Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• ON FIRE - HOT, HOT, HOT - State Officer Candidate and Parent Orientation - Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 1:oo p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP. 

•  Getting Warmer - 2024 Illinois FFA Selection Committee

The State FFA Officer Selection Committee application is due March 15, 2024.  If you have students who are interested in being on the 2024 Selection Committee click here to apply.  Should a student be selected, they need to know the selection committee will meet on April 27, 2024, in Springfield, Illinois. Their attendance will be critical to the process. Their ability to travel to Springfield on that date is required.

• LUKE Warm - National Chapter Award - DUE April 1, 2024, and MUST be SUBMITTED, need a REMINDER on how to submit?  Click Here.  Great news, the January State Scoop podcast special guest is Trent Taber, Cambridge FFA provides insight and advice on the National Chapter Award.  It’s COMING SOON!

****NEW Information****

1. 2024 Ag Legislative Seminar/Reception & Day 

2. 2024 Illinois FFA Leadership Camp 

3. Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Camp Scholarship Application

4. Ed Curry Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Memorial Scholarship

1.  2024 Ag Legislative Seminar & Reception AND Ag Legislative Day 

The 2024 Ag Legislative Seminar & Reception will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 3:00-7:00 at Inn 835, 835 S 2nd St, Springfield, IL 62704.  The Illinois FFA Ag Legislative Seminar and Reception, sponsored by ADM is wonderful opportunity for FFA chapters to attend prior to being at Ag Legislative Day the next Day.  During the Seminar, FFA members will hear from a panel of legislators to learn the “DOs and DON’TS” of advocating for the agriculture industry.  The legislators not only share some “Tips and Tricks” of lobbying, but they also share their own personal journey into public service and their role in our government.  Often times the panelists answer questions from FFA members, some of which were, how they came to be in the role they are today, what is their connection to agriculture, and what accomplishments they had achieved while they were in office.  FFA members will also develop their own “Elevator Speech” which can be used on Ag Legislative Day as well as in their future. Following the Semiar, the Reception begins for legislators and FFA members have the opportunity to mingle and make connections.  Each FFA Chapter may bring 1 Advisor & 8 Students at no cost.  For additional advisors/chaperones and students, the cost will be $10 per person.  Please register by Friday, March 1, 2024.  

The room blocks we have available are:  Inn 835 for $112 plus tax, please call (217) 523-4466, reservation code is IL FFA 2024.  The room block closes on Thursday, March 7, 2024.  

Ramada, 3281 Northfield Drive, Springfield, Call (217) 523-4000; $85 plus tax, please mention you are an FFA Chapter.

2024 Ag Legislative DAY is Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Time TBA.  Registration will open on February 6, 2024.  There is NO limit on how many and FFA Chapter can bring to Ag Legislative Day.  

On Ag Legislative Day, Illinois FFA members gather to help deliver Illinois agriculture commodity baskets to our Illinois legislators and government officials.  Along with the baskets, FFA members will also deliver lunches to these friends, as well as schedule meetings with their legislators from their respective districts.  Illinois Ag Legislative Day is a long-standing tradition that allows FFA members the opportunity to learn firsthand how to become strong advocates for the agriculture industry and agricultural education.  Another great tradition of Ag Legislative Day is the large group photo of all of the FFA members in attendance on the Capitol steps…one your members won’t want to miss.  

2.  2024 Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Registration

Illinois FFA members are invited to A fun filled week of countless experiences that help FFA members recognize what a leader is and the qualities they possess. Campers will participate in the team building challenge course, Ag Olympics, enjoy an epic time in the great outdoors, stay in cabins all week and many more live changing events!  Campers will also have the chance to experience great speakers, build lasting friendships and fill their leadership tool box. This is a life changing event!  Click here to view the flyer.  

The Illinois FFA Alumni offers Scholarships for Leadership Camps for chapters with an alumni and there is also the Ed Curry Memorial Leadership Camp Scholarship.  

The Illinois FFA Leadership Camp will be held from Monday, July 22 - Thursday, July 25, 2024, at the 4-H Camp in Monticello.  Registration for Camp is the same as last year's $215.00 and registration will open on February 6, 2024.   The health profile documents and required forms will be released at a later date.

