Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS:

• NOTICE in the CDE Calendar that Dairy Cattle and Food Science were moved back one week, it has been reflected in the calendar but I wanted to make sure you are aware.  

• CONGRATULATIONS to Taylorville FFA on being in the TOP 3 in the Nation in the Strengthening Agriculture Division of the National Chapter Award application.  Taylorville FFA will present on the Finals Hall Stage on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 3;30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.  

• The State Scoop - the first Podcast episode entitled, “Creating a Positive Classroom Culture”, featuring Kindra Callahan, ag teacher/FFA Advisor at Kewanee High School, is available now on Spotify or you can access it directly from this link!  You can also learn more about the podcast, submit questions, get additional resources, and much more on ilaged.org/podcast.

• License Plate Update - At this time, we have had less than 100 people turn in the form and $10.00 to get the Illinois FFA license plate commissioned.  If each FFA Chapter gets ONLY 6 people to send in the form and the $10.00 we are there, but sadly friends we are VERY short of this goal of having 2000 people complete the form and submit the $10.00.  Click here for the original message about the license plate.  You can still help in three easy steps:

1. Download and print this form.

2. Fill the form out, including “Illinois FFA” for “Name of Specialty Plate Being Requested”

3. Send the form in to the Secretary of State’s office with $10 via check (recommended) or cash.  

****NEW Information****

1. 2024 State FFA Convention Hotel Room Reservation Links

2. Illinois FFA Center Cleanout - Items Available

3. Message from IAVAT Member Services Committee

4.  Illinois FFA Conference Agendas/Flyers - BUILD, Ground Zero & Middle School

5. 5th & 6th Grade Membership Town Hall

1.  2024 State FFA Convention Hotel Room Reservations Links

The 2024 State FFA Convention will be Tuesday, June 11 - Thursday, June 13, 2024.  The following hotels downtown have opened their hotel room reservation links and both are set up for reservations Monday-Thursday:

President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E Adams St, Springfield.  The cost is $115 plus tax.

Wyndham Springfield City Centre Hotel, 700 E Adams St, Springfield.  The cost is $113 plus tax.

2. Illinois FFA Center Cleanout - Items Available

On office cleanout day, we inventoried items at the Illinois FFA Center, we have an abundant supply of large envelopes ( 15” by 20”).  They are the envelopes that we used to have your state convention chapter packets in. We also have two PVC pipe backdrop displays that we no longer use, we have approximately 100 feet of 2-inch PVC pipe.  If you would like any of either item, please click here and let us know how many you want and what event you would like us to bring them to for you to pick them up.  

3.  Message from IAVAT Member Services Committee

On behalf of the Member Services Committee of IAVAT, we would like to remind everyone about a few resources on www.ilaged.org

• Click on the Teach tab in the top banner of ilaged.org

• Then click About IAVAT

• Scroll down the page that appears and look on the left-hand side of the page where it says "membership memos" 

Membership memos

Whenever you or someone in the AgEd family have celebrations or need support, please complete the form linked on the website!

• Underneath Membership memos is a section titled "IAVAT/NAAE Teacher Crisis Fund"

IAVAT/NAAE Teacher Crisis Fund

This section outlines what the crisis relief fund is designed for, who is eligible, where to apply and a place to donate.

We hope this reminder of these resources is beneficial to you should you ever need them! 

Sincerely,

IAVAT Member Services Committee

4.  Illinois FFA Conference Agendas/Flyers

Looking for that much-needed information about start times, agenda length, etc??  Look no further…

• Middle School Conference Agenda and Flyer - Click Here

• BUILD Conference Agenda and Flyer - Click Here

• Ground Zero Conference Agendas and Flyers - Click Here

5. 5th & 6th Grade Membership Town Hall

The Illinois FFA Board will be holding a Town Hall prior to the FFA Board meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023.  FFA members, advisors and others are encouraged to provide their testimony in favor or oppose allowing 5th and 6th Grade membership.  

We are asking specifically on the form:  

"What is your stance on middle school membership?" 

• Allow 5th and 6th grade membership to existing 7th and 8th

• Allow 6th grade membership (but not 5th) to existing 7th and 8th

• Keep current membership requirements (7th and 8th)

• Uncertain

Five pro and five con testimonials will be randomly selected and asked to verbally present their opinions to everyone attending the Town Hall meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023.  Questions will also be collected and addressed during the Town Hall in order to keep everyone better informed.  During the Town Hall, a straw poll will be taken from everyone in attendance.  The Illinois FFA Board will then review the results of the testimonials and straw poll vote from the Town Hall to determine if a Constitutional Amendment will come before the FFA delegates at the 96th State FFA Convention, in June 2024.  Please click here to provide your testimonials or submit your questions.  

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

• CLICK HERE to view

• IAVAT Dues & Donations Link (Unavailable due to errors, email lcopsy@illinoisffa.org for an invoice.)

