Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:

• FIERY, 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.

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

• TOASTY - 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.

• MILD - Section President Candidate Orientation and Mandatory Survey - Listserv sent on 12/10/2024 - In the role of being a Section President on the state officer team, there are many responsibilities and an extensive summer schedule, to set our future Section Presidents up for success and make them aware of those responsibilities, expectations and time commitments we are having a Section President Candidate Orientation Webinar on Thursday, March 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.

• 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 Tour of Southwest Agriculture

2. Grief Support Group & Farm Succession Series

3. Illinois FFA Distinguished Service Award

4. Hoofbeats Through Illinois

5. WIU Ag Day at Mens and Womens Basketball

6.  Green and Growing Education

1. 2025 Tour of Southwest Agriculture

Message from William Norris, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education | Department of Agricultural and Extension Education - New Mexico State University

Hello Agricultural Educators,

I hope you had a restful Christmas break and are looking forward to a spring semester full of fun and changing lives! I would love to tell you about the 2025 Tour of Southwest Agriculture coming up on June 23-27, 2025. This tour will provide professional development to agricultural education teachers from across the nation on how food is produced in the southwestern U.S. This tour will begin in Las Cruces, NM, which is uniquely situated 45 minutes from the U.S./Mexico border. This area of New Mexico has many unique agricultural practices, considering it only receives an average of 9-10 inches of rain and 300+ days of sunshine annually. Despite the dry climate, Dona Ana County is the nation's leading pecan producer and is home to the world-famous “Hatch Green Chile” brand, with Hatch, NM, located only 30 minutes from Las Cruces. This area of southern NM also has a great deal of historical significance, with it being the crossroads of the Gadsden Purchase, the Mexican-American war, Poncho Villa’s attack on Columbus, and it was the home of Billy the Kid (have you watched Young Guns?). We also plan to tour New Mexico State University (NMSU), which is the premier land grant institution in the state. This tour of southwest agriculture is sure to be fun, educational, and inspiring, with trips planned to local agricultural education programs, agricultural production facilities, White Sands National Park, Puerto Palamos, Mexico, and many other sites. I have listed some frequently asked questions below. If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me at wnorris1@nmsu.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register?

• Use this link- https://tourswag.ezregister.com

What are the dates for the trip?

• The trip will be June 23-27, 2025. We are asking everyone to fly into El Paso International airport on Sunday June 22nd, and fly out on Saturday, June 28th.

How much does it cost to attend?

• The cost of the trip is $750 per person for a double occupancy room or $1100 for a single occupancy room.

What expenses does my registration cover and what does it not cover?

• The registration covers your travel once you arrive in El Paso until you leave El Paso. It also covers your accommodations from when you arrive on Sunday, June 22nd, to when you leave on Saturday, June 28th and entry fees for events. It does not cover your flight to and from El Paso, your food on the trip, or any spending outside of the scheduled events (e.g., souvenirs, rental car if you stay longer/arrive early, etc.)   

Where is the best place to arrive by flight?

• El Paso International Airport is the closest and most budget-friendly option.

Will there be a way to get to/from the airport?

• Yes, I plan to operate a shuttle to and from the airport on June 22nd and June 28th.

How will we be transported from location to location?

• The plan is to rent a charter bus for the week. Some participants may choose to rent a vehicle and follow the bus, but that cost will not be covered by the registration.

Do I need a passport to go to Mexico?

• No, as long as you are a U.S. citizen with no active warrants, you should have no problem crossing the border with only a valid driver’s license.

When is the deadline to register?

• The deadline to register is May 1st, 2025, or when we sell 45 seats. The seats will be sold on a ‘first come-first served’ based on who pays their registration.

Can I bring my spouse, mother, brother, etc?

• Absolutely! The double occupancy registration fee is $750 per person including family.

Will I be staying with someone in the hotel room?

• Yes, if you bring family, we will make sure you are paired with them for accommodations. If you are alone, you will be paired with another person in the hotel room unless you purchase a single-occupancy registration.

Can I pay with a debit card, credit card, check, etc?

• Yes, you can pay with a card using the registration link above, or you can mail a check to ATTN: William Norris PO Box 30003 MSC 3501 Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003 by May 15th.

Can I get a W9 from NMSU?

• Yes, just email me at wnorris1@nmsu.edu.

Can I get an invoice for my payment?

• Yes, just email me at wnorris1@nmsu.edu, and I will send you an invoice.

Can I get graduate credit for attending the trip?

