Items in this listserv:
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 - Illinois Farm Bureau Chapter President Award - Deadline: April 10, 2026, CLICK HERE for the form
HOT, HOT, HOT - Complete FFA Membership
Here is a link to roster instructions that was shared at the beginning of the year when we started completing the rosters in AET, if you need it to refer to. Memberships must be submitted by May 1. If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to contact Tammy Yard, tyard@illinoisffa.org.
HOT, HOT, HOT - JudgingCard will show a zero balance on the Teacher’s Dashboard in AET for conference registrations because you must pay IL FFA for these events. Please download the invoice; it’ll show where to mail the payment. If you register for a CDE, the balance will be calculated, and you’ll pay Ewell Educational Services, Inc. Instructions for finding your invoice.
HOT, HOT, HOT - Pizza Party Opportunity - Rural Health Careers Panel Discussion - Illinois Rural Health Association put this panel discussion together to give Jr high and high school students a better understanding of the careers available to them in the rural health arena on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration is FREE, but registration is required by April 15, 2026. Event contact information: staff@ilruralhealth.org
WARMER - 2026 State FFA Convention Room Blocks - Room Blocks start closing April 30th.
Applications for State FFA Convention
DUE April 15, 2026 - State Convention Band Application
DUE April 15, 2026 - State Convention Drum Line Application
DUE April 15, 2026 - State Convention Chorus Application
DUE April 15, 2026 - State Convention Talent Application
DUE May 15, 2026 - State Convention Farm Credit Newsroom App
DUE May 15, 2026 - State Convention Courtesy Corps Application
****NEW Information****
Illinois FFA State Convention Location - 2028 -2031
2026 IAVAT Service Awards
AGAIN this YEAR - GREAT EVENT - Chapter Showcase & Share
Illinois FFA State Convention to Relocate to Peoria for 2028–2031