Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS:  

NEW Year REMINDERS:  

• 2023 American FFA Degree

  • Application Deadline: Due January 15

  • Illinois Procedures - American FFA Degree

• National FFA Scholarship Application - The National FFA Scholarship application is open through Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. We encourage students to complete the application early to avoid the last-minute rush. Keep in mind: This one application applies to many scholarship opportunities. The scholarship page on FFA.org has information and the link to apply.

• Spanish Creed Speaking LDE 

We are very excited to be offering a Spanish Creed Speaking LDE in conjunction with the Public Speaking Finals held during the State FFA Convention. Please click here for the Spanish Creed Speaking LDE Rules.  

• It was properly moved to have a Spanish Creed Speaking LDE competition at the state level with no limit of participants from each chapter.  An FFA member can only enter the State Spanish Creed Speaking LDE or the Section Creed Speaking LDE.  With an intent to sign up due on February 1 and final registration due  May 1. 

Our goal is to post this intent due by February 1, 2023, to get an idea of how many preliminary brackets we will need at the state level.  So, if you have any students who would be interested in the State Spanish Creed Speaking LDE, please click here to complete the intent to participate in the State Spanish Creed Speaking LDE.  In the intent, we are asking if you know of any potential judges who are fluent in Spanish.  

****NEW Information****

1. AWARD APPLICATIONS OPEN!

2. Discovery Stars, State FFA Degrees, Proficiency Awards

3. FFA Board Updates

4. Ground Zero Flyer

5. GREAT need for American FFA Degree Judges

6. 2023 American FFA Degree Intents

7. 2023 Illinois FFA Center Interns

1. FFA President AWARD APPLICATIONS OPEN!

Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates are proud supporters of Illinois FFA and Illinois 4-H! An

investment in cultivating FFA and 4-H youth is directly linked to the future success of Illinois

Agriculture. Check out the award opportunities below.

Top 10 Section President Award – due March 13, 2023 (application)

Applications for the Top 10 Section President Award are live now! This award recognizes the

efforts of section presidents who exceeded expectations as an FFA member, state officer, and

section leader. The top 10 individuals will be recognized at State Convention as Top Section

Presidents. Winners will also be invited to attend the Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates Premier 20 Leadership Conference – an elite professional development opportunity for exceptional young leaders in Illinois. The deadline to apply is March 14, 2022. 

Top 10 Section President Award Application

Chapter President Awards – Due April 14, 2023 (application)

Applications are live now for the Chapter President Award which recognizes chapter presidents

who have excelled in their role over the past year. The top 10 applicants will be recognized as

top chapter presidents at State Convention, and all applicants will be distinguished for their

efforts as gold, silver, or bronze ranking chapter president. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2022. 

Chapter President Award Application

2.  Discovery Stars, State FFA Degrees, Proficiency Awards

What are all the procedures, steps and information about Discovery Stars, Proficiency Awards and State FFA Degrees?  Have so many questions that you don’t know where to start?  Well have no fear…look below and “click here” on each link to provide you with all the information you are looking for.  SOE rubrics are in the Proficiency Materials folder with the Proficiency rubrics.  If you can’t seem to find what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to contact Mindy Bunselmeyer, “SAE Season” is my favorite time of year, please email me at mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org.    

1. Proficiency Materials Folder

2. Discovery Stars

3. State FFA Degrees 

4. ILLINOIS FFA Policies and Procedures.

NOTICE:  

When completing the SOE applications:  

Performance Review A question #1 for SOEs is:  What lessons have you learned in your agriculture courses that assist you in your SOE?  

Performance Review A question#2 for SOEs is:  How has your SOE prepared you for careers in the agriculture industry and what careers might those be?  

3.  FFA Board Updates 

Click here for FFA Board minutes from the meeting on Friday, January 6, 2023.  

Highlights:  

• Illinois FFA Forestry CDE team winner represents Illinois FFA the same calendar year national convention.  The Illinois FFA Horse CDE team will be determined once more information is available from National FFA.  

• Illinois FFA Agriscience Contest will remain an all-virtual competition in April and May of 2023 with the intention of adding some in-person components for the state winners to feature and highlight their projects - more information to come.  

• In 2023, Illinois FFA will recognize the Top Middle School National Chapter Award Application,as the Middle School Premier NCA chapter and send their application on to National FFA for competition in the National FFA Middle School NCA competition.  

• The IAVAT Middle School Committee and District 5 FCAE Program Advisor, Casey Bolin will coordinate an FFA Middle School Conference this spring on Monday, April 27, 2023, more information to come from Casey Bolin and that committee.  

4.  Ground Zero Flyer

Click here to see all the details you need to prepare for Ground Zero 2023.  

5.  GREAT need for American FFA Degree Judges

Click here if you are interested in helping review applications and assist with interviewing the American FFA Degree candidates on February 6 - 8, 2023.  We have just under 200 American FFA Degree candidates.  HELP is needed and greatly appreciated.  

6.  2023 American FFA Degree Intents

Want to know if your student turned in their American FFA Degree Intent?  Click here

7.  2023 Illinois FFA Center Interns

We are happy to announce - Shelby Basham of the Clifton Central FFA Chapter has been hired as our Bill Johnson Legislative Intern.  

Also COMING IN May 2023 - Maxwell Berry of the Maroa-Forsyth FFA Chapter and Kolbi Johnson of the Illini Central FFA Chapter have been hired as our 2023 SUMMER Interns.  