• Absolutely! We can enroll you in a 3-hour special topics course (AXED 5996), and you can transfer it to your institution of choice, or we can get you enrolled at NMSU (some of the cheapest graduate tuition in the country)!

If you have any further questions, please let me know through email at wnorris1@nmsu.edu or my cell phone at (334) 531-7762. We look forward to seeing you in Las Cruces this summer!

2.  Grief Support Group & Farm Succession Series

Click here for more information on the Grief SUpport Group.  

Click here for more information on Farm Succession Series

3. Illinois FFA Distinguished Service Award

The Nomination Process:

Any current member of the FFA/IAVAT Board can submit nominations. Nominations will be forwarded to the Review Committee, which is made up of representatives from the FFA Board, IAVAT Board, and Illinois FFA Center staff. 

Form to be submitted:  Click here

Number of Awardees:  

In order to maintain the prestige of the recognition, it is recommended, but not required, that the number of Distinguished Service awards be limited to two recipients per year.

Individuals nominated for the Distinguished Service award should have a statewide impact. This should be indicated in the application. This impact/involvement will vary greatly from candidate to candidate but not be overlooked in the application.

Eligibility: 

The award is limited to friends of the FFA, with over 20 years of service to the organization. Award winners from the previous year(s) are ineligible. 

Any agriculture teacher who has taught over 20 years and upon retirement continues to support Illinois Agricultural Education for 5 years or more.  

Criteria: 

Exemplary Achievement and Performance: 

Examples could include, but are not limited to: 

• Golden Owl State Winner

• Honorary Degrees - American, State 

• National FFA VIP Citation

Excellence in Personal Interaction: 

Examples could include, but are not limited to: 

• Individual has volunteered countless hours to the State FFA Organization.

• American FFA Degree application judge

• American FFA Degree Interview Judge

• CDE/LDE judge

• CDE/LDE Host or host site coordinator

• State FFA Degree application review team

• Event Volunteer

  • State Convention

  • State Fair

  • Corn Congress

  • Camp or Conference

  • Chapter Visits

  • STAR Conference

Outstanding Education Support/Initiative and Creativity: 

Examples could include, but are not limited to: 

• Member of ILCAE

• Member of ICAE

• Member of Illinois FFA Alumni & Supporters State Council

• Member of the Illinois Foundation FFA Board 

• The individual has served on a State FFA committee.

• The individual has made a substantial financial contribution to the State FFA Organization.

• The individual has helped secure multi year financial commitments.

• In-kind support, including mentorship, communication and marketing support.

• Individuals have created or implemented new learning experiences for the benefit of the State FFA Organization, its members, advisors, and/or staff.

Distinguished Award Review Committee: 1 State Staff, 1 Adult FFA Board, 1 IAVAT Board Rep, 2 FFA Bd Students

Application Deadline: April 1 

4.  Hoofbeats Through Illinois

Horseman’s Council of Illinois (HCI) is excited to host an equine event “Hoofbeats Through Illinois” on March 8 & 9, 2025 at the Springfield State Fairgrounds.  There will be clinicians, vendors, a ranch rodeo and multiple youth competitions. 

A youth horse judging contest will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025.  Information will be updated on the Council’s website.  Great prizes will be awarded including champion belt buckles for the first-place individuals in each age group.  Team prizes will be awarded also.

Horsemen's Council of Illinois - Home

We are planning to start the contest at 10 am.  Preregistration is preferred. FFA or 4-H members can register through Judging Card Event Information and registration is currently open.  Those not   affiliated with FFA, or 4-H can register with Tracey Walker at hci@horsemanscouncil.org  The fee to register is $20.00 per contestant, late registration begins March 1 and is $30 per contestant.  Black Hawk College will be providing official placings. 

 If you have any questions, please reach out to me, Stephanie Speiser, HCI Director - sspeiser@siu.edu or 618-924-1668 cell

5. WIU Ag Day at Mens and Womens Basketball

Ag day - Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Western Illinois University Basketball Games.  Women play at 1:  p.m. and men at 3:30 p.m. the doors open at noon.  FREE for Ag kids and families - Sign in at the Ag table in the main concourse.  They will announce kids during halftime.  For more information please contact Daphne Thorman - daphnethorman@yahoo.com

6.  Green and Growing Education

Message from Jason Ferreira, the Outreach Coordinator for Green and Growing Education. Green and Growing Education has been providing quality Agriculture Education and FFA program virtual professional development for over half a decade! Each year we host a virtual professional development conference in the summer providing agriculture teachers in your state with quality virtual professional development experiences designed for agriculture teachers, by agriculture teachers. To this date, Green and Growing Education has provided 10 high quality virtual professional development conference experiences to over 3,500 Agriculture Teachers from across the nation.

