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HOT TOPIC:

****NEW Information****

1. National FFA Finalists from ILLINOIS

2. Illinois FFA Board and Joint Board Meeting Updates

3.  IAVAT Board Updates

4. IL FFA Alumni & Supporters John Deere Gator Winner

1.   National FFA Finalists from ILLINOIS

The 2023 national finalists have been announced for the National FFA Agriscience Fair, Agricultural Proficiency Awards and National Chapter Awards. Orientation packets and interview schedules will be posted on the specific program pages on FFA.org and emailed to finalists and advisors. 

We are thrilled to announce our Illinois finalists. Illinois Results: click here.

Congratulations to our 8 National Proficiency Award Finalists, 16 National Agriscience Fair Finalists, 2 American Star Finalists, 1 National Chapter Award Finalists FFA Chapter and our 2023 National Officer Candidate Mr. Adam Loker, Wayne City FFA Chapter!   Wishing you all the very best of luck.  You make Illinois FFA very proud!

2.  Illinois FFA Board and Joint Board Meeting Updates

The IAVAT and FFA Board of Directors met as a joint board on Monday, July 31, 2023, and met separately and conducted EDI Training for both Boards and the FFA Center Staff.  There were numerous items on the agendas but the big items that came from the Joint Board meeting include:

• Adding the Corrective Action Form to AET for students to review when reviewing and signing the CARE document.  

• Discussing District Concerns. 

• EDI Training

FFA Board updates:  

• Illinois FFA had now adopted the National FFA Spanish Creed version and rules - National Rules and Version

• Formed a committee to formalize a process for orientation to Section Presidency, prior to students running for Section President. 

• Formed a committee to focus on the FFA officer candidate campaign to outline and provide guidelines for candidates, advisors, families and FFA members.  

• Click here for the minutes.  

3. IAVAT Updates

The IAVAT and FFA Board of Directors met individually and as joint board at the beginning of last week.  There were numerous items on the agendas but the big items that came from the IAVAT meeting include:

• Remember to check the CDE rules for updates as we have made changes.

• There is an approved calculator graphic on the ilaged.org website under the general rules to help provide guidance on what can be used.

• The 100th anniversary Lifetime membership option is still available until October 31st.  

• Congratulations to the NAAE award and scholarship winners from Illinois!

• Updated board policy regarding the resectioning timeline.

4. Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters John Deere Gator Winner

The 2023 John Deere Gator winning ticket was drawn during the State FFA Convention on June 15, 2023.  The winner was Madison Trude from Bettendorf, Iowa.  The winning ticket was sold by Cambridge FFA at the January Quad Cities Farm Show.  Cambridge FFA will receive $300 for selling the winning ticket, and two additional tickets were drawn and each FFA Chapter will receive $250:  West Prairie FFA & Mater Dei FFA Chapter.  The 40% rebate checks will go out to FFA & Alumni Chapters after school begins.  Thank you to everyone that sold or bought the John Deere Gator Raffle Tickets.  Special thanks goes out to John Deere for donating the gator for our raffle.  Be sure and watch for announcements for the 2024 Alumni Raffle.

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

• CLICK HERE to view

• 2023-24 CDE/LDE Calendar

• 2023-24 Trading Post

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

2023 - 2024 Illinois FFA Chapter Visits Schedule - Click Here

• August 8-9, 2023 - State Officer Meeting, Springfield, IL

• August 10, 2023 - IL State Fair Parade, Springfield, IL

• August 11-20, 2023 - IL State Fair, Springfield, IL

• August 11, 2023 - IL State Fair Agriculture Day at the Fair, Springfield, IL

• August 16, 2023 - IL State Fair Sale of Champions at the Fair, Springfield, IL

• August 19, 2023 - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Tickets Late Fee Begins

• August 25, 2023 - DuQuoin State Fair Parade, DuQuoin, IL

• August 28, 2023 - Farmyard Follies, DuQuoin, IL

• August 28, 2023 - St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Tickets Registration CLOSES

