CONVENTION TIP of the DAY - Monday, May 29, 2023 - Workshops

Click here to view the 2023 Illinois FFA State Convention Workshop Schedule.  

Workshop Schedule and Descriptions 

Workshops take place on the lower level of the Bank of Springfield Center.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

TimeRoomWorkshop Title and Presenter

10:00 a.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

10:00 a.m.B4E“Crop Detective Academy:  The Case of the Missing Yield”

Illinois Certified Crop Advisors, Karen Corrigan and Stephanie Porter

10:00 a.m.B4W“Giving Back to the Community”

ImpactLife – Jim Watts

10:00 a.m.B9“Can you Get Out?”

Past State Officers – Joey Birrittier and Ryan Reeverts

10:30 a.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

10:30 a.m.B6E & W“CREW Engagement”

Section Presidents

11:00 a.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

11:00 a.m.B4E“Crop Detective Academy:  The Case of the Missing Yield”

Illinois Certified Crop Advisors, Karen Corrigan and Stephanie Porter

11:00 a.m.B4W“Jeopardy!”

Illinois State University

11:30 a.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

11:30 a.m.B6E & W“Let’s ROCK!”

Gracie Murphy, National FFA Eastern Region Vice President

11:30 a.m.B9“Find Your Future in ACES”

University of Illinois

12:00 p.m.B4E“Crop Detective Academy:  The Case of the Missing Yield”

Illinois Certified Crop Advisors, Karen Corrigan and Stephanie Porter

12:00 p.m. B8“ELECTRIFY Leadership Opportunities:

Hunter Adkins, Mississippi FFA State Officer

12:30 p.m.B4W“Giving Back to the Community”

ImpactLife – Jim Watts

12:30 p.m.B9“ELECTRIFY Leadership Opportunities”

Kansas FFA State Officers

1:00 p.m.B4E“Rock Your Resume!”

Madison Kimpling, GROWMARK

1:00 p.m.B8“ELECTRIFY Leadership Opportunities”

Robert Eselby Connecticut FFA State Officer

3:30 p.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

3:30 p.m.B4E“A Career in Turf Management”

Central Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association

3:30 p.m.B8“Unlocking Saluki Success”

Southern Illinois University

4:00 p.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

4:00 p.m.B4E“Jeopardy!:

Illinois State University

4:00 p.m.B6E & W“ELECTRIFY Leadership Opportunities”

Nevada FFA State Officers

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

11:00 a.m.B4E“Envision Opportunity – Set Yourself Apart”

United Prairie

11:00 a.m.B6E & W“CREW Engagement”

Section Presidents

11:30 a.m. B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

11:30 a.m.B8“Unlocking Saluki Success”

Southern Illinois University

12:00 p.m.B1“Teach Ag”

Program Advisors, FCAE

12:00 p.m.B4E“Envision Opportunity – Set Yourself Apart”

United Prairie

12:00 p.m.B9“What is PAS and what an it do for you?”

Illinois PAS Officers

12:30 p.m.B4W“Jeopardy!”

Illinois State University

12:30 p.m.B8“ELECTRIFY Leadership Opportunities”

Visiting State Officers

1:00 p.m.B4W“Giving Back to the Community”

ImpactLife – Jim Watts

1:00 p.m.B6E & W“Let’s ROCK!”

Gracie Murphy, National FFA Eastern Region Vice President

1:00 p.m.B9“Find Your Future in ACES:

University of Illinois

Workshop Descriptions

A Career in Turf Management

Central Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association

Tuesday – 3:30 p.m. Room B4E

The workshop will cover the many different careers in turf management along with the many different routes to get started.  Golf course management and the opportunities it can provide will be the focus.

Can you Get Out?

Past State Officers Joey Birrittier and Ryan Reeverts

Tuesday – 10:00 a.m. Room B9

In this interactive group activity, Joey and Ryan will see if you can figure out how to work together to get through the lockboxes in order to make it out.  Come join the fun!

