Items in this listserv:

HOT TOPICS - MUST KNOW:  

• HOT, HOT, HOT - SCORCHIN’ HOT - Dave Cain Photo Contest

• Click here to submit your photos by Thursday, May 1, 2025.   

• Here are some good example photos.  Click here for the rubric.  

• click here to view the 2024 winning photos.  

• HOT, HOT, HOT - The deadline for the 2024-2025 Illinois FFA Membership year is coming to an end on May 1, 2025.  Please be sure to have all of those second-semester students added and submitted to the FFA roster as soon as possible.  Remember that it is important to submit members each year to have the year in their membership history for the future when they may be applying for degrees, proficiency awards, and scholarships.   If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Yard (tyard@illinoisffa.org).

• HOT, HOT - The Illinois FFA Alumni and Supporters Gator Raffle Tickets are still available to sell or purchase.  After selling tickets, you can send them by Priority Mail to the IL FFA Center (please do not mail cash) or bring the money/tickets on the convention's first day to registration. Please contact pdavis@illinoisffa.org for more information.

• Applications for State FFA Convention

• DUE May 15, 2025 - State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom App 

• DUE May 15, 2025 - State Convention Courtesy Corps Application 

****NEW Information****

1.  Illinois FFA Distinguished Service Award Recipients

2. Illinois FFA Honorary Degree Recipients

3. 2025 Illinois FFA State Officer Candidates

4. Calling ALL Delegates, they MUST be signed up by May 16, 2025

5. 2025 National FFA Scholarship Winners from Illinois FFA

6. Illinois FFA State, Band, Chorus, and Drumline Announcement

7. FY26 Section Fair Contracts Upload to 2025-26

1.  Illinois FFA Distinguished Service Award Recipients

Illinois FFA is beyond thankful for the service of Dr. Andy Baker and Mr. Matt Wilson, they have served Illinois Agricultural Education and FFA in various capacities and committees for over the past 20+ years.  

Dr. Andrew J. Baker has made a lasting impact on Illinois agricultural education and FFA through leadership, curriculum development, and educator mentorship. Dr. Baker served as the Director of Agricultural Education at WIU – Trained 100+ future ag teachers. Secured $24,000+ in funding for teacher support & curriculum development. Dr. Andrew J. Baker has significantly influenced  Illinois agricultural education and FFA. His work with agricultural education organizations has shaped policies, teacher preparation, and student experiences across our state. As he retires, may this award remind him of just how much he will be missed. 

Mr Wilson has volunteered a tremendous number of hours over the years reviewing and interviewing American FFA Degree candidates, judging Parliamentary Procedure, and various other FFA events.  He has rendered outstanding service to the FFA, helped advance agricultural education, positively impacted the Illinois FFA, and gone above and beyond. 

The officers of the 2024 - 2025 Illinois FFA State Officer team are very appreciative of Dr. Baker and Mr. Wilson for the support they have provided to agriculture, agricultural education, the Illinois FFA, and all of our young leaders in agriculture.  Please join us at the 97th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention to celebrate and award Dr. Andy Baker and Mr. Matt Wilson with the Illinois FFA Distinguished Service Award.

On behalf of the Illinois Association FFA, we thank them both for their service and support to the  Illinois Association FFA.

2.  Illinois FFA Honorary Degree Recipients

It is with great pride that Illinois FFA shares our list of 2025 Illinois FFA Honorary Degree Recipients.  These tremendous friends of Illinois FFA have made and will continue to make a significant impact on Illinois FFA., We are exceptionally thankful for all they do for Illinois FFA.  Please help us celebrate the 2025 Honorary State FFA Degree recipients.  Illinois FFA Honorary Degree over the years, click here.  

3. 2025 Illinois FFA State Officer Candidates

The 2025 Illinois FFA State Officer Selection Committee process took place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, many thanks go out to the members of our Selection Committee; they had a challenging job to do.  

We are pleased to announce our 2025 Illinois FFA State Officer Candidates, click here to view the candidate resume’ folder and click here to view the candidate introduction video.   

****AGAIN THIS YEAR****

Please click here to view the Illinois FFA Officer Campaigning Guidelines and the press release that an FFA Chapter or Family of a candidate may use.  

FFA Chapters, advisors, family, or friends who wish to recognize their candidate in print or on social media may ONLY use the press release and social media required caption created by Illinois Association FFA. The press release or caption may be accompanied by one photo of the candidate or the official candidate announcement video that is released by the Illinois Association FFA. 

Here is the Social Media required caption:  

(Name) was selected as A 2025 Candidate for the 2025 - 2026 Illinois FFA Major State Officer Team.  (Name) is a member of the (Name of Chapter) FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA.  (Name) is the (daughter or son) of (Names of Parent(s) from (Parent(s) Address(es).  (Name of Teacher/s) is the agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at (Name of School).

Earning this distinction of being named one of the ten candidates now makes (Name) eligible to be elected one of the five Illinois FFA Major State Officer positions of President, Vice-President, Reporter, Secretary, or Treasurer at the 97th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, IL beginning at 7:30 a.m.  

