Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• Getting Blisters - HOT, HOT, HOT - 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.

• HOT, HOT HOT - Section President Candidate Orientation and Mandatory Survey - New this year, a Section President Candidate Orientation Webinar on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.  The webinar will be recorded and can be watched at your convenience.  Following the webinar, we will release a mandatory survey that all potential candidates running for Section president must take to run for Section President.  

Join Zoom for the Section President Candidate Orientation Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87648981803?pwd=oU9kMSubrZ4ekguohNTul6Sav1NC8z.1

Meeting ID: 876 4898 1803

Passcode: 354974

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,87648981803#,,,,*354974# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• Getting HOTTER - National Chapter Award - DUE April 1, 2024, and MUST be SUBMITTED on AET, 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.

• GREAT HELP - National Chapter Awards: Looking for Ways to Summarize Your Chapter Activities?

Use the Chapter Planning Sheet to help your chapter officers ideate about potential chapter activities. Once chapter officers have completed the sheet, use the Summary Page to summarize your chapter activities.

• GREAT HELP - Improve Your Agriscience Fair Manuscripts

Take a look at these short videos developed by students and staff at the University of Florida to understand better the manuscript components of the National FFA Agriscience Fair.

• Getting HOTTER - Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE April 1, 2024. This is a scholarship available to Ag Ed majors during their student teaching experience before graduation from one of the four Illinois Universities with Ag Ed programs. It is designed to help offset the costs incurred for housing, etc. during their student teaching semester. Click Here for the 2024 Eldon Witt Student Teaching Scholarship application. Please note this is an earlier deadline than in past years.

• HEADS UP - Second Semester Students added to the roster.  Just a reminder that if you have second-semester students who are not on your roster yet, please get them submitted.  If you added members for the second semester, please go to your FFA membership tab to make sure you do not have any added members who are still pending due to missing information in their profile.  If you do, please make those corrections and resubmit the members to the FFA roster.   If you have any questions, contact Tammy at tyard@illinoisffa.org.

• Chapter & Section President Award Applications Sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau - The following link contains the main page to apply for both the Top 10 FFA Section President Award and the Top Chapter President Award. https://ifbyouth.secure-platform.com:443/a

• Section President Deadline: March 11, 2024.  

• Chapter President Deadline: April 12, 2024.  

****NEW Information****

1. Collaboration between Illinois FFA and Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) 

2. GROWMARK Scholarship

3. Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Gator Raffle Tickets Available

4. Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Health Profile, Signature Form, and Obstacle Course Form

5. Jenner Ag to Award $5,000 Scholarships for 2024-25 School Year

1.  Collaboration between Illinois FFA and Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) 

Dear Illinois FFA Chapters,

I am pleased to share with you an exciting collaboration between Illinois FFA and Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG).  Coming on the heels of another inspiring FFA Week celebration across our country, this new partnership between our organizations will offer FFA Chapters and members across Illinois a range

of valuable services, information resources and engagement opportunities.

At the heart of this partnership lies a shared commitment to the principles encapsulated by the FFA Creed, which has outlined guiding principles for agriculturalists in Illinois for numerous generations—hardwork, leadership, and respect.  Just as the Creed emphasizes belief in the future of agriculture, Illinois

Soybean Growers embodies the present-day spirit that supports growth and prosperity of the entire Illinois agricultural industry, from our farms and ranches to the numerous organizations and companies supporting it.

This new partnership will empower FFA members with additional abilities to thrive in the pursuit of agricultural excellence.  

Through this collaboration, every FFA chapter in Illinois will be a member of the Illinois Soybean Growes and your chapters will gain access to a wide range of benefits, including:

• Active participation in agricultural policy advocacy at both state and national levels, ensuring that the voices of our youth are heard and represented.

• Access to a wealth of educational resources, including monthly e-newsletters and expert-led webinars, aimed at enhancing knowledge and driving growth within the industry.

• Insights on the latest developments in the soybean industry, from policy updates to market insights, through our flagship publication, Illinois Field & Bean Magazine.  

• Access to soy scholarship opportunities, providing financial assistance to deserving students pursuing careers in agriculture.  

• Exclusive services and discounts through ISG’s program partners, such as Ford and Chrysler, along with many other benefits aimed at supporting Illinois agriculturists.

For a comprehensive list of benefits and further information, I encourage you to visit the ISG website, www.ilsoygrowers.com, or reach out to me directly at ashley.barry@ilsoy.org.  We are truly excited about the possibilities that this partnership holds. Together, FFA and ISG can work toward the realization of a brighter future for Illinois agriculture.

