Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - REMINDERS:  

• 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.

• National Chapter Award Application is DUE April 1, 2023.  Did we mention the National Chapter Award application is DUE Saturday, April 1, 2023?  No fooling, this is a 2nd YEAR for this deadline, so don’t forget the 2023 National Chapter Award Application is DUE Saturday, April 1, 2023.  

• National Chapter Award Application Judges NEEDED:  Speaking of the National Chapter Award, we need judges:  Click here if you are willing or interested in judging the National Chapter Award Applications.  Round 1 judging will take place online, it will begin April 7, 2023, and is to be completed by April 16, 2023.  Round 2 judging will also take place online and begins on April 20, 2023, and is to be completed by April 27, 2023. Round 1 Judges will score all three activities in an area.  In both rounds of judging,  judges will give scores to the area the are assigned to judge; for example, Growing Leaders are expected to score all three activities in that area for a set number of applications.  The number of applications each judge will be asked to score will depend on both the number of judges we have and the applications submitted.  ****  We will have a Zoom meeting to provide training for judging the National Chapter Award application.   After Round 1 judging is concluded, applications will be sorted again and then place into the appropriate list in AET to then be shared and scored with those who judge Round 2.  Both Round 1 and Round 2 scoring will be conducted via AET and the electronic scoring system. 

****NEW Information****

1.  Alumni Camp Scholarships

2.  The GROWMARK Foundation Scholarship

3. March 1, 2023 CREW Meeting - Town Hall Recording 

4. Rural Mental Health Summit 

1. 2023 IL FFA Alumni and Supporters Camp Scholarships

Congratulations!  The following students will receive a 2023 Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Leadership Camp Scholarship.  We received 28 applications and we were able to give 19 camp scholarships.  

• Tucker Snook, Cambridge

• Alex Paul, Cisne

• Kevin Morris, Eldorado

• Chloe Ruhl, Galva

• Laila Shoot, Kansas

• Aubrey Stewart, Maroa-Forsyth

• Savannah Cole, Mattoon

• Kiryn Schaer, Midland

• Layni Capps, Mt. Vernon

• Macy Moran, Neoga

• Miley Crow, New Berlin

• Toby Steffen, Newark

• Aramis Simmons, Normal

• Gabby Curtner, Sandoval

• Layla Hufstedler, Somonauk Leland Sandwich

• Grace Wetzell, Sterling

• Palmer Phillis, Streator

• Madison Richmond, West Prairie

• Owen Rigg, Williamsfield

The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters recently had their annual meeting and auction.  We had 21 chapters bring Chapter Baskets.  Due the amount of money we raised with the Chapter Basket Auction, we were also able to give 15 2023 IL FFA Leadership Camp Scholarships and the winning chapters are:

• Hinckley-Big Rock - Best Basket

• Bushnell-Prairie City

• Cambridge

• Central A&M

• Cisne

• Cissna Park

• Eldorado

• Hamilton County

• Maroa-Forsyth

• Mendota

• Mt. Vernon

• Somonauk Leland Sandwich

• Waterloo

• Wayne City

• Williamsfield

Thank you to everyone that applied for a scholarship or brought a Chapter Basket to our auction.  We had a record-breaking year and raised $45,827 that will be used for scholarships to IL FFA members throughout the state.

2.  The GROWMARK Foundation Scholarship

Exciting #scholarship news! To continue contributing to the future of agriculture, the GROWMARK Foundation Scholarship program is providing 55 scholarships of $2,000 each to students pursuing #agriculture and #business-related degrees or certificates at colleges, universities, and technical schools in the United States and Ontario, Canada. #scholarshipopportunities #GROWMARKFoundation

Learn more: http://bit.ly/3FkKRUn

Apply today: http://bit.ly/3FfwArZ

3. March 1, 2023 CREW Meeting - Town Hall Recording 

Great discussions, super proud of these students for sharing their testimonies.  If you did not get a chance to be at the CREW meeting for the constitutional amendment discussion, be sure to check it out - Town Hall Recording.  Again, props to the students who stepped up to share their thoughts and opinions.  

4. Rural Mental Health Summit 

An opportunity for dialogue between Illinois agricultural leaders and health professionals to share, learn and develop relationships so we can better serve Illinois rural residents together.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023 - MEMORIAL LEARNING CENTER 228 W MILLER ST | SPRINGFIELD, IL - Registration 9 am | Summit 10 am-2 pm Lunch provided

**** 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 25, 2023 - State Awards Day, Eisenhower High School 1200 S. 16th Street, Decatur, IL 62521.  Registration 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

• 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).  D1 - Highland Comm. College & Geneseo High School; D2-D4 TBA; D5 - Wabash Valley College & Red Bud High School

• 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 1, 2023 - FY24 Fair Contract DUE

• 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