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HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:  

***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

****NEW Information****

1. Illinois has TWO National FFA Star Finalists!

2. AgriNews Favorite Farm Photo Contest

3. Tree Equity Grants

4.  School Swine Project Grant Announced

1. Illinois has TWO National FFA Star Finalists!

Congratulations to Ty Steffen of the Newark FFA Chapter for being a 2024 American Star Farmer Finalist and Congratulations to Lizzie Schafer of the Taylorville FFA Chapter for being a 2024 American Star in Agriscience Finalist! We look forward to celebrating them at the 97th National FFA Convention, October 23 - 26, 2024.  

The American Star Awards represent the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The award recognizes FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies by completing a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows members to learn by doing. Members can own and operate an agricultural business, intern at an agricultural business, or conduct an agriculture-based scientific experiment and report the results.

Other requirements to achieve the award include demonstrating top management skills; completing key agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements; and earning an American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of student accomplishment.

A panel of judges will interview the finalists and select one winner from each award category for the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall. The four winners will be announced during the convention.

Click here to see the press release from National FFA.  

Visit FFA.org/Stars for more information about the American Star Awards.

2. AgriNews Favorite Farm Photo Contest

Starting July 1 through July 31, upload your favorite photo captured on the farm. Illinois AgriNews wants to see those moments with your tractors, cows, chickens, grandkids or that beautiful sunset behind the barn! Then from August 1-15, their readers will vote for their favorite. The photo that receives the highest number of votes will win a $50 gift card. Don’t miss your chance to participate, upload your favorite photo today!  Click here to enter.  

Thanks to our special sponsors:

Community State Bank

Serving our community since 1931. Stop in and ask about the many services we offer our customers.

Kaeb Sales

Sublette Farmers Elevator

Hello community members and organizations, 

3.  Tree Equity Grants

Funding for projects to enhance urban and community forestry in nature-deprived populations and disadvantaged communities is now available from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry allocation of the Inflation Reduction Act. This request for proposals provides funding assistance to nonprofits, government entities, and other eligible groups described in the Request for Proposals (RFP). All projects must occur in and directly benefit disadvantaged areas. To view all eligible areas, please see this map. Grant awards are available for a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $500,000. For all eligible projects, there is no match requirement.

Request for Proposals and Application

University of Illinois Extension serving DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties will host an in-person informational session in Decatur. This session will cover details of the grant, how to apply, and what kinds of projects are eligible. This session will be held July 30th from 11:00am to 12:30pm. 

Register here for the July 30th session in Decatur.

Print flyer pdf

4.  School Swine Project Grant Announced

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 findings of the project. If appropriate, the committee may also ask for a presentation of the results at a future meeting.

Application deadline is September 30, 2024.

Questions: Mike Borgic at mike@ilpork.com ?

**** 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 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