Warm regards,

Ashley Barry

Engagement Manager

Illinois Soybean Association

    2. GROWMARK Scholarship

The GROWMARK Scholarship application is LIVE NOW.   The application will close April 15, 2024, at 11:59pm. To access the application, you can click here or scan the QR code on this flyer.

3. Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Gator Raffle Tickets Available

Donated by John Deere

The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters is raffling off a 2024 John Deere 835M Gator.   Local FFA and/or Alumni Chapters can sell these raffle tickets and will receive 40% of the total sold tickets.  The tickets are 1 for $10; 3 for $25; or 20 for $100.   The gator drawing will be on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the BOS Convention Center, Springfield, IL.  The winning FFA Chapter will receive $300 and we will draw two additional tickets and those different FFA Chapters will receive $250.

A great way to sell these tickets is to have the gator at your banquet and/or event.  If you would like to request the Gator or for us to send you tickets, please email  pdavis@illinoisffa.org.  If you'd prefer to just buy Gator raffle tickets, you can mail a check to the IL FFA Alumni, 3221 Northfield Dr., Springfield, IL 62702, or pay by credit card (please add 3% to cover credit card fees) - please allocate to the Alumni and note: Gator Tickets.  We will mail you your ticket stubs.  You do not have to be present to win.  The winner is responsible for all taxes.

4.Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Health Profile & Obstacle Course Form 

Each camper who is attending the 2024 Illinois FFA Leadership Camp needs to 

complete the signature form/insurance card, health profile form, and obstacle

course form.  New this year:  Both pages of the Obstacle Course Form

need to be completed and signed by both the camper and parent.  This form

needs to be uploaded to the registration form or emailed to pdavis@illinoisffa.org. 

Please have the camper/parent sign the signature form/insurance card first

before starting the health profile.   Once the form is signed, please place the front

of the insurance card at the bottom of the signed form and scan/save it to your

computer or take a legible picture of the whole form.  You will need to upload this

signed form/insurance card when completing the health profile. Each camper

must complete the health profile for each camper.  If the camper takes any

medication, please have the bottles ready so we ask questions about each

medication.  Other information on the health profile includes contact

information, food/environmental allergies, health questions, and approval of the

consent forms.  Please complete both the obstacle course form and health

profile/signature form/insurance card by Monday, July 8, 2024.

5.Jenner Ag to Award $5,000 Scholarships for 2024-25 School Year

Harristown, Ill., March 1, 2024 – Jenner Ag is pleased to announce, for the 13th consecutive year, its Furthering Ag Education Scholarship program for Illinois and Indiana high school and college students. This scholarship will provide two recipients with $5,000 each for the 2024-2025 academic year.

“It's inspiring to witness young people who share the same passion for agriculture as we do. We consider ourselves fortunate to be in a position where we can offer resources to these future ag leaders and help them make a remarkable entry into the industry,” says Steve Jones, CEO of Jenner Ag. “Their success is a true testament to their hard work and dedication, and we are honored to play a small role in their success.”

Interested applicants can access the scholarship application online at www.jennerag.com/scholarship-program or through any Jenner Ag employee. The deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2024. To apply, students must be in their senior year of high school through their junior year of college pursuing a degree in the agriculture industry at a college or university in Illinois or Indiana.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by August 31, 2024. For any questions, applicants are encouraged to visit the website or contact Jenner Ag at 800-637-1692 x228. 

“Jenner Ag is pleased to continue the tradition of supporting and recognizing students who share a passion for agriculture,” says Jones, “and we look forward to reading the stories of these future leaders.”

**** 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.  

• 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 Scholarship DUE 

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

• April 15, 2024 - St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Tickets Price Increases to $65 per ticket.

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

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

• April 15, 2024 - WLC Registration CLOSES and 1st payment 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 1, 2024 - WLC Final payment DUE

• May 1, 2024 - Dave Cain Photography Contest Entries DUE

• 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 8, 2024 - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Tickets Registration CLOSES at 5:00 p.m.

• 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 1, 2024 - IL FFA Leadership Camp Registration ENDS

• 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 8, 2024 - IL FFA Leadership Camp Health Profiles & Signed Obstacle Course Forms are DUE for each camper.

• July 17, 2024 - Arrive Late/Leave Early IL FFA Leadership Camp Form DUE

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