4.  Calling ALL Delegates, they MUST be signed up by May 16, 2025

Delegates (up to 2 members from each chapter) need to attend the business session on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the conclusion of the 1st General Session AND of course the Elections Session, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.  Delegate registration must be completed by May 16, 2025, to reserve their free convention t-shirt for serving as a delegate.  NOTICE:  Please register two delegates and their t-shirt sizes by May 16, 2025, to receive a free convention t-shirt, which will be in your registration chapter packet at convention.  ALL DELEGATES MUST be registered on May 16, 2025.  ALL delegates will be using their own electronic device for voting again this year; we WILL NOT have clickers for voting during elections.  

When will our Chapter Delegates get their delegate t-shirt? They will be in pre-registration chapter packets to be picked up at the 97th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention.  If you wait and register at the state convention, your delegates will not get a free convention t-shirt.

5.  2025 National FFA Scholarship Winners from Illinois FFA

WOW, Illinois FFA members earned over $178,000 in scholarships through their FFA journey from the National FFA Scholarship program.  CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 National FFA Scholarship Winners from Illinois FFA. 

6.  Illinois FFA State, Band, Chorus, and Drumline Announcement

Congratulations to the following FFA members.  We are thrilled to have such great participation at the State Convention.  Our FFA members are incredibly talented, and for that, we are very grateful.  Click here to see who those dedicated members are and their schedule for the State Convention. SPECIAL NOTICE: The Band, Chorus, and Drumline member buttons will be with the Directors on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.   

7.  FY26 Section Fair Contracts Upload to 2025-26

The website now has the 2025-26 Chapter Contract Year added to 

www.ilaged.org, so you can upload your fair contracts vs. emailing them to

intern@illinoisffa.org.  Please see these updated instructions.

**** 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 - 3-10-25

• 2025 IAVAT Conference Crowne Plaza Room Block Link: Closes 

May 16, 2025

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

• May 1, 2025 - Agriscience Fair Papers DUE

• May 1, 2025 - Reporter Application DUE

• May 1, 2025 - State Ag Mechanics CDE, Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL

• May 1, 2025 - Parliamentary Procedure LDE,  Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL

• May 1, 2025 - Conduct of Chapter Meetings,  Illinois Central College, 1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL

• May 5, 2025 - State Ag Business Management CDE, 2-Day Mandatory Registration ENDS

• May 5, 2025 - Agriscience Fair Interviews by Appointment Only

• May 5-6, 2025 - Illinois State Envirothon CDE, Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL  61856

• May 7, 2025 - State Ag Business Management CDE, District Sites TBD

• May 15, 2025 - Job Interview Results DUE

• May 15, 2025 - Public Speaking LDE Results DUE

• May 15, 2025 - Greenhand Quiz Bowl Results DUE

• May 16, 2025 - State FFA Convention Registration ENDS

• May 16, 2o25 - IAVAT Conference Crowne Plaza Hotel Room Block ENDS

• May 21, 2025 - FY26 Section Fair Contract DUE

• May 26, 2025 - Ag Issues Mandatory Registration ENDS

• May 26, 2025 - Ag Communications, Mandatory Registration ENDS

• May 26, 2025 - Special Needs Accommodations Form for Ag Issues or Ag Communications DUE

• May 28, 2025 - Ag Issues Materials DUE

• May 28, 2025 - Job Interview Materials DUE

• May 28, 2025 - Public Speaking Materials DUE

• June 1, 2025 - IAVAT Conference Registration $50 Late Fee Begins

• June 1, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Registration ENDS

• June 6, 2025 - Ag Communications CDE Mandatory Materials DUE

• June 9, 2025 - State Ag Communications, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 9, 2025 - Ag Issues, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703 

• June 10-12, 2025 - State FFA Convention, BOS Center, 1 Convention Plaza, Springfield, IL 

• June 10, 2025 - Public Speaking LDE at State FFA Convention, Springfield

• June 11, 2025 - Greenhand Quiz Bowl at State FFA Convention, Springfield

• June 16-18, 2025 - IAVAT Conference, Crowne Plaza, 3000 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62703

• June 22-28, 2025 - IL FFA Washington Leadership Conference Trip

• July 3, 2025 - IL FFA Center closes at 12:30 p.m. 

• July 4, 2025 - IL FFA Center CLOSED

• July 7, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Health Profile, Signature Form/Insurance Card, and Obstacle Course FORMS DUE

• July 7-11, 2025 - State FFA Officer Meeting, SIU, Carbondale

• July 9-10, 2025 - 2nd Year Ag Teacher Conference, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• July 17, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp Arrive Late/Leave Early Forms DUE

• July 21-24, 2025 - Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, 4-H Camp, Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL  61856

• July 29-30, 2025 - Beginning Advisors Conference, Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Rd, Springfield, IL 62703

• July 31, 2025 - Joint FFA/IAVAT Board Meeting, Springfield, IL

• August 1, 2025 - IAVAT Section Chair Meetings, IL FFA Center, Springfield, IL

• August 5-6, 2025 - Illinois FFA State Officer Meeting, IL FFA Center, Springfield,