Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPIC:

• Happy 4th of July - the FFA Center is CLOSED, Tuesday, July 4, 2023.  We are celebrating our Freedom with great gratitude!

****NEW Information****

1. Account Balances need to be paid by August 1, 2023

2. 2022 - 2023 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2023

3. National FFA Update 

4. Illinois Department of Agriculture Extending the postmark deadline for Junior Exhibitors 

5. 95th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention Photos & Video

6. NFA Curriculum 

7. FFA Camp Packing List

1.  Reminder all Account Balances need to be paid by August 1, 2023

***AGAIN this year per the directive of the IAVAT Administrative Council, for all  Illinois FFA Chapters and any colleges/universities with an account at the Illinois FFA   Center:  any outstanding bills due to the Illinois FFA Center must be paid in full by August 1, 2023.  This includes bills from CDEs, conferences, camp, convention, dues, etc.

If outstanding bills are not paid by August 1, 2023, access to www.ilaged.org will be restricted until the outstanding debt is paid in full.  Turning off this access will not allow a program or teacher to register for events or begin the FFA roster process.  So please take time to review your account balance on www.ilaged.org to make sure those balances are paid.  

If you have any financial questions or inquiries about your balance, please contact Tammy Lynn Mullins tmullins@illinoisffa.org

If at any time you have questions or concerns about the policy, please contact Mindy Bunselmeyer at mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org

2. 2023 - 2024 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2023

Having a great summer??  I sure hope so, we know that many of you have had or are looking forward to officer retreats and have many amazing plans for the year ready to put into action.  As you are doing that, it’s a great time to complete your 2023 -2024 Strategic Plan.  

Just like in previous years, you can submit your Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre POA) in any format that your FFA chapter prefers.  The only requirement is that it is submitted electronically and received by the Illinois FFA Center by October 1, 2023.

The Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre POA) is a minimum standard requirement for Section E of the Incentive Funding Grant Application (IFGA).  You must submit a Chapter Strategic Plan ( Pre POA) by October 1, 2023, to receive any credit in Section E of the IFGA.  

The FFA Chapter can use any format they prefer, but all plans received must be sent electronically.  NO paper copies are needed.  

Steps to Complete the 2023 Chapter Strategic Plan Process: 

1. ALL FFA Chapters MUST Click here

2. ALL FFA Chapters MUST Answer the first 5 questions of the form.  

3. EITHER upload your own plan OR complete the form you have opened created by the Illinois FFA Center.

4. ALL Chapters MUST open this form REGARDLESS of what format you choose to do your Chapter Strategic Plan in.

5. Here are the Questions on the Chapter Strategic Plan form.  

6. Questions, email mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org

7. Please click here for Chapter Strategic Plan instructions.  

8. DISCLAIMER - If your school does allow access to uploading to Google forms, please email your Chapter Strategic Plan to intern@illinoisffa.org by Saturday, October 1, 2022.

9. There is NO NEED for emails or any other correspondence for submitting the Chapter Strategic Plan.   

10.  As a reminder, the Chapter Strategic Plan (Pre - POA) is due October 1, 2023.

Because everything is submitted electronically, it is dated when you complete the form, there is NO need to send this to your Section President or anyone else, simply print a copy of it for your records.  

ENJOY what’s left of your summer and have a GREAT year accomplishing your goals!

3.  National FFA Update 

Click here to view the update shared by National FFA during the most recent IAVAT conference.  

4.  Illinois Department of Agriculture Extending the postmark deadline for Junior Exhibitors 

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is extending the postmark deadline for Junior Exhibitors due to extraordinary circumstances related to recent wide-spread severe weather. Click here for more information and the full press release.  

All livestock entries must now be postmarked by Friday, July 7th.

5.  95th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention Photos & Video

Convention recordings uploaded to YouTube:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZz16RI7LWUHn7pgWEOvAKQpF17r5rVnL

Convention photos can be found on www.ilaged.org - Main page, scroll down to:  Illinois Ag Ed: Join the Fun!  Click on View All and you will see photo albums from all of our state events.  

6.  NFA Curriculum 

The curriculum was developed for the NFA and connected to the new NFA book. Friends from Iowa developed and just shared this with their teachers in Iowa. 

Here is the link:  

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PutpiYJMcDmo9np6h3XHCBD9mHuPwFTj?usp=sharing

7.  FFA Camp Packing List

Here are a few items we recommend you bring in order to make camp the BEST EVER:      

• Sleeping bag & pillow (bunk bed style accommodations in cabins)

• Appropriate clothing - (t-shirts - several changes)

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellant

• Towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and any other toiletries – good hygiene is expected and appreciated. 

• Bring footwear appropriate for outdoor showers. 

• Snacks (remember, there are no refrigerators in cabins), and vending machines are available at times during the camp experience. 

• Sports equipment (ball gloves, bats, football, softball, frisbee, etc.) 

• Flashlight - with batteries - don’t always count on a phone flashlight!

• Fan

A GREAT attitude for the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Experience!

**** 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.  

• 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 2, 2023 - Account Balances need to be paid 

• 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