HOT TOPIC:

2021 - 2022 Illinois FFA Rosters - DUE October 1, 2021

• Please click here for roster instructions.  

2021 - 2022 Chapter Strategic Plan - DUE October 1, 2021

• Please click here for Chapter Strategic Plan instructions.  

Feedback Needed - REALLY need to get teachers to complete the Fall Survey to help us plan for BUILD Conference and other Fall events.  

• Click here to view the original listserv message asking for feedback

State Leadership CREW Committee Ranking

• Click here to have your FFA members rank the committees they are most interested in participating in the State Leadership CREW meetings.  

Items in this listserv:

****NEW Information****

1. Illinois FFA Center will be CLOSED on Thursday, September 30, 2021

2. Illinois FFA Board Meeting UPDATE 

3. GROWMARK Essay Contest

1.  Illinois FFA Center will be CLOSED on Thursday, September 30, 2021

The Illinois FFA Center will be CLOSED on Thursday, September 20, 2021, for an office staff professional development day.  

2.  Illinois FFA Board Meeting UPDATE 

1. Updated Parliamentary Procedure RULES & Resources - Click here

2. At this time there is no change in allowing Middle school records referenced in the Advisors Guide:  Records kept by members, as 7th and 8th grade junior members will not be considered for section, district or state proficiency awards or the State FFA Degree selection.  However, a committee has been formed  from the FFA Board to collaborate with the Middle School Committee and the SAE Committee to continue exploring the topic.  

3. BUILD Conference - SAVE THE DATES - Monday, November 22, 2021 and Tuesday, November 23, 2021, each day is a single day conference in person from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  A virtual option will also be available, as well as virtual follow-up meetings.  Once we have determined expenses and further details, we will notify teachers and open registration.  More information to come.  

4. Next FFA Board Virtual meeting date:  Monday, November 1, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. 

3.  GROWMARK Essay Contest

Click here to view the flyer about the 2022 GROWMARK Essay Contest for High School Students.  

This year’s topic: 

The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes previously unheard  of across the globe. No industry or aspect of “normal” life was  untouched. While there are certainly negative repercussions,  many positive things have also come out of the last several  years, especially in agriculture. Choose one of these positive  outcomes and explain how it has changed agriculture for the  better. 

Contest goals are to help students: 

• Develop writing skills.  

• Learn about current issues in agriculture.  

• Understand the unique role of cooperatives. 

Contest procedures and instructions: 

I. Schools may submit one essay; however, no more than   two students from the same state will be selected for   the top five awards. 

II. Students must be FFA members in good standing   to be eligible for awards. 

III. Essay length should be no more than 500 words. IV. Works cited are not required, but are accepted.   They do not count toward your 500 word limit. 

V. Submit the requested information and your essay to:   www.bit.ly/GMKEssay2022

Suggestions for writers: 

• Pay special attention to your opening and closing  paragraphs. 

• Find facts from state agriculture associations, your FFA  advisor, local cooperatives and others. 

• Visit credible websites to learn more. 

• Have a parent or teacher proofread your essay. • Spell-check your essay. 

• Your local FS cooperative is a good resource for  information. 

Submit your essay to: 

www.bit.ly/GMKEssay2022 

Submission deadline: 

October 29, 2021, midnight central time 

Essays become the property of GROWMARK and all content  can be reprinted for promotional uses and/or posted to the  GROWMARK website or other printed/electronic media. 

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

• CLICK HERE to view

***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember***  

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

• September 20 - 24, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• September 25, 2021 - State Forestry CDE, SIUC, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA

• September 27 - October 1, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• September 30, 2021 - FFA Center CLOSED - Due to Staff Professional Development Day

• October 1, 2021 - FFA Roster DUE

• October 1, 2021 - FFA Strategic Plan DUE

• October 3, 2021 - Illinois FFA Day with the Cardinals, St. Louis, MO

• October 4 - 8, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• October 11, 2021 - Columbus Day - FFA CENTER CLOSED

• October 12, 2021 - State Land Use CDE, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, Normal, IL 61761, USA

• October 27 - 30, 2021 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• October 31, 2021 - IAVAT Dues Deadline

• November 1, 2021 - Illinois FFA Board Virtual Meeting - 3:30 p.m. 

• November 1, 2021 - WLC Alumni Scholarship Application DUE 

• November 8 - 12, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• November 11, 2021 - Veterans Day - FFA CENTER CLOSED

• November 12, 2021 - ICAE Meeting

• November 13, 2021 - Alumni Council Meeting, FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• November 15 - 19, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• November 20, 2021 - State Ag Sales CDE - Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703, USA

• November 22, 2021 - BUILD Conference (1 day in person event at this time) Bone Student Center, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, #146, Normal, IL 61761

• November 23, 2021 - BUILD Conference (1 day in person event at this time)  Bone Student Center, Illinois State University, 100 N University St, #146, Normal, IL 61761

• November 25 - 26, 2021 - Thanksgiving - FFA CENTER CLOSED

• December 6 - 10, 2021 - Chapter Visits

• December 11, 2021 - State Agronomy & Dairy Foods CDE