Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

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

• HOT, HOT, HOT - 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.  

• HOT, HOT, HOT- 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.

• TOASTY - 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.  IAA Foundation Scholarships

2. Northeastern Wisconsin Virtual CDE Invitational

3. Compeer Financial Scholarships

4. GFAI Scholarship Opportunities

5. Illinois Pork Producer Scholarships 

1. IAA Foundation Scholarships

The 2025 Scholarship Application is OPEN!  The lineup includes 120 awards totaling more than $210,000 in tuition support.  

Apply Online

Application links and all supporting materials can be found at  www.iaafoundation.org Please read all instructions carefully and refer to the FAQ document on the website to help answer any questions. If answers cannot be found there, then please direct questions to our office. 

Watch the Deadline

All applications must be completed online by end of day February 15,, no exceptions. Many students wait until the last minute to complete. There are no exceptions for late applications. 

Supporting the Future of Agriculture

As the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, our Mission is to fund education, research, and charitable activities that benefit Illinois farm families and agriculture. We are proudly offer scholarship opportunities for students pursuing degrees related to agriculture, and those with family farming backgrounds. 

2. Northeastern Wisconsin Virtual CDE Invitational

Click here to view the flyer.  Information to register on judgingcard.com for the contest is located on the flyer. 

3. Compeer Financial Scholarships

Championing the dreams of agriculture and rural high school seniors 

Do you know a high school senior that would be a good fit for our scholarship? Tag them so they can apply! We champion the next generation of agriculture leaders through our competitive scholarship program.

Learn more and apply: Compeer.com/Scholarships

4.  GFAI Scholarship Opportunities

2025 Applications Open Now - April 15, 2025

You Should Consider Applying for GFAI Scholarships If You….

• Want to work in ag and have an interest in the grain handling and feed industries

• Want a steady career, competitive pay and to become a part of the industry that helps feed the world

• Have an interest in grain merchandising/originating, safety, operations, feed milling, management and more

Industry Immersion Scholarship

Recipients Receive:

• Networking and career building opportunities – Learn about the grain industry, network, build your resume and meet new people who can open doors for your career!

• A $3,500 scholarship – 40% of the scholarship is provided at the Summer Kickoff Tour and the remaining amount upon completion of the program in the spring.

• Real work experience – Students will work 4 days at a member facility (2 days each in the spring and fall) and provide two blog posts detailing their experiences. Students can suggest their preferred host.

• A 3-day Summer Kickoff Tour on August 4-6, 2025, complete with site visits around the state, educational programs and social events!

• Hotel accommodations & registration at GFAI's Annual Convention & Trade Show where recipients of the scholarship will be recognized during general session on February 16, 2026 in St. Louis.  

Eligibility:

• Permanent Illinois address and a full-time freshman, sophomore or junior at an accredited college or university

• Students must be willing to:

  • Work four days at a member facility (2 days each in spring and fall)

  • Attend the Summer Kickoff Tour on August 4-6, 2025

  • Write two blog posts detailing their experiences

• Applicants may only be awarded this GFAI Scholarship once. Previous winners who are sophomores or juniors are eligible for a $1,000 “Renewable Scholarship,” with requirements to interview a facility manager, complete a 30-60 second video, or job shadow 2 days at a member facility and write blog posts about their experience.

• Students must be interested in a career in the grain handling or feed industries, submit a transcript and three (3) professional letters of recommendation from a school adviser, faculty, employer, etc.

Country Grain Elevator Management Scholarship                                                  (May Apply for Both This Scholarship AND Industry Immersion Scholarship if Eligible) Recipients Receive:

• Networking and career building opportunities – Learn about the grain industry, network, build your resume and meet new people who can open doors for your career!

• A $5,000 scholarship – $1,000 awarded upon selection, $2,000 awarded upon accepting a full-time position at an IL country grain elevator in either management, accounting, origination, or merchandising, $2,000 awarded upon completion of first year in said position.

• A 3-day Summer Kickoff Tour on August 4-6, 2025, complete with site visits around the state, educational programs and social events!

• Hotel accommodations & registration at GFAI's Annual Convention & Trade Show where recipients of the scholarship will be recognized during general session on February 16, 2026 in St. Louis.  

Eligibility:

• Full-time junior at an accredited college or university at the time of application: must be a senior during the fall 2025 semester. 

• Students must:

  • Plan to work full-time at an Illinois country elevator after graduation. If hired, position must be in either management (including trainee type of position), accounting, origination, or merchandising.

  • Attend the Summer Kickoff Tour on August 4-6, 2025

• Students must be interested in a career in the grain handling or feed industries, submit a transcript and three (3) professional letters of recommendation from a school adviser, faculty, employer, etc.

• You may apply, and if chosen, receive both this scholarship and the Industry Immersion Scholarship. Only one student will be selected for this scholarship.

• Any questions? Email ?cali@gfai.org?! 

5. Illinois Pork Producer Scholarships 

IPPA has released their annual scholarship applications for undergraduate students.

All applications are due by 4:00 pm on March 1, 2025.

APPLY HERE

IPPA Scholarships

The Illinois Pork Producers Association proudly awards nine students with a scholarship each school year. Three Levels are awarded: (3) Gold Scholarships at $2,000 each; (3) Silver Scholarships at $1,500 each; (3) Bronze Scholarships at $1,000 each. Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or be enrolling to begin in the Fall of 2024 to be eligible. IPPA Scholarships are open to students pursuing any undergraduate degree at any two-year or four-year college.

Previous winners may apply again.

Adam Fesser Scholarship

IPPA hosts the Adam Fesser scholarship each year, which is sponsored by the Mid-Illinois Pork Producers Association. One award of $1,000 will be given. Applicants must be an undergraduate at a university/college or community college for the fall semester 2024. Applicants must also have been a 4-H or FFA member and an Illinois resident. Students applying for the Adam Fesser Scholarship must complete an application form and a typed essay identifying the reason they want to pursue a career in agriculture, as well as provide transcripts, list of achievements & activities, and statement of financial need. Applications will be reviewed by the Adam Fesser Scholarship Committee to determine the winner.

If you have previously won this scholarship you are not eligible to apply again.

Ryan & Friends Scholarship

IPPA encourages students to apply for the Ryan & Friends Scholarship, sponsored by the Purebred Swine Council. Detailed information about the scholarship can be requested by emailing Chuck Gocken at chuck@mcagplus.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 - 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 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