy, and more, as well as gaining valuable mentoring about veterinary science careers. 

Here is a press release with more information (and photos).

3.  2nd Annual WATER TESTING CHALLENGE MARCH - OCTOBER 13, 2023

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

testing initiative challenge.  FFA chapters will develop and test hypotheses about nitrogen

movement and potential loss from various production agricultural field

settings. Participants will need to identify a minimum of 3 different

locations with differing water sources and management styles at each

site.

Once all the information has been collected, you will pick one (or more)

of the locations tested and create a report explaining your process,

hypothesis, results and providing some best management practice

recommendations moving forward.

The sample may take place in the spring, fall, or a combination of the two.

Examples:

• Water from a tile line from a no-till soybean field

• Surface run-off from a conventionally tilled cornfield

• Water from a creek next to a corn field planted with cover crops

• Water from tile lines from 2 neighboring corn fields; one with a cover crop and one without

• Water from a tile line and it was a tilled soybean field

How to Participate:  Notify Megan Dwyer at mdwyer@ilcorn.org or 309.200.5163. They will send you everything you need including test strips, background on the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, and details explaining what to include in your final report.

Prizes:

• 1st $2,500

• 2nd $1,250

• 3rd $1,250

• 4th - 10th $1,000

4.  $2,000 Available to Ag Students with Jenner Ag Scholarship

Jenner Ag is offering Illinois and Indiana high school and college students with a passion for agriculture the opportunity to be one of two $1,000 scholarship recipients for the 2023-2024 school year. This is the 12th year Jenner Ag will distribute ag scholarships.  “Facilitating additional opportunities for students passionate about ag is a priority. The industry is constantly growing, and we need future generations as passionate about this industry as we are to keep it moving forward,” says Steve Jones, CEO of Jenner Ag. “We are pleased to support their journey in the agriculture field and in turn, see their successes.”

To qualify for the Jenner Ag Furthering Ag Education Scholarship, students must be in their senior year of high school through their junior year of college pursuing a degree in the agriculture industry at a college or university in Illinois or Indiana.

Applications must be submitted or postmarked by July 31, 2023, and are available online at www.jennerag.com/scholarship-program or through any Jenner Ag employee. Scholarships will be awarded by August 31, 2023. Recipients will be notified by phone and/or e-mail. For questions, please visit the website or call 800-637-1692 x228.

5.  WELCOME to the Illinois FFA Center!

I am pleased to announce that Tammy Mullins joined the FFA Center on Monday, March 13, 2023, as our new Bookkeeping Specialist.  Tammy grew up on the family farm in Fulton County.  She graduated from Cuba High School and Robert Morris College.  Tammy lives in Pawnee with her husband Eric who is an accountant at Quorum Consulting Group in Springfield.  Tammy has 3 grown children all girls.  Brittany lives in Auburn with her husband and daughter Paisley.  Sammy Jo lives in Hazelwood, Mo and works at Purvis industries, and Brandi is in the Air Force stationed in Colorado.  She is very excited to join the FFA Center team!

Beginning on July 1, 2023, Sean Welch will be joining the FFA Center Team as the Associate Director of Student Recognition.  Sean grew up in rural Knox County and graduated from R.O.W.V.A. High School in 2018.  He was very active in FFA in high school and served as the 2017-2018 Section 4 President.  He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Agricultural Education in 2022.  Sean student taught with Jason Perry at LeRoy High school.  He has spent the last year teaching Agriculture and Industrial Arts at Shelbyville High School in Section 19.  He is very excited to continue working in Agriculture Education at the FFA Center helping students, teachers, and communities across the state. 

6.  Illinois FFA Board Updates

Click here to view the FFA Board meeting minutes from March 2, 2023.  

• The FFA Board has passed bringing forth the constitutional amendment to the 95th State Convention delegates of changing the word section to region. 

• Proposed Constitutional Change:  Illinois Association FFA rename the current 25 sections to 25 regions.  

• The Board took no action on allowing 5th and 6th-grade membership at this time, in hopes that IAVAT would discuss this topic during their annual conference in June to give the FFA board direction and possibly have another Town Hall to discuss with FFA members statewide some time in the Fall. 

• Updated Parliamentary Procedure Rules - click here for updated rules.  NOTE - “on the first six questions” was stricken from the rules effective immediately.  

7. Our Hearts are FULL for our FFA Family

Oh the joy and blessings of additions to the family!  The Illinois FFA Center Family welcomed Aurora (Rory) Marie Edgar on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

Rory is the daughter of John and Kiersten Edgar, Athens, IL.  Proud brother, John Luke and loving big sister, Olivia,  are bursting with pride at the arrival of their little sister.  

Congratulations to the Edgar family!  Words cannot begin to express the joy in our hearts for our FFA family.  

8. Middle School FFA Conference - space opened for more students to attend!

Due to the overwhelming response to the conference, we have opened a second session which will allow an additional 100 students to attend from 3-7pm at Lincoln Land College on Thursday, April 27th. The event registration will be closed when 100 students have been registered. With that being said, we are going to limit each school to registering SIX students. A promotional flier can be viewed here. When registering your students, you will be asked to provide a shirt size as they will be given a conference tee. Any students who have dietary restrictions or will need accommodations please share those with Casey Bolin (cbolin@ilaged.org). Each student will need to complete the C.A.R.E. Document in AET, please click this link for the instructions.  All conference questions or concerns should also be directed to Casey Bolin. 

CALENDAR PULLED FROM 2/21 LISTSERV ON 2/20/23

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

• CLICK HERE to view

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

Instructions on how to register for the IAVAT Conference.

