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: REMINDER - Harvest for All Program for the 2025–2026 - 8/26/2025 Listserv
· HOT, HOT, HOT - National FFA Scholarship Application is DUE January 15, 2026. Apply today!
· Getting Warmer - 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.
· Getting Warmer - 2026 Illinois FFA Selection Committee - GREAT opportunity for your students - 12.2.2025 listserv
· Luke Warm - Section President Candidate Orientation and Mandatory Survey - 12.2.2025 listserv
· LUKE Warm - National Chapter Award - DUE April 1, 2026, and MUST be SUBMITTED.
****NEW Information****
1. 2026 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Interview Schedule
2. Sam Taylor Scholarship Application - DUE March 1, 2026
3. Eldon Witt Scholarship Application - DUE April 1, 2026
4. Honorary Illinois FFA State Degree Nominations/Application DUE April 1, 2026
5. Reporter Award Applications
6. National FFA Officer Request Form
7. Will Cook Memorial Scholarship
1. 2026 Illinois FFA American FFA Degree Interview Schedule
Please click here to review the 2026 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, 2026.
2. Sam Taylor Scholarship Application - DUE March 1, 2026
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, 2026
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, 2026
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
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 98th Illinois FFA Convention on June 9, 2026. 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 2025 - 2026 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.
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, 2026. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be considered.
Apply here.
-- Mindy Bunselmeyer
Illinois FFA Center
Phone: 217-753-3328
Cell: 217-412-5646
Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702