They are looking for their 2025 Summer Germinate Conference workshop presenters NOW and have opened up the Germinate Summer Conference Speaker Applications to provide your Agriculture Teachers with a chance to serve as a conference speaker/presenter and share the outstanding work they are doing within your programs. Your Agriculture Teachers can submit their applications NOW to serve as a speaker! Speakers are compensated for their workshops and provided full access to the conference festivities so that they can also grow and help further serve the agriculture student population in your states.

Germinate Summer Conference Speaker Application We are hopeful to glean from agriculture teachers in every state in our great nation as we know your teachers are providing impactful experiences. Please help us spread the word and learn from your agriculture teachers!

Should you have any clarifying questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to working with you side by side to help your Agriculture Education and FFA program staff further serve the student population in your states.

Follow us on Facebook (Green and Growing Education) and Instagram (@greenandgrowingedu) Social Media! You will find impactful stories and resources being shared plentifully. At Green and Growing Education we firmly believe that if your Green you are Growing and if you are Ripe you will Rot. Help our Agriculture Teachers stay Green and Growing!  Respectfully,  Mr. Jason Ferreira, Outreach Coordinator Green and Growing Education

**** 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 - 1-27-25

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

• January 30, 2025 - Spring PAS Conference Registration DUE

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

• January 31, 2025 - Deadline for Foundation Program and Stage Recognition for Sponsorship and Collections

• February 3, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference #1, JJC, Joliet, IL

• February 4, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference #2, JJC, Joliet, IL

• February 6, 2025 - Ground Zero Conference, Effingham, IL

• February 7, 2025 - State Horse CDE, Black Hawk College, East Campus, Galva, IL

• February 8, 2025 - State FFA Officer Candidate & Parent Orientation, IL FFA Center, Springfield

• February 10-12, 2025 - American FFA Degree Interviews, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• February 13, 2025 - Spring PAS Conference, Heartland Community College, Normal, IL

• February 15, 2025 - State Meats & Evaluation CDE Early Bird Registration ENDS

• February 15, 2025 - State Vet Science CDE Early Bird Registration ENDS

• February 15, 2025 - State Meats & Vet Science CDE Special Accommodations Form DUE

• February 15, 2025 - State Ag Ed CDE Lesson Plans DUE

• February 16-23, 2025 - National FFA Week

• March 1, 2025 - Alumni Rosters & Dues DUE

• March 1, 2025 - Sam Taylor Scholarship Applications DUE

• March 1, 2025 - IL FFA Alumni Camp Scholarship Applications & Letter of Recommendations DUE

• March 1, 2025 - State Officer Applications DUE

• March 1-2, 2025 - Products Expo, IL State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL

• March 6, 2025 - District Proficiencies

• March 7, 2025 - Women Changing the Face of Agriculture, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

• March 17, 2025 - Spring Middle School Conference, Sauk Valley College Registration ENDS

• March 19, 2025 -   Spring Middle School Conference, Rend Lake College Registration ENDS

• March 21, 2025 -  Spring Middle School Conference, Lincoln Land Community College Registration ENDS

• March 21, 2025 - State Dairy Cattle CDE Mandatory Registration ENDS

• March 21, 2025 - Special Accommodations Form for State Dairy Cattle CDE DUE

• March 22, 2025 - State Awards Day, Mt. Zion High School, Mt. Zion, IL

• March 29, 2025 - State Food Science CDE Mandatory Registration ENDS

• March 31, 2025-Spring Middle School Conference, Sauk Valley College, Dixon, IL

• April 1, 2025 - National Chapter Applications DUE

• April 1, 2025 - Eldon Witt Scholarship Applications DUE

• April 1, 2025 - Honorary State FFA Degree Applications DUE

• April 2, 2025 - Spring Middle School Conference, Rend Lake, Ina, IL

• April 4, 2025 - State Dairy Cattle CDE, Livingston County Fairgrounds, 18142 4H Park Rd, Pontiac, IL

• April 4, 2025 - Spring Middle School Conference, LLCC, Springfield, IL

• April 9, 2025 - Invitational Marketing Plan Materials DUE