CREW Engagement

Section Presidents

Tuesday – 10:30 a.m. Room B6E & W

Wednesday – 11:00 a.m. Room B6E & W

CREW (Chapter Representatives Engagement Webinars) is in its second year and is ever-growing!  CREW provides a way for FFA members to be involved at the state level throughout the year and empowers them to contribute to the conversations and ways of connecting FFA members with more opportunities throughout FFA.  Join some of your Section Presidents for fun games and to find out how you can be a part of CREW!

Crop Detective Academy:  The Case of the Missing Yield

Illinois Certified Crop Advisors-Karen Corrigan and Stephanie Porter

Tuesday – 10:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 12:00 p.m. Room B4E

Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) will guide you through an escape room-type puzzle to determine the yield stealing perpetrator.  Do you have what it takes to be a CCA and take action before more yield is lost?

ELECTRIFY Leadership Opportunities

Visiting State Officers

Tuesday – 12:00 p.m. Room B8: 12:30 p.m. Room B9; 1:00 p.m. Room B8;

4:00 p.m. Room B6E & W

Wednesday – 12:30 p.m. Room B8

Join State Officers from other states to take the opportunity to spark your interest in FFA and expand your potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success!

Envision Opportunity – Set Yourself Apart

United Prairie

Wednesday – 11:00 a.m.; 12:00 p.m. Room B4E

Join United Prairie as they share career skills that will help set you apart and make you stand out to employers as well as open up countless new opportunities for you to take!

Find Your Future in ACES

University of Illinois

Tuesday – 11:30 a.m. Room B9

Wednesday – 1:00 p.m. Room B9 

Join current students in the College of ACES to learn about their college experience and the excellent resources available.  They will explore career pathways, classroom experiences, and life as a college student.  You are sure to learn something new!

Giving Back to the Community

ImpactLife/Jim Watts

Tuesday – 10:00 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. Room B4W

Wednesday – 1:00 p.m. Room B4W

This workshop will discuss a way for chapters to give back to the community by hosting a blood drive.  This workshop will discuss the logistics of hosting a blood drive at the school or in the community.

Jeopardy!

Illinois State University

Tuesday – 11:00 a.m.; 4:00 p.m. Room B4W

Wednesday – 12:30 p.m. Room B4W

Test your knowledge level on various topics of agriculture we see in Illinois! Students from Illinois State University plan on taking you through a game of Jeopardy! where you can earn points for your team from correct answers. See if you know Illinois agriculture like these college students and maybe learn a new fact or two!

Let’s ROCK!

Gracie Murphy, National FFA Eastern Region Vice President

Tuesday – 11:30 a.m. Room B6E & W

Wednesday – 1:00 p.m. Room B6E & W

Students will learn how to see the value and add value to others in their lives while recognizing the ROCKstars they already are.  

Rock Your Resume!

Madison Kimpling, GROWMARK

Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. Room B4E

Not sure where to start with building your resume? Want to learn how you can rock your resume and stand out? Come join us to learn more tips and tricks and how to get off a blank page.

Teach Ag

Program Advisors, FCAE

Tuesday – 10:00 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 3:30 p.m.; 4:00 p.m. Room B1

Wednesday – 11:30 a.m.; 12:00 p.m. Room B1

Come and learn about one of the most in demand and rewarding careers out there- Agriculture Education!  In this interactive session, you will get to know about an important career that makes an impact on the future.  Could you be an agriculture teacher?  Come find out!

Unlocking Saluki Success

SIU Carbondale Agbassadors

Tuesday – 3:30 p.m. Room B8

Wednesday – 11:30 a.m. Room B8

Put your detective skills to the test as you work alongside fellow FFA members to solve puzzles, find clues, and unlock success! Join SIU Agriculture for an interactive experience that will set you up for success during and even after you take off your blue jacket. Explore what opportunities await you as a leader in agriculture and as a future Saluki.

What is PAS and what can it do for you?

Illinois PAS Officers

Wednesday – 12:00 p.m. Room B9

Have you ever wondered what happens after you graduate high school and leave FFA? How can you stay involved in agriculture, compete in state-wide contests, gain valuable leadership experience and meet other college students from across the state? PAS is how! In this workshop, you will learn the basics of what the Professional Agriculture Students organization has to offer and how you can get involved as soon as you start your college and career journey!