Items in this listserv:
ALWAYS HERE: includes information that remains relevant from week to week. New updates are added as needed.
Illinois FFA Board Reports
Illinois FFA 100th Anniversary Memorabilia - 📋 Click here to complete the form
HOT TOPICS = MUST KNOW
SPICY - GREAT FLAVOR - GOOD TO BE REMINDED: With the Holidays coming up, here’s a good REMINDER - Harvest for All Program for the 2025–2026 - 8/26/2025 Listserv
Getting Warmer - Here is the Illinois FFA Center HOLIDAY office schedule: December 23, 2025 - Illinois FFA Center Closes at 12:30 p.m. for the Christmas/New Year’s Holidays and CLOSED - December 24, 2025, to January 1, 2026 for Christmas/New Year’s Holiday. FFA Center is open on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Getting Warmer - neither HOT nor COLD but when it gets HOT it’s HOT- American FFA Degree - Illinois Procedures - AGAIN THIS YEAR***** The Intent to Apply form is MANDATORY and DUE on January 5, 2026. BIG ITEM to DOUBLE CHECK - Student EMAIL that is in their profile - DO NOT have an old high school email address they no longer have access to. Please ensure they update their email address prior to completing the American FFA Degree application.
Getting Warmer - but when it gets HOT it’s HOT, so don’t let your student procrastinate - National FFA Scholarship Application is NOW LIVE - DUE January 15, 2026. Apply today!
Getting Warmer - 2026 Illinois FFA Selection Committee - GREAT opportunity for your students - 12.2.2025 listserv
TEMPERATE - meaning MILD or MODERATE - 2026 State Officer Parent & Candidate Officer Orientation - Please RSVP for the candidate orientation. Click here to RSVP to attend the 2026 Parent & Candidate Orientation on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The Candidate/Parent Orientation meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is expected to conclude by 3:30/4:00 p.m. att the Illinois FFA Center, 3221 Northfield Drive, Springfield, IL 62702.
Luke Warm - Section President Candidate Orientation and Mandatory Survey- 12.2.2025 listserv
****NEW Information****
1. IL Corn Opens 2026 Scholarship Application Period
2. 2026 Illinois FFA Interns
3. Ag Day Essay Contest
4. Day of Service Mini-Grant - now up to $500!
5. National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA: 2026-27 Application Open
1. IL Corn Opens 2026 Scholarship Application Period
The IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is proud to announce the fourth annual ICGA Scholarship Program, supporting students pursuing degrees in agriculture. The submission period is now open, with applications due by January 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
“Investing in students who care about agriculture is investing in the future of our industry,” said Mark Bunselmeyer, ICGA President and Decatur, Illinois, farmer. “These young people will carry the torch for innovation, stewardship, and leadership in farming, and we’re proud to help them take that next step.”
Eligibility Requirements
· Applicant must be a high school senior or post-secondary student.
· Applicant must be pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field
· Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
· Scholarship recipients must attend at least one IL Corn leadership meeting or event within a year of receiving the scholarship.
· Applicant must hold an active ICGA membership*.
· Each applicant is eligible to receive the IL Corn scholarship only once; previous recipients are not eligible to reapply.
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the online application and include the following materials:
· At least one letter of recommendation from a non-family member.
· A current resume.
· Essay responses to the following questions:
1. What are the three most important issues facing agriculture today, and how would you address them?
2. How do you plan to use this scholarship?
3. Why are you pursuing an agriculture-related career?
*Membership may belong to the applicant, a parent, or a sponsor (such as a farmer or ag industry representative). Applicant must be from Illinois.
2. 2026 Illinois FFA Interns
We are Excited to announce we have hired Clara Allspund, ROWVA FFA member for the Bill Johnson Legislative Intern for next year, and Katy Parker, Dwight FFA member and Taylor Crouch, Maroa-Forsyth FFA member as our 2026 Illinois FFA Center Summer interns.
3. Ag Day Essay Contest
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to enter the National Ag Day Video Essay Contest. This year’s theme is American Agriculture: Imagining the Next 250 years. All entries must be received by midnight on Feb. 6, 2026.
4. Day of Service Mini-Grant - now up to $500!
This grant provides alumni, middle and high school chapters with up to $500 to conduct a one-time service event. Learn more and apply today.
5. National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA: 2026-27 Application Open
Applications are now open for the 2026-27 National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA cohort. Applications close on March 1. The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA are selected and provided training from the National FFA on various educator resources and experiences offered by the organization. Once trained, teacher ambassadors serve in their home state by being a resource for other agricultural educators and answering questions related to the educator resources and experiences. Apply today!