3.  Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Camp Scholarship Application

The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Camp Scholarship Application and Letter of Recommendation is due on Friday, March 8, 2024.  Your FFA Chapter needs to have an active Alumni to apply for this scholarship. Please only have one student complete this application.   New Bonus Section:  The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters have added a second bonus question to the rubric worth 5 points if anyone in your FFA or Alumni Chapter has attended the Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Annual Meeting in the last 5 years.  The original bonus question has been changed to being worth 10 points.  Once the application is submitted the FFA Advisor will receive an email where they will need to reply with a letter of recommendation about the student that applied for the scholarship.  If you have any questions, please contact pdavis@illinoisffa.org.

4. Ed Curry Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Memorial Scholarship

Ed Curry was a long-time ag teacher and FFA advisor from Section 1 whose passion was to find the best in everyone.  He lived to make every moment count and to instill in his students that they were valued and they could make a difference.  His passion for camp was infectious.  

HE LOVED CAMP!  Every part of it.  He always loved a good challenge to try to have someone attend who was unsure about stepping outside of their comfort zone.  Mr. Curry was an FFA advisor, who taught with kindness, compassion, and inclusion. He volunteered his time as a staff member of the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp every year, beginning in 2006.  Camp was a place where Mr. Curry was able to become a trusted mentor, advisor, and friend to many more students than he had in his chapter or section. He was always willing to lend an ear to listen or give advice and direction to anyone who sought him out.  He was a great friend to not only the FFA members attending camp but also to the other camp staff and the FFA Center staff, as well. Mr. Curry used his time at camp to impact as many members as he could.

To honor his work and life, camp scholarship(s) in the amount of $215.00 will be awarded to attend the Illinois FFA State Leadership Camp in Monticello.     

Please click here to complete the Ed Curry Memorial Camp Scholarship.  Applications are due by April 15, 2024. Once a student completes the application the FFA Advisor must complete and submit a letter of recommendation stating why you think your student should be a recipient of the Ed Curry Memorial Camp Scholarship via email to intern@illinoisffa.org by April 15, 2024, for their FFA member who submits an application for the Ed Curry Memorial Camp Scholarship.  

Applicants and teachers will be notified in May. 

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

• CLICK HERE to view

• 2023-24 CDE/LDE Calendar Updated 1-23-24

• C.A.R.E. Form in AET Instructions

• Fall & Spring Conferences Registration & Site Information

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

• 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 10, 2024 - State FFA Officer Candidate & Parent Orientation, IL FFA Center, Springfield

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

• 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 - Sam Taylor Scholarship Applications DUE

• March 1, 2024 - Ag Legislative Seminar Registration & Food Allergies Form CLOSES

• 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 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Camp Scholarship Application & Letter of Recommendation DUE

• March 8, 2024 - ICAE Meeting

• March 8, 2024 - IACCAI Conference Registration & Food Allergy Form CLOSES

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

• March 12, 2024 - Ag Legislative Seminar, Inn 835, 835 S 2nd St, Springfield

• March 13, 2024 - Ag Legislative Day, Springfield

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

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

• March 15, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Rosters & Dues DUE 

• March 16, 2024 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Council Meeting, Springfield

• March 20, 2024 - Intents due for Marketing Plan Invitational CDE

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

• March 21-22, 2024 - IACCAI Conference, SIU, Carbondale

• 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 - MUST SUBMIT - Here’s How

• April 1, 2024 - Eldon Witt Student Teaching Scholarship Applications 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 11, 2024 - Materials due for Marketing Plan Invitational CDE

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

• April 15, 2024 - Ed Curry Memorial Camp Scholarhip DUE 

• 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 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 18, 2024 - Special Accommodations Form DUE for State Ag Mechanics CDE

• 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 25, 2024 - Marketing Plan Invitational CDE, Via Zoom, Hosted by Richland Community College

• 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 17, 2024 - State FFA Convention Registration ENDS

• 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

• June 18, 2024 - IAVAT Board & Section Chairs Meeting, SIU-Carbondale

• June 19-21, 2024 - IAVAT Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

• June 23-30, 2024 - IL FFA WLC Trip, Washington, D.C.

• 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

• July 22-25, 2024 -  IL FFA Leadership Camp, Allerton Park, 4-H Camp, Monticello