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

• CLICK HERE to view

***DATES & DEADLINES - Remember*** 

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

2023 IL FFA State Convention Wyndham (Downtown) Springfield Hotel Room Link

2022-2023 CDE Calendar and General Information-Updated 12-5-22 & 2022-23 Trading Post

Instructions on How To Register for Events, CDE's-Adding/Editing Participant Names, and Waiver Uploads for Events

Start/Reactivate an Alumni with Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters

2022-23 C.A.R.E.S Waiver Form Listserv with Instructions - Required for all students attending conferences, the leadership camp, and conventions.

• January 13, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference Registration ENDS at 11:59 p.m.  Please utilize the Trading Post once it closes for any additions/cancellation requests.

• January 15, 2023 - American FFA Degree Applications submitted via AET by Midnight - ONLY the Applications.  No additional documents will be required.

• January 16, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• January 23-27, 2023 - American Degree Applicants will be notified of any issues or errors to correct and address in their application prior to their interview.  Applicants will be notified of their scheduled interview date

• January 27, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Annual Meeting Hotel Room Block closes at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield, IL.

• January 27-28, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference, Southern Illinois University, College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901.

• February 3-4, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference, TBA, Champaign, IL.

• February 3-4, 2023 - Ground Zero Conference, Western Illinois University, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455

• February 6-8, 2023 - Virtual American FFA Degree Interviews

• February 7, 2023 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

• February 10-11, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Annual Meeting and Auction, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E Adams St, Springfield, IL 62701.

• February 16-17, 2023 - IACTE Conference

• February 18, 2023 - Parent/Candidate Orientation Meeting, IL FFA Center

• February 18, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Meats Evaluation & Technology CDE.  Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• February 18, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Veterinary Science CDE.  Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• February 18, 2023 - State Ag Ed CDE - Lesson Plans DUE 

• February 18, 2023 - Parent/Candidate Orientation Meeting, IL FFA Center, Start Time 1:00 p.m., Conclude by 4:00 p.m.

• February 18 - 25, 2023 - National FFA Week

• March 1, 2023 -  CREW Meeting - Virtual - 3:30-4:30 p.m. with TOWN HALL meeting

• March 1, 2023 - Illinois FFA State Officer Candidate Applications & Resumes Due to Illinois FFA Center - click here for more information.

• March 1, 2023 - Sam Taylor Scholarships Application DUE

• March 1, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters FFA Leadership Camp Scholarship Application DUE - Freshmen & Sophomores get Priority Judging, Juniors can apply but will be considered after the Freshmen & Sophomores.

• March 2, 2023 - Illinois FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

• March 3, 2023 - Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Conference

• March 4, 2023 - State Meats Evaluation & Technology CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00-9:30, Event starts at 10:00 am.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• March 4, 2023 - State Vet Science CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00-9:30, Event starts at 10:00 am.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• March 4, 2023 - State Ag Ed CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801. By Appointment Only.

• March 8, 2023 - District Proficiencies

• March 11, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Council Meeting, IL FFA Center, 10:00 a.m.

• March 14, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

• March 15, 2023 - Selection Committee Applications DUE  - click here for a flyer

• March 17, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE - Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• March 18, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 pm for State Food Science CDE - Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• March 31, 2023 - State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE, Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Rd, Centralia, IL 62801.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., the Event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 1, 2023 - TENTATIVE State Food Science CDE, Site TBA. Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., the Event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 6, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSING at 12:30 for the Easter Holiday

• April 7, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Livestock Reasons CDE - Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 7, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Horticulture CDE - Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 7, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Livestock Non-Reasons CDE - Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration A

• April 7, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Poultry CDE - Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 7, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• April 12, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting at the IL FFA Center

• April 17, 2023 - IL Foundation FFA Board Meeting at the IL FFA Center

• April 18, 2023 - IL FFA Board Meeting at the IL FFA Center

• April 19, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. for State Ag Business Management CDE.  Registration will continue at regular registration rates.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 20, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. and Results are Due for State Ag Mechanics CDE.  Please utilize the Trading Post if your chapter has additions/cancellations. Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 20, 2023 - Results Due for Parliamentary Procedure LDE

• April 20, 2023 - Results Due for Conduct of Chapter Meetings

• April 21, 2023 - State Livestock Reasons/Non-Reasons CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., the Event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 21, 2023 - State Poultry CDE, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Stock Pavilion, 1380-1476 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL 61801.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.  The event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• April 21, 2023 - State Horticulture CDE, Parkland College, 2400 W Bradley Ave, Champaign, IL 61821.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.  The event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• May 3, 2023 - State Ag Business Management CDE, District Sites TBA.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• May 4, 2023 - State Ag Mechanics CDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635.  Registration 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., the Event begins at 10:00 a.m.  Please add/edit participants’ names on your registration before the CDE at www.ilaged.org (instructions above).

• May 4, 2023 - Parliamentary Procedure LDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635.  By Appointment Only

• May 4, 2023 - Conduct Chapter of Meetings LDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive East Peoria, IL 61635.  By Appointment Only

• May 15, 2023 - Eldon Witt Student Teaching Scholarship Applications DUE

• May 17, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

• May 26, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSING at 2:30 p.m. for the Holiday

• May 29, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• May 30-31, 2023 - State FFA Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center

• June 13 - 15, 2023 - Illinois FFA State Convention, Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL 62702

• June 20 - 22, 2023 - IAVAT Conference, Sheraton Lisle Naperville Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Rd, Lisle, IL 60532, 

• July 24 - 27, 2023 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, 4-H Memorial Camp, 499 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL 61856

• August 1, 2023 - Joint FFA & IAVAT Board Meeting, IL FFA Center