Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS:

• Happy National FFA Convention Week - Travel Safely to National FFA Convention! Hope you all have an amazing week and hope to see you there!

• CREW Meeting, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Right after we all get back from the National FFA Convention at 3:30 p.m. Click here for more information.  

• Conference Teacher Assistants - WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

Click here to sign up to serve as a conference teacher assistant. Credits will be applied to chapter invoices upon selection.

• FFA Roster Reminders - JUST DOUBLE CHECKING you Read this

Just a reminder that Tammy Yard is still working on approving the FFA rosters as quickly as she can.  If your roster has not been approved yet, here are a few things to make sure are completee to help her get as many approved as quickly as possible:

• Make sure that all ag ed students have been submitted to the FFA roster and that you do not have any in the Pending Submission area.  That can be found under the FFA Membership tab under your dashboard.

• Make sure that your administrator has completed their approval from the link that was sent to them when you submitted your roster.  If they did not receive the link, please let Tammy Yard know their name and email address and she will send it from her account.  Thank you! 

• License Plate Update - PLEASE Think about getting 6 people to do this!

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.  

• Fall Middle School Conference Participation Form & CARE Form in AET are required for all students attending the conference.  

Please review this document for the form links and instructions.  Both forms must be signed by the student/parent before the conference.

****NEW Information****

1.  2024 American FFA Degree Process for Illinois FFA Members

2. BUILD Conference Registration

3. Illinois FFA Board Updates from October 26, 2023, Meeting

4. State Officer Candidate and Parent Orientation

5. Alumni Scholarship Applications Due Date Extended

1.  2024 American FFA Degree Process for Illinois FFA Members

American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures 

It is important that all advisors and American FFA Degree applicants study the procedures carefully and familiarize themselves with the deadline dates.

AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The Intent to Apply form is MANDATORY and DUE on January 5, 2024.  

Use the American FFA Degree Intent to Apply form link found on www.ilaged.org  or click here.  

The intent form also includes a section where you can indicate what date and time work best for your interview.  Please understand, we will do our best when coordinating the schedule and that these preferences are not final, they simply give us an idea of when you prefer to interview. If you do not complete the intent by January 6, you cannot apply for the American FFA Degree this year. 

This procedure allows the FFA Center to set the interview schedule and make groups of applications for the reviewers to begin evaluating once all degrees are submitted on or prior to January 15. 

Application: The American FFA Degree application must be obtained by the student/candidate by logging into www.theaet.com

DEADLINE DATES FOR CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS

2. BUILD Conference Registration

Closes on Monday, November 6, 2023.  Food Allergies/Vegetarian Form due for  Advisors, Chaperones, and Students.

3.  Illinois FFA Board Updates from October 26, 2023, Meeting

Click here for the minutes of the meeting.  

4.  State Officer Candidate and Parent Orientation

FFA members with their State FFA Degree interested in running for Major State FFA Office, their families and their FFA Advisors are invited to attend the Candidate - Parent Major State Officer Orientation.  The Candidate and Parent Orientation is on Saturday, February 10, 2024. The Candidate/Parent Orientation meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m., the meeting should conclude by 3:30/4:00 p.m. and will be held at the Illinois FFA Center, 3221 Northfield Drive, Springfield, IL 62702.  The orientation meeting is not a mandatory event, but an event that is very important for you and your family to be informed of your next step and be comfortable with the process.

Please RSVP for the candidate orientation. Click here to RSVP. 

5.  Alumni Scholarship Applications Due Date Extended

The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters has extended the deadline for the Ground Zero Scholarship Application, WLC Scholarship Application, and the National FFA Alumni and Supporters Outstanding Member & Chapter Applications to Tuesday, November 14, 2023.  The FFA Advisor’s letter of recommendation will also be due on November 14, 2023.  Here is the link the application links.  If you have any questions, please email pdavis@illinoisffa.org.

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

• CLICK HERE to view

• IAVAT Dues & Donations Link

• 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 - Updated 10/24/23

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

• 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 - 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 14, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Scholarships Applications Due for WLC & Ground Zero Conference and Letter of Recommendations from the FFA Advisor.

• November 14, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Outstanding Chapter & Member Applications DUE

• 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