Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

FIERY HOT, HOT, HOT - American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures  - AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The American FFA Degree application is DUE on January 15, 2025. That’s TOMORROW!

• GETTING HOT - Alumni Annual Meeting, Friday, January 24 - Saturday, January 25, 2025 Click here for the Alumni Meeting listserv.  

• BALMY - We are THRILLED to announce that Dr. Larry Case will be attending and speaking at the 2025 Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Annual Meeting and will be signing copies of his book. Please fill out this form to preorder your book. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history and meet one of FFA’s most influential leaders!  Get a copy of his book entitled; “A Thread of Blue Corduroy” by Dr. Larry D. Case for $25.00.  

• TOASTY - IL Corn Opens 2025 Scholarship Application Period - IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is excited to announce the 3rd annual scholarship program for students choosing to pursue a degree in the agriculture field.  The submission period for the scholarship period is now open and the application deadline is January 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. CST.

• MILD - State Officer Candidate and Parent Orientation - Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1:oo p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click here to RSVP. 

• MILD - 2025 Illinois FFA Selection Committee

The Illinois FFA Selection Committee is an amazing opportunity for FFA members and friends of the FFA, click here to check out an awesome video about being on the Selection Committee.  The State FFA Officer Selection Committee application is due March 15, 2025.  If you have students who are interested in being on the 2025 Selection Committee click here to apply.   Click here for a flyer to show your students so they can learn more about the selection committee. 

• LUKE Warm - National Chapter Award - DUE April 1, 2025, and MUST be SUBMITTED, need a REMINDER on how to submit?  Click Here.  Great news, the January State Scoop podcast special guest is Trent Taber, Cambridge FFA provides insight and advice on the National Chapter Award.  It’s COMING SOON!

****NEW Information****

1. 2025 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Interview Schedule 

2. Sam Taylor Scholarship Application - DUE March 1, 2025

3. Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE April 1, 2025

4. Honorary Illinois FFA State Degree Nominations/Application DUE April 1, 2025

5. Reporter Award Applications

6. National FFA Officer Request Form

7. Will Cook Memorial Scholarship

1.  2025 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Interview Schedule 

Please click here to review the 2025 American FFA Degree Interview schedule, keep in mind this schedule is based on the students who completed an intent for the American FFA Degree.  American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures  - AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The American FFA Degree application is DUE on January 15, 2025. That’s TOMORROW!

2. Sam Taylor Scholarship Application - DUE March 1, 2025

Know any students with interest or potential to be a GREAT Ag teacher?  Encourage them to apply for the Sam Taylor Scholarship. 

Sam Taylor Memorial Scholarship:  One or more $500 - $1,000 scholarship(s) established by the family in memory of Sam Taylor, 1991-92 State FFA President.  Sam was an agriculture education major at the time of his death, he served Illinois with a great enthusiasm for FFA, agriculture education and his Hereford cattle.  Available to any Illinois FFA member who is a graduating senior planning to major in agriculture or is a student already enrolled in an agricultural program at a two or four year college or university.  Preference will be given to applicants majoring in agriculture education,but all agriculture majors are encouraged to apply. Many of our current agriculture teachers have been awarded the Sam Taylor Memorial Scholarship.  It is also still awarded by Sam’s family at the Illinois FFA State Convention.  

DUE March 1.  Sam Taylor Scholarship Application.

3. Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE April 1, 2025

Know any agriculture education majors about to student teach?  Encourage them to apply for the Eldon Witt Scholarship. 

Mr. Witt served as the Executive Director for IAVAT starting in 1970 until his retirement in 1989.  He then served the Illinois Association FFA as Executive Secretary from 1973 until his retirement in 1989.  The Eldon Witt Scholarship has been awarded to numerous future agriculture teachers throughout Illinois.

DUE April 1.  Eldon Witt Scholarship Application.

4. Honorary Illinois FFA State Degree Nominations/Application DUE April 1, 2025

This Honorary Degree Program is operated under the policies and procedures approved by the Illinois Association FFA Board of Directors and State Officers. Honorary Degrees are provided for in the Illinois FFA Constitution. The Honorary State FFA Degree is the highest Honorary Degree that can be presented by the Illinois Association FFA at the annual Illinois FFA Convention. Individuals nominated must have provided exceptional (outstanding) service to agriculture and/or the agricultural education/FFA program at the state level. Nominations may also be made by members, friends of the FFA and by Illinois Association FFA Board of Directors and Officers, and the State Staff. Illinois FFA Honorary Degree Recipients over the years.  

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the degree program is to recognize individuals who have rendered outstanding service to agricultural education and FFA programs at the state level.   

CRITERIA OF NOMINATION:

Individuals nominated must have provided exceptional (outstanding) service to agriculture and/or the agricultural education/FFA program at the state level.   Nominations may also be made by members of both the Illinois Association FFA Board of Directors and Officers, and the State Staff. 

CRITERIA FOR TEACHERS APPLYING:

2000 points are needed to qualify.   Teachers who are applying can utilize the Teacher Worksheet to determine if they have reached the necessary 2000 points to qualify for the Illinois FFA Honorary State FFA Degree.  

Honorary State Degree Applications - DUE April 1 

Teacher Application

Non Teacher Official Nomination Form

5. Reporter Award Applications

Each year the top ten chapter and section reporters in Illinois are selected and recognized by the Illinois AgriNews on stage at the Illinois FFA State Convention and invited to serve as part of the Illinois FFA State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom. Click here for the Chapter Reporter Award application.

***  AGAIN THIS YEAR - ATTENTION Chapter/Section Reporters: 

The top 25 applicants for the Chapter and Section Reporter Award will have the opportunity to be a flag bearer in the First Opening session of the 97th Illinois FFA Convention on June 10, 2025.  Fill out the application to be considered. You will receive an email if you have been selected after the selection process. 

6. National FFA Officer Request Form

The 2024-2025 National Officer Request form is now available! We ask that anyone interested in hosting a National Officer this year review the attached National Officer Visit Expectations and Best Practices.

After reviewing, please use the links below to submit your requests:

In-Person Request - If the page does not open, check your security settings for pop-up blockers. Be sure to log in to your FFA account before filling out a request.

Virtual Event

7. Will Cook Memorial Scholarship

The Will Cook Memorial Scholarship is available to qualifying students for the 2025-2026 school year. The $1,000 scholarship will be payable to the Financial Aid Department of the recipient’s college in one payment for the fall semester. 

Click here for the flyer.  The award will be credited to recipient’s account.
All applications must be received by March 1, 2025. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be considered.

Apply here.  

**** 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 - Added New Event - 11-7-24

• All Conference Event Information, Flyers, Required Forms, Registration Information

• 2025 State FFA Convention Wyndham Hotel Room Block Link (PAL Full)

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

• January 15, 2025 - American Degree Applications DUE

• January 15, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the WIU, Macomb Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 17, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the SIU, Carbondale Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 20, 2025 - IL FFA Center Closed for Holiday

• January 20, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the JJC, Joliet Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 22-23, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, Northfield Inn & Suites, Springfield

• January 23, 2025 -  Ground Zero Conference at the Effingham Registration & Food Allergies/Special Meal ENDS

• January 24, 2025 - State Horse Reasons Mandatory Registration ENDS

• January 24, 2025 - State Horse Non-Reasons Early Bird Registration ENDS

• January 24, 2025 - Special Accommodation Form DUE for State Horse CDE

• January 24-25, 2025 - Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters Annual Meeting & Auction, Springfield, IL

• January 29, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, WIU, Macomb, IL

• January 31-February 1, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, SIU, Carbondale, IL