The Story of the Illinois Ag Skills Showcase Event:
Three years ago, the Illinois Ag Skills Showcase Invitational started with an idea and a great group of teachers supporting this work - thank you Colton Downs, Kelly Weiman, Nicole Phillips, and Max Look.

For the first time, our students were able to participate in an event in a unique way, by highlighting their skills gained in agricultural education at their individual educational level. While all students in grades 7-12+ are eligible to participate, emphasis is placed on participants with an intellectual disability, IEP, or 504 Plan. 

Celebrating Success:
This fall, Dr. Jay Solomonson at Illinois State University, invited me to partner on a research project pertaining to this event for the National Agricultural Mechanics Blue Ribbon Research Conference. This conference is held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention this week in Indianapolis, IN. The abstract was accepted for the conference, and Dr. Solomonson presented the poster at the event. In the linked photo, Dr. Solomonson is shown with ISU Ag Ed Student, Beth Clark.

Registration Open:
Sean Welch, Associate Director of Student Recognition at the Illinois FFA Center, and I are pleased to share with you that entries are now being accepted for the 2024 event. All artifacts must be submitted electronically by December 4^th, with optional virtual interviews taking place during the school day January 13-17, 2025.

We hope you will consider submitting artifacts with your students to share the skills they have gained through agricultural education. All students deserve to experience premier leadership, personal growth and career success. We hope this event engages students in your programs and helps them shine. For more information and to see the scoring rubric for more details, visit the Ag Skills Showcase Page on the IL Ag Education website at this link.

Be Part of the Event:
And speaking of interviews, if you are interested in assisting with virtual student interviews in January to celebrate these student accomplishments, reach out to Sean (swelch@illinoisffa.org) or myself (jwaters@ilaged.org). We would love to have you join us.

Sincerely,
Jennifer

*This message has been shared with teachers, superintendents, principals, counselors, alumni members, website subscribers, ICAE members, ILCAE members, AITC Coordinators, former teachers, retired teachers, university Ag Ed instructors and media contacts.