• 2023-24 CDE/LDE Calendar Updated 9-25-23

• C.A.R.E. Form in AET Instructions

• Fall & Spring Conferences Registration & Site Information

• 2024 State FFA Convention Downtown Room Reservations Links

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

• October 5, 2023 - National Convention Prep Day, IAA Building, Normal, IL

• October 2 - 6, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 2, 9, 11, 20, and 23

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

• October 11, 2023 - State Land Use, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, IL

• October 12 - 13, 2023 - IACCAI Conference, Heartland Community College, Bloomington, IL

• October 16 - 20, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 1, 4, 7, 16, and 21

• October 23, 2023 - Illinois Foundation FFA Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL (Tentative)

• October 24, 2023 - Virtual State Officer Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

• October 25, 2023 - Fall Middle School Conference Registration ENDS & Food Allergies/Vegetarian Form DUE

• October 25, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL 

• October 26, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• October 31, 2023 - IAVAT & IACCAI Dues Deadline

• November 1, 2023 - Administrator Approval for FFA Rosters DUE

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

• November 3, 2023 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Ag Sales CDE to IL FFA Center 

• November 4, 2023 - State Ag Sales Results Due

• November 6, 2023 - BUILD Conference Registration Closes & Food Allergies/Special Meal Form DUE

• November 7, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• November 7, 2023 - Fall PAS Conference Registration Due

• November 8, 2023 - Fall Middle School Conference at ICC, East Peoria or Southeastern Illinois College, Harrisburg

• November 8, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Scholarships Applications Due for WLC & Ground Zero Conference

• November 8, 2023 - CREW Meeting, Virtual, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• November 9, 2023 - ICAE Meeting, (site tentative)

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

• November 13 - 17, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 6, 8, 12, and 17

• November 14, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• November 14, 2023 - IAVAT Administrative Council Meeting, FFA Center, Springfield

• November 16, 2023 - PAS Conference, ISU, Hancock Stadium, North Main St, Normal, IL

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

• November 18, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Council Meeting, Illinois FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• November 20-21, 2023 - BUILD Conference, ISU, Bone Center, 200 N University St, Normal, IL

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

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

• November 25, 2023 - Mandatory Registration closes for State Dairy Foods CDE

• November 25, 2023 - Early Bird Registration closes for State Agronomy CDE

• November 28 - December 2, 2023 - NAAE/ACTE Conference, Phoenix, AZ

• November 24, 2023 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Dairy Foods and State Agronomy CDEs to IL FFA Center 

• December 1-4, 2023 - IAA Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Palmer House, Chicago, IL

• December 1, 2023 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Roster & Dues DUE

• December 4 - 8, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 3, 5, 10, and 25

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

• December 14, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting

• December 21, 2023 - Illinois FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. for the Christmas/New Year’s Holidays

• December 22, 2023  to January 2, 2024 - Christmas/New Year’s Holiday – IL FFA Center Closed

• January 5, 2024 - Tentative IAVAT/FFA Joint Board Meeting, IL FFA Center

• January 5, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Annual Meeting Registration Closes

• January 6, 2024 - Tentative IAVAT Section Chairs Meeting, IL FFA Center

• January 8, 2024 - American FFA Degree Mandatory Intents DUE

• January 10, 2024 - CREW Meeting, Virtual, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• January 12, 2024 - Ground Zero Conference Registration ENDS & Food Allergies/Special Meal Form DUE

• January 12, 2024 - Tentative ICAE Meeting

• January 15, 2024 - American FFA Degree Applications DUE

• January 15, 2024 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• January 19-20, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Annual Meeting & Auction, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E Adams St, Springfield, IL

• January 22-23, 2024 - Ground Zero Conference, Northfield Inn & Suites,  3280 Northfield Dr, Springfield, IL 62702

• January 26-27, 2024 - Ground Zero Conference, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901

• January 30, 2024 - Spring PAS Conference Registration DUE

• January 31, 2024 - Deadline for Foundation Program & Stage Recognition for Sponsorship and Collections 

• January 31, 2024 - Ground Zero Conference, 2 Sites:  Joliet Junior College, Main Campus, U Building - Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL& WIU, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455

• February 5-7-, 2024 - American Degree Interviews, FFA Center, Springfield

• February 8, 2024 - Spring PAS Conference, Heartland Community College, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL 61761

• February 13, 2024 - FFA Board Virtual Meeting, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

• February 17, 2024 - Tentative State FFA Officer Candidate & Parent Orientation, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• February 17, 2024 - State Meats Evaluation & Technology & Veterinary Science CDEs Early Bird Registration Ends

• February 17, 2024 - State Ag Ed Lesson Plans DUE

• February 17-25, 2024 - National FFA Week

• February 23, 2024 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Meats & Vet Science CDEs to IL FFA Center 

• February 27, 2024 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

• March 2024 - Tentative Ag Legislative Day

• March 1, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Rosters & Dues DUE 

• March 1, 2024 - Sam Taylor Scholarship Applications DUE

• March 1, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Camp Scholarship Application & Letter of Recommendation DUE

• March 2, 2024 - State Meats & State Vet Science & Ag Ed CDEs, University Of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801

• March 2-3, 2024 - Tentative State Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• March 2-3, 2024 - Products Expo, IL State Fairgrounds, Springfield