Ag Legislative Seminar Hotel Room Blocks:

• Ramada, 3281 Northfield Dr, Springfield - Call 217-523-4000 - $75 plus tax.  Please mention you are an FFA Chapter.

• Wyndham City Centre, 700 E Adams St., Springfield - Call 217-789-1530 - Code IL FFA 2023 - $112 plus tax. (Room Block Closed 3/7/23)

2023 IL FFA State Convention Wyndham (Downtown) Springfield Hotel Room Link

President Abraham Lincoln's Hotel Rooms Sold Out for State Convention.

2023 IAVAT Conference - Sheraton Lisle Hotel Room Block Link - $123 Plus Tax, the room block closes Monday, May 22, 2023.  Please note the room block link is set to register for hotel rooms for Monday-Thursday, so please update to the dates that you need before submitting your registration.

2022-2023 CDE Calendar and General Information-Updated 3-9-23 & 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 C.A.R.E.S Waiver Form Listserv with Instructions - Required for all students attending conferences, leadership camp, and conventions.

• March 14, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

• 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 - State Awards Day, Eisenhower High School 1200 S. 16th Street, Decatur, IL 62521

• March 28, 2023 - Ag Legislative Seminar, Wyndham Hotel, 700 E Adams St., Springfield, IL or Ramada, 3281 Northfield Dr, Springfield - Call 217-523-4000 - $75 plus tax.  Please mention you are an FFA Chapter.

• March 29, 2023 - Ag Legislative Day, State Capitol - 9:00 Picture (Side of Capitol TBA) and then go in through security.  Registration will just be when picking up the baskets/luncheons.

• March 31, 2023 - State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE, Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., the 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 - State Food Science CDE, Southern Illinois University, Carbdonale. Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., the 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 - Honorary State Degree DUE - Teacher Application; Non-Teacher Application 

• 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 14, 2023 - Chapter President Application DUE

• April 15, 2023 - IL FFA Agriscience Fair Applications DUE

• 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 are 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 Ag Mechanics

• 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., and the 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.  The 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.  The 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 27, 2023 - Middle School Conference, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703.  

• May 1, 2023 - IL FFA WLC Trip Final Payment DUE

• May 1, 2023 - Top Section/Chapter Reporter Application DUE

• May 1, 2023 - Eldon Witt Scholarship Application DUE

• May 1, 2023 - IL FFA WLC Trip Final Payment DUE

• May 3-4, 2023 - Illinois Envirothon, Allerton Park, 4-H Camp, Monticello, IL

• 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., the 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 16, 2023 - Results DUE State Job Interview & Public Speaking Results

• May 16, 2023 - Results DUE Greenhand Quiz Bowl

• May 17, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

• May 22, 2023 - IAVAT Conference Sheraton Lisle -Naperville Hotel Room Block CLOSES (We might run out of rooms by this date, if so, please check hotels in the area for hotel rooms.)

• May 24, 2023 - State FFA Convention Registration CLOSES

• 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, 2023 - Results Due for Ag Issues

• May 30, 2023 - Mandatory Materials DUE for Ag Communications

• May 30, 2023 - Materials DUE for Public Speaking & Job Interview

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

• June 2, 2023 - IAVAT Conference Registration Late Fee Begins

• June 12, 2023 - State Ag Issues, Lincoln Land Community College,  5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 12, 2023 - State Ag Communications, Lincoln Land Community College,  5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 13, 2023 - State Public Speaking LDE, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 700 E Adams St, Springfield

• June 13, 2023 - State Job Interview LDE, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 700 E Adams St, Springfield

• June 13, 2023 - American Degree Dinner, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 700 E Adams, Springfield

• June 14, 2023 - Greenhand Quizbowl, BOS Center, 1 Convention Plaza, Springfield

• June 14, 2023 - State Awards Lunch, Wyndham City Centre, 700 E Adams, Springfield

• 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.

• June 25 - July 2, 2023 - IL FFA WLC Trip, Washington, DC

• July 3, 2023 - IL FFA Center Closing at 12:30 for Holiday

• July 4, 2023 - IL FFA Center Closed for Fourth of July

• July 10-14, 2023 - SIU State Officer Meeting

• July 21, 2023 - IL FFA Leadership Leave Early/Arrive Late Forms DUE to pdavis@illinoisffa.org.

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

• July 31, 2023 - Joint Board Onboarding & EDI Training, Site TBA

• August 1, 2023 - Joint FFA & IAVAT Board Meeting, IL FFA Center

• August 8-9, 2023 - State FFA Officer Meeting & State Fair Set-Up, Springfield, IL

• August 10, 2023 - IL State Fair Parade, Springfield, IL

• August 10-20, 2023 - IL State Fair, Springfield, IL

• August 19, 2023 - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Tickets Late Fee Begins

• August 28, 2023 - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Tickets Registration CLOSES

• August 29-31, 2023 - Farm Progress Show, Decatur, IL

• September 1, 2023 - IL FFA Center Closing at 12:30 for Holiday

• September 4, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Labor Day Holiday

• September 17, 2023 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Game, IL Foundation FFA Fundraiser, Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

• September 22, 2023 - Elite Conference, Heartland College, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL 61761

• September 23, 2023 - State Horse CDE, Black Hawk College East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, Galva, IL

• September 30, 2023 - State Forestry CDE, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901

• October 9, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• November 1-4, 2023 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• November 10, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• November 18, 2023 - State Ag Sales, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• November 22, 2023 - IL FFA Center Closing at 12:30 for Holiday

• November 23-24, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• December 9, 2023 - State Agronomy & Dairy Foods CDEs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL