Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• HOT, HOT, HOT - We wanted to let you know that the Department announced an additional 30-day suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets and auction markets, in response to the ongoing threat of H5N1 avian flu. The current suspension will be extended an additional 30 days, continuing through May 11, 2025. The move is intended to reduce and prevent the spread of the disease, which has been detected in commercial and backyard flocks in Illinois.

  • https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/animalhealth/alerts-and-important-animal-health-information.html

  • https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/animalhealth/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza.html

• HOT, HOT, HOT - NOTICE:  the Illinois FFA Center will be CLOSED all day on Friday, April 25, 2026, Illinois FFA Center staff will be at the State Horticulture, Livestock, and Poultry CDEs.  

• HOT, HOT, HOT - The deadline for the 2024-2025 Illinois FFA Membership year is coming to an end on May 1, 2025.  Please be sure to have all of those second-semester students added and submitted to the FFA roster as soon as possible.  Remember that it is important to submit members each year to have the year in their membership history for the future when they may be applying for degrees, proficiency awards, and scholarships.   If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Yard (tyard@illinoisffa.org).

• HOT, HOT - The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Gator Raffle Tickets are still available to sell or purchase.  After selling tickets, you can send them by Priority Mail to the IL FFA Center (please do not mail cash) or bring the money/tickets on the convention's first day to registration. Please contact pdavis@illinoisffa.org for more information.

• Applications for State FFA Convention

• TODAY - DUE April 15, 2025 - State Convention Band Application

• TODAY - DUE April 15, 2025 - State Convention Drum Line Application

• TODAY - DUE April 15, 2025  - State Convention Chorus Application

• TODAY - DUE April 15, 2025 - State Convention Talent Application

• DUE May 15, 2025 - State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom App

• DUE May 15, 2025 - State Convention Courtesy Corps Application

****NEW Information****

1. Illinois FFA Launches 100th Anniversary Theme 

1. Illinois FFA Launches 100th Anniversary Theme During Historic State Officer Reunion

“Illinois FFA at 100: Strong Roots, Bright Future” to Guide Multi-Year Centennial Celebration

Springfield, IL — The Illinois FFA proudly announces its 100th anniversary theme—“Illinois FFA at 100: Strong Roots, Bright Future”—marking the beginning of a multi-year celebration honoring a century of agricultural education, student leadership, and community impact.  “As we look back on 100 years of Illinois FFA, we’re reminded that our strength lies in our roots—our members, our communities, and our mission,” said Mindy Bunselmeyer, Illinois FFA Executive Director.

The centennial theme, “Strong Roots, Bright Future,” honors the deep foundation laid by generations of FFA members, advisors, and supporters since the organization’s founding in 1928. It also serves as a rallying cry for the next century—fueling innovation, leadership, and a continued commitment to agricultural education.

The theme was unveiled in conjunction with the recent Illinois FFA State Officer Reunion, where past state officers gathered to reconnect and reflect on the organization’s lasting legacy. Held in Springfield, the event brought together leaders from across the decades whose collective influence has helped shape not only Illinois FFA, but the future of agriculture itself.

“The reunion was the perfect setting to announce our centennial theme,” said Dave Maurer, Past State Officer and member of the 100th Committee. “These individuals are the roots of our legacy—each one playing a vital role in building the strong foundation we stand on today. As we look ahead, this theme reminds us that our future is bright because of those who have come before and those who are yet to come.”  Illinois FFA’s 100th State Convention will take place in June 2028, but the celebration will extend well beyond that single event. The organization will mark the centennial milestone throughout the 2028–2029 school year, culminating in a special capstone event in the summer of 2029. The extended timeline allows for a full year of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to FFA’s mission of developing premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Throughout the centennial year, Illinois FFA will host special programs, spotlight alumni stories, and engage members, schools, and communities in honoring the organization's legacy and future.  Alumni, supporters, and members statewide are invited to participate in events that honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future.

For more information about Illinois FFA’s centennial celebration and upcoming events, email Mindy Bunselmeyer, mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org

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

• PREVIOUS LISTSERVS - CLICK HERE to view - 2024 - 2025 School Year

• CLICK HERE to view the 2023 - 2024 School Year Previous Listservs

• 2024-25 State CDE/LDE Calendar - Added New Event - 3-10-25

• All Conference Event Information, Flyers, Required Forms, Registration Information (Spring Middle School Conference)

• 2025 IAVAT Conference Crowne Plaza Room Block Link

*Please NOTE that clicking Dates & Deadlines will take you to the www.ilaged.org calendar.  

• April 15, 2025 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• April 15, 2025 - Illinois FFA WLC Trip Registration Closes (FULL)

• April 15, 2025 - Ed Curry Camp Scholarship Application DUE 

• April 15, 2025 - Agriscience Fair Intent DUE

• April 17, 2025 - Women Changing the Face of Ag, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL

• April 17, 2025 - State Ag Mechanics Mandatory Registration & Results DUE

• April 17, 2025 - State Ag Mechanics, Parliamentary Procedure, and Conduct of Chapter Meetings ICC Required Waiver DUE

• April 17, 2025 - Parliamentary Procedure Results DUE

• April 17, 2025 - Conduct of Chapter Meetings Results DUE

• April 17, 2025 - Special Needs Accommodations Form for State Ag Mechanics, Parliamentary Procedure, and Conduct of Chapter Meetings DUE

• April 17, 2025 - IL FFA Center closes at 12:30 p.m.

• April 18, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• April 23, 2025 - Special Needs Accommodations Form for State Ag Business Management CDE

• April 23, 2025 - Invitational Marketing Plan, by Appointment Only

• April 25, 2025 - State Livestock and Poultry CDE’s, University of Illinois, Stock Pavilion, 1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801

• April 25, 2025 - State Horticulture CDE, Parkland College, 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821

• April 25, 2025 - IL FFA WLC Health Profile, Signature Form, and Insurance Card DUE

• May 1, 2025 - Agriscience Fair Papers DUE

• May 1, 2025 - Reporter Application DUE

• May 1, 2025 - State Ag Mechanics CDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL

• May 1, 2025 - Parliamentary Procedure LDE,  Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL

• May 1, 2025 - Conduct of Chapter Meetings,  Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL

• May 5, 2025 - State Ag Business Management CDE, 2-Day Mandatory Registration ENDS

• May 5, 2025 - Agriscience Fair Interviews by Appointment Only

• May 5-6, 2025 - Illinois State Envirothon CDE, Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL  61856

• May 7, 2025 - State Ag Business Management CDE, District Sites TBD

• May 15, 2025 - Job Interview Results DUE

• May 15, 2025 - Public Speaking LDE Results DUE

• May 15, 2025 - Greenhand Quiz Bowl Results DUE

• May 16, 2025 - State FFA Convention Registration ENDS

• May 16, 2o25 - IAVAT Conference Crowne Plaza Hotel Room Block ENDS

• May 26, 2025 - Ag Issues Mandatory Registration ENDS

• May 26, 2025 - Ag Communications, Mandatory Registration ENDS

• May 26, 2025 - Special Needs Accommodations Form for Ag Issues or Ag Communications DUE

• May 28, 2025 - Ag Issues Materials DUE

• May 28, 2025 - Job Interview Materials DUE

• May 28, 2025 - Public Speaking Materials DUE

• June 1, 2025 - IAVAT Conference Registration $50 Late Fee Begins

• June 1, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Registration ENDS

• June 6, 2025 - Ag Communications CDE Mandatory Materials DUE

• June 9, 2025 - State Ag Communications, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 9, 2025 - Ag Issues, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703 

• June 10-12, 2025 - State FFA Convention, BOS Center, 1 Convention Plaza, Springfield, IL 

• June 10, 2025 - Public Speaking LDE at State FFA Convention, Springfield

• June 11, 2025 - Greenhand Quiz Bowl at State FFA Convention, Springfield

• June 16-18, 2025 - IAVAT Conference, Crowne Plaza, 3000 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 22-28, 2025 - IL FFA Washington Leadership Conference Trip

• July 3, 2025 - IL FFA Center closes at 12:30 p.m. 

• July 4, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• July 7, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Health Profile, Signature Form/Insurance Card, and Obstacle Course FORMS DUE

• July 7-11, 2025 - State FFA Officer Meeting, SIU, Carbondale

• July 9-10, 2025 - 2nd Year Ag Teacher Conference, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• July 17, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Arrive Late/Leave Early Forms DUE

• July 21-24, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, 4-H Camp, Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL  61856

• July 29-30, 2025 - Beginning Advisors Conference, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• July 31, 2025 - Joint FFA/IAVAT Board Meeting, Springfield, IL

• August 1, 2025 - IAVAT Section Chair Meetings, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• August 5-6, 2025 - Illinois FFA State Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield,

• August 7-17, 2025 - Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL