Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• Please click here to see the 2024 National Chapter Award Applications Submitted.  

• 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.

• 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

• Chapter President Deadline: April 12, 2024.  

• WLC Registrations Still Available - Registration closes on April 15th.  If going on the IL FFA WLC Trip, please complete the WLC Contact Information Form with Uploaded Signed Consent Form/Insurance Card is DUE April 26, 2024.

•  96th Annual Illinois FFA Convention, June 11 - 13, 2024 

Applications for State FFA Convention

• State Convention Band Application DUE April 15, 2024

• State Convention Drum Line Application DUE April 15, 2024

• State Convention Chorus Application DUE April 15, 2024

• State Convention Talent Application DUE April 15, 2024

• State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom App DUE May 15, 2024

• State Convention Courtesy Corps Application DUE May 15, 2024

• Chapter Showcase - Click here to sign up to bring your Chapter Showcase Display.  DUE MAY 1, 2024

****NEW Information****

1. Ag Incentive Funding Grant Quality Indicators Summary & 3 Circle Intent to Apply Due April 15th.

2. Plant the Moon Challenge

3. Aquaponics 101 Workshop for Teachers

4. Online Master's Degree for You- Illinois MVS Degree for Educators

1.  Ag Incentive Funding Grant Quality Indicators Summary & 3 Circle Intent to Apply Due April 15th.

Visit this link to view the previously shared message from Jennifer Waters. Please work with your local FCAE-LPS Program Advisor to address any questions.

2. Plant the Moon Challenge

Are your students interested in space exploration or agricultural technologies? Check out this amazing Challenge for future astronauts, scientists, and farmers of all ages! 

The Plant the Moon Challenge is a global citizen science project that gives students the opportunity to grow crops in lunar or Martian soil simulant. During the Challenge, students gain hands-on experience with experimental design, learn about plant growth and the conditions that impact it, and explore space while utilizing their science, math, technology, language arts, and interpersonal skills.

Winners will even have the chance to showcase their results at a virtual symposium with NASA scientists, program executives, and other industry professionals!

Don't miss your chance to sign up for one of the Informational Webinars that will help you understand the structure of the challenge. Once you register, the link for the Zoom will be sent to you. Dates for the Webinars are as follows: April 3 at 7:00 PM ET or April 10 at 6:00 PM ET.

For more information about the Challenge – or to register – visit the Plant the Moon website.

We can’t wait for you to join us as we Plant the Moon!

Read about Amy Goodyear, the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year and the National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award recipient. Mrs. Goodyear received this award based on her work with students as part of the Plant The Moon Challenge which tasks students with growing crops in lunar or Martian soil simulant. The project combines STEM science and agriculture to help NASA as they prepare to send astronauts back to the moon and then on to Mars.

Click on this link to read about and watch a video showcasing students in Iowa learning about growing crops in lunar simulant. Iowa Youth Experiment with Growing Crops on the Moon.

3.  Aquaponics 101 Workshop for Teachers

What: 5 day Aquaponics 101 Workshop for Teachers

Where: Auburn University, AL – E.W. Shell Fisheries Research Center

When: June 24-28, 2024

How Much: $295 (does not include, transportation, room, meals)

This 5-day professional development workshop is designed for teachers that would like to integrate aquaponics into their curriculum. The workshop is geared to middle and high school teachers, but adventurous elementary and pre-service teachers are welcome. Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, the growing of plants without soil. The fish and plants form a symbiotic relationship where the fish provide nutrients for the plants and the plants help clean the water for the fish. Classrooms across the country incorporate aquaponics to engage students and teachers in real world applications of chemistry, biology, math and agriculture science.

The workshop provides professional development credit (32 hrs) and hands-on opportunities to build small aquaponics systems and interact with aquaponics experts.  Topics covered at the workshop include integrating plant and fish culture, the nitrogen cycle, water quality, components of a recirculating aquaculture system, plant and fish selection, plant and fish disease and pest management and many others. Attendees will have the opportunity to design and build an entire aquaponics system that they will be able to take back to their schools. For additional information please see the attached documents or contact David Cline at clinedj@auburn.edu  334-844-2874. You can register for the workshop online via the Alabama Cooperative Extension System web site at https://www.aces.edu/go/Aquaponics101   Attached is a hard copy for registration and the Agenda from the 2023 workshop.  This will be the 26th consecutive year of this workshop.

See what previous attendees have to say: https://youtu.be/qEe5jIhrYgA

Cancellation policy: Cancellations made more than 14 days in advance receive a full refund minus $25 processing fee. Cancellations 3 days to 14 days in advance receive a 50% refund and cancellations less than 3 days in advance or no-shows will not receive a refund.

Alabama Extension is committed to making our programs accessible to everyone.

4. Online Master's Degree for You- Illinois MVS Degree for Educators

Click here to see information about these amazing programs and opportunities for Illinois Agriculture Teachers. 

**** 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.  

• 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 15, 2024 - State Convention Band Application DUE 

• April 15, 2024 - State Convention Drum Line Application DUE

• April 15, 2024 - State Convention Chorus Application DUE 

• April 15, 2024- State Convention Talent Application 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 26, 2024 - IL FFA WLC Trip Contact Information, Consent Form/Insurance Card DUE

• 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 15, 2024 - State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom Application DUE 

• May 15, 2024 - State Convention Courtesy Corps Application DUE 

• May 21, 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

• July 29, 2024 - ELS (New Teacher) Conference, 1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701

• July 30-31, 2024 - Beginning Ag Teacher Conference, Heartland Community College, 1500 W Raab Rd, Normal, IL 61761

• August 8, 2024 - IL State Fair Parade, Springfield, IL

• August 9-18, 2024 - Illinois State Fair, Springfield, IL

• August 9, 2024 - Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair

• August 23-September 2, 2024 - DuQuoin State Fair, DuQuoin, IL

• August 23, 2024 - DuQuoin State Fair Parade

• August 26, 2024 - DuQuoin Farm Follies, DuQuoin State Fair, DuQuoin, IL 

• August 30, 2024 - IL FFA Center Closes at 2:30 p.m. for the Holiday

• September 2, 2024 - IL FFA Center CLOSED for Holiday

• September 3, 2024 - District I Star Conference, Black Hawk College East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Rd, Galva, IL 61434

• September 4, 2o24 - District II Star Conference, Joliet Junior College, Main Campus, U Building, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431

• September 5, 2024 - District IV Star Conference, Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL 61938

• September 10, 2024 - District V Star Conference, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901

• September 10, 2024 - District V Greenhand Conference & COLT, Southern Illinois University, 1263 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901

• September 11, 2024 - WIU Greenhand Conference, Western Illinois University, 1 University Cir, Macomb, IL 61455

• September 12, 2024 - District II Star Conference, John Wood Comm College; John Wood Community College, 37803 St Hwy 104, Baylis, IL 62314 

• September 13, 2024 - Special Accommodation Form DUE for State Forestry CDE

• September 14, 2024 - Early Bird Registration ENDS for State Forestry CDE

• September 20, 2024 - Elite Conference

• September 28, 2024 - State Forestry CDE, SIU College of Agricultural Sciences, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901