• August 29-31, 2023 - Farm Progress Show, Decatur, IL

• September 1, 2023 - IL FFA Center Closing at 2:30 for Labor Day Holiday

• September 4, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Labor Day Holiday

• September 5, 2023 - District V Star Conference & SIUC Greenhand/COLT, SIUC, Ag Building, 1205 Lincoln Dr., Room 209, Carbondale, IL

• September 6, 2023 - CREW Meeting, Virtual, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

• September 6, 2023 - Western Illinois University Greenhand Conference, University Union, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455 - Registration Form

• September 7, 2023 - District III STAR Conference, John Wood Community College - new Agricultural Sciences Complex - 37803 St Hwy 104, Baylis, IL

• September 9, 2023 - Mandatory Registration ends for State Horse Reasons CDE Registration

• September 9, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends for State Horse Non-Reasons CDE Registration

• September 11, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• September 12, 2023 - District I Star Conference, Black Hawk College - Vet Sciences Bldg - 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva, IL 61434

• September 13, 2023 - District II Star Conference, Joliet Junior College - Main Campus, U Building - Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL

• September 14, 2023 - District IV Star Conference, Lake Land College –5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 

• September 15, 2023 - Special Accomodations Form DUE for State Horse CDE to IL FFA Center 

• September 16, 2023 - Early Bird Registration ends for State Forestry CDE

• September 17, 2023 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Game, IL Foundation FFA Fundraiser, Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

• September 18, 2023 - Virtual IAVAT Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• September 18 - 22, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 18 and 19

• September 22, 2023 - Elite Conference, Heartland College, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL 61761

• September 22, 2023 - Special Accomodations Form DUE for State Forestry CDE to IL FFA Center 

• September 23, 2023 - State Horse CDE, Black Hawk College East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, Galva, IL 

• September 25, 2023 - IL Team Ag Ed Vision Planning (Tentative)

• September 25 - 29 - Chapter Visits in Sections 13, 14, 15, 22 and 24 

• September 27, 2023 - Illinois FFA Center Closed for Office Cleanout Day

• September 30, 2023 - State Forestry CDE, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 

• October 1, 2023 - FFA Rosters Due

• October 1, 2023 - Chapter Strategic Plan DUE - Click here

• October TBA, 2023 - National Convention Prep Day, IAA Building, Normal, IL

• October TBA, 2023 - State Land Use CDE - Tentative

• October 2 - 6, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 2, 9, 11, 20, and 23

• October 9, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• October 12 - 13, 2023 - IACCAI Conference, Heartland Community College, Bloomington, IL

• October 16 - 20, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 1, 4, 7, 16, and 21

• October 23, 2023 - Illinois Foundation FFA Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL (Tentative)

• October 24, 2023 - Virtual State Officer Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

• October 25, 2023 - IAVAT Board Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL (Tentative)

• October 26, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• October 31, 2023 - IAVAT & IACCAI Dues Deadline

• November 1-4, 2023 - National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, IN

• November 4, 2023 - State Ag Sales Results Due

• November 6, 2023 - BUILD Conference Registration Closes

• November 7, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• November 7, 2023 - Fall PAS Conference Registration Due

• November 7 or 8, 2023 - Tentative Middle School Conference

• November 8, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Scholarships Applications Due for WLC & Ground Zero Conference

• November 8, 2023 - CREW Meeting, Virtual, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• November 9, 2023 - ICAE Meeting, (site tentative)

• November 10, 2023 - Special Accomodations Form DUE for State Ag Sales CDE to IL FFA Center 

• November 10, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• November 13 - 17, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 6, 8, 12, and 17

• November 14, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

• November 14, 2023 - IAVAT Administrative Council Meeting, FFA Center, Springfield

• November 16, 2023 - PAS Conference, ISU, Hancock Stadium, North Main St, Normal, IL

• November 18, 2023 - State Ag Sales, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• November 18, 2023 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Council Meeting, Illinois FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• November 20-21, 2023 - BUILD Conference, ISU, Bone Center, 200 N University St, Normal, IL

• November 22, 2023 - IL FFA Center Closing at 12:30 for Holiday

• November 23-24, 2023 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• November25, 2023 - Mandatory Registration closes for State Dairy Foods CDE