• March 6, 2024 - District Proficiencies

• March 8, 2024 - ICAE Meeting

• March 9, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Council Meeting, Springfield

• March 12, 2024 - Virtual IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

• March 13, 2024 - CREW Meeting, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• March 13-15, 2024 - Tentative National PAS Conference in Illinois

• March 20-24, 2024 - National MANRRS Conference, Chicago, IL

• March 22, 2024 - Mandatory Registration ENDS for State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE

• March 22, 2024 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE

• March 22-23, 2024 - State Officer Meeting

• March 23, 2024 - State Awards Day

• March 23, 2024 - Mandatory Registration ENDS State Food Science 

• March 23, 2024 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Food Science CDE

• March 28, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closing at 12:30 p.m. for Holiday

• March 29, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closed for Good Friday

• April 1, 2024 - National Chapter Application DUE

• April 5, 2024 - State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE, Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801

• April 5, 2024 - State Livestock Reasons Mandatory Registration CLOSES

• April 5, 2024 - State Horticulture CDE Mandatory Registration CLOSES

• April 5, 2024 - Early Bird Registration Ends for State Livestock Non-Reasons & State Poultry CDEs

• April 6, 2024 - State Food Science CDE, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901

• April 9, 2024 - Spring Middle School Conference Registration CLOSES & Food Allergies/Special Meals Form DUE for Spring Middle School Conferences

• April 10, 2024 - IAVAT Board Meeting, Tentative, IL FFA Center

• April 12, 2024 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Livestock, Horticulture, & Poultry CDEs to IL FFA Center 

• April 15, 2024 - Illinois Foundation FFA Annual Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• April 15, 2024 - Results Due for Parliamentary Procedure & Conduct of Chapter Meetings

• April 15, 2024 - Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair Applications DUE

• April 15, 2024 - Eldon Witt Student Teaching Scholarship Applications DUE

• April 16, 2024 - FFA Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• April 17, 2024 - State Ag Business Management Early Bird Registration Closes

• April 18, 2024 - State Ag Mechanics Mandatory Registration Closes & Results DUE

• April 18, 2024 - State Ag Mechanics CDE Waiver DUE

• April 19, 2024 - State Livestock & Poultry CDEs, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Stock Pavilion, 1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL

• April 19, 2024 - State Horticulture CDE, Parkland College, 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821

• April 23, 2024 - Virtual IAVAT Administrative Council Meeting, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

• April 23, 2024 - Spring Middle School Conference, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 

• April 24, 2024 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Ag Mechanics CDE, Parliamentary Procedure, & Conduct of Chapter Meetings to IL FFA Center 

• April 24, 2024 - Spring Middle School Conference, Sauk Valley Community College, 173 IL-2, Dixon, IL 61021

• April 25, 2024 - Spring Middle School Conference, Rend Lake College, 468 North Ken Gray Pkwy, Ina, IL 62846

• April 27, 2024 - IL FFA State Officer Candidate Selection Committee, Springfield Tentative

• May 2024 - Tentative Illinois Envirothon, Allerton Park, 4-H Camp Ground, Monticello, IL

• May 1, 2024 - State Ag Business Management CDE, District Sites TBA

• May 2, 2024 - State Ag Mechanics CDE, Parliamentary Procedure, and Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Illinois Central College, East Peoria Campus, 1 College Dr, East Peoria, IL 61635

• May 10, 2024 - ICAE Meeting

• May 15, 2024 - Virtual IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

• May 15, 2024 - District Job Interview, District Public Speaking & Greenhand Quizbowl Section Results DUE

• May 21, 2024 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

• May 22, 2024 - FY25 Section Fair Contracts MANDATORY DUE

• May 24, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closing at 2:30 p.m. for Memorial Day Holiday

• May 27, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closed for Memorial Day Holiday

• May 28, 2024 - State Ag Issues CDE Mandatory Registration ENDS & Materials DUE

• May 28, 2024 - Job Interview & Public Speaking Materials DUE

• May 28-29, 2024 - State FFA Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• May 29, 2024 - IL FFA Convention Business Session, Virtual

• June 7, 2024 - Ag Communications Mandatory Registration & Materials DUE to Lincoln Land Community College

• June 10, 2024 - Ag Communications & Ag Issues, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 11-13, 2024 - State FFA Convention, BOS Center, Springfield, IL

• June 11, 2024 - Job Interview & Public Speaking LDEs at State FFA Convention

• June 12, 2024 - Greenhand Quizbowl, State FFA Convention

• June 13, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Raffle Drawing, 1:00 p.m.

• June 13-14, 2024 - State FFA Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• TBA - IAVAT Board & Section Chairs Meeting, SIU-Carbondale

• TBA - IAVAT Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

• June 2024 - Tentative IL FFA WLC Trip, Washington, D.C.

• July 2024 - Tentative IL FFA Leadership Camp, Allerton Park, 4-H Camp, Monticello

• July 3, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closing at 12:30 p.m. for Holiday

• July 4, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closed for 4th of July

• July 8-12, 2024 - State Officer Meeting