Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• VERY HOT - IL FFA Leadership Camp REQUIRED FORMS STILL OUTSTANDING - ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED ASAP.  Please email pdavis@illinoisffa.org with the missing information or questions.  There are a lot of camp openings on the Trading Post.

• GETTING HOT, HOT, HOTTER - Illinois State Fair update  - With the new system (Showworks), Advisors - you need to approve your students that sign up under your chapter. 

The instructions can be found HERE.  Please ensure you have this done by July 19, 2024,  so they can process the entries. You can do this all at once or sign in weekly.  State Fair does ask if you change your password, and if you are a multi-teacher program, that you inform others what the password is. If you have any questions, you can call them, but it might be quicker to email Stephanie at Stephanie.Hardy@illinois.gov

****NEW Information****

1. Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Grants 

2. Reminder all Account Balances need to be paid by August 1, 2024

3. FFA Camp Packing List

4.  National FFA Update 

5. 2024 National FFA Band, Chorus & Talent Applications DUE 

1. Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Grants 

The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is offering universities, colleges, and high schools based in Illinois the opportunity to apply for grant dollars for projects focusing on the betterment of the pork industry.

Grants will be awarded to those selected for up to $2,000. If awarded, the IPPA will ask for a report on the project's findings. If appropriate, the committee may also ask for a presentation of the results at a future meeting.

The application deadline is September 30, 2024.

Questions: Mike Borgic at mike@ilpork.com

2. Reminder all Account Balances need to be paid by August 1, 2024

***AGAIN this year per the directive of the IAVAT Administrative Council, for all  Illinois FFA Chapters and any colleges/universities with an account at the Illinois FFA   Center:  any outstanding bills due to the Illinois FFA Center must be paid in full by August 1, 2024.  This includes bills from CDEs, conferences, camp, convention, dues, etc.  Section balances are paid to the Section Chair, not the IL FFA Center.

If outstanding bills are not paid by August 1, 2024, access to www.ilaged.org will be restricted until the outstanding debt is paid in full.  Turning off this access will not allow a program or teacher to register for events or begin the FFA roster process.  So please review your account balance on www.ilaged.org to make sure those balances are paid.  

If you have any financial questions or inquiries about your balance, please contact Tammy Lynn Mullins tmullins@illinoisffa.org.

If at any time you have questions or concerns about the policy, please contact Mindy Bunselmeyer at mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org

3.  FFA Camp Packing List

Here are a few items we recommend you bring to make camp the BEST EVER:      

• Sleeping bag & pillow (bunk bed style accommodations in cabins)

• Appropriate clothing - (t-shirts - several changes)

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellant

• Towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and any other toiletries – good hygiene is expected and appreciated. 

• Bring footwear appropriate for outdoor showers. 

• Snacks (remember, there are no refrigerators in cabins), and vending machines are available at times during the camp experience. 

• Sports equipment (ball gloves, bats, football, softball, frisbee, etc.) 

• Flashlight - with batteries - don’t always count on a phone flashlight!

• Fan

A GREAT attitude for the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Experience!

4.  National FFA Update 

Click here to view the update shared by the National FFA during the most recent IAVAT conference.  

5. 2024 National FFA Band, Chorus & Talent Applications DUE (https://convention.ffa.org/band-chorus-talent/).

Each National FFA Band, Chorus or Talent application requires (4) items:

1. Online application

2. $40 non-refundable application fee

3. Recorded audition

4. Advisor Approval

Applications are due TOMORROW, Wednesday, July 17, 2024. State Staff and applicants will be notified of each application’s status by Friday, August 16, 2024.

Here are some informational documents that provide additional details about each musical group that you are welcome to post or send to chapters in your state. National FFA will be promoting the applications through social media and other venues but would appreciate any additional promotion that you may offer to your state’s members, advisors, and state FFA music program directors if you have them.

**** 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

• C.A.R.E. Form in AET Instructions

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

• 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