• November 25, 2023 - Early Bird Registration closes for State Agronomy CDE

• November 28 - December 2, 2023 - NAAE/ACTE Conference, Phoenix, AZ

• December 1, 2023 - Special Accomodations Form DUE for State Dairy Foods and State Agronomy CDEs to IL FFA Center 

• December 1-4, 2023 - IAA Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Palmer House, Chicago, IL

• December 4 - 8, 2023 - Chapter Visits in Sections 3, 5, 10, and 25

• December 9, 2023 - State Agronomy & Dairy Foods CDEs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL

• December 14, 2023 - Virtual FFA Board Meeting

• December 21, 2023 - Illinois FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. for the Christmas/New Year’s Holidays

• December 22, 2023  to January 2, 2024 - Christmas/New Year’s Holiday – IL FFA Center Closed

• January 5, 2024 - Tentative IAVAT/FFA Joint Board Meeting, IL FFA Center

• January 5, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Annual Meeting Registration Closes

• January 6, 2024 - Tentative IAVAT Section Chairs Meeting, IL FFA Center

• January 8, 2024 - American FFA Degree Mandatory Intents DUE

• January 10, 2024 - CREW Meeting, Virtual, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• January 12, 2024 - Tentative ICAE Meeting

• January 15, 2024 - American FFA Degree Applications DUE

• January 15, 2024 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• January 19-20, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Annual Meeting & Auction, President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E Adams St, Springfield, IL

• January 26-27, 2024 - Ground Zero Conference, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901

• January 30, 2024 - Spring PAS Conference Registration DUE

• January 31, 2024 - Deadline for Foundation Program & Stage Recognition for Sponsorship and Collections 

• January 31, 2024 - Ground Zero Conference, Joliet Junior College, Joliet

• February 2-3, 2024 - Tentative Ground Zero Conference (2 Sites)

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

• February 17, 2024 - Tentative State FFA Officer Candidate & Parent Orientation, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• February 17, 2024 - State Meats Evaluation & Technology & Veterinary Science CDEs Early Bird Registration Ends

• February 17, 2024 - State Ag Ed Lesson Plans DUE

• Feburary 17-25, 2024 - National FFA Week

• February 23, 2024 - Special Accomodations 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 or April 2024 - Tentative State Dairy Cattle/Handlers CDE 

• March 2024 - Tentative Ag Legislative Day

• March 1, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Rosters & Dues DUE 

• March 1, 2024 - Sam Taylor Scholarship Applications DUE

• 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 - ICAE Meeting

• March 9, 2024 - IL FFA Alumni & Supporters Council Meeting, Springfield

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

• March 13, 2024 - Tentative State Food Science CDE, SIU-Carbondale

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

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

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

• March 22-23, 2024 - Tentative State Officer Meeting

• March 23, 2024 - Tentative State Awards Day

• 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 2024 - Tentative State Dairy Foods CDE

• April 1, 2024 - National Chapter Application DUE

• April 5, 2024 - State Livestock Reasons Mandatory Registration CLOSES

• April 5, 2024 - State Horticulture CDE Mandator Registration CLOSES

• April 5, 2024 - Early Bird Registration Ends for State Livestock Non-Reasons & State Poultry CDEs

• April 10, 2024 - IAVAT Board Meeting, Tentative, IL FFA Center

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

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

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

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

• April 15, 2024 - Eldon Witt Student Teaching Scholarship 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 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 24, 2024 - Special Accomodations Form DUE for State Ag Mechanics CDE, Parliamentary Procedure, & Conduct of Chapter Meetings to IL FFA Center 

• 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 Mechancis 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 - Job Interview, Public Speaking & Greenhand Quizbowl District Results DUE

• 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 Memoray Day Holiday

• May 28, 2024 - State Ag Issues CDE Mandatory Registration ENDS & 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 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 17, 2024 - IAVAT Board & Section Chairs Meeting, SIU-Carbondale

• June 18-20, 2024 - IAVAT Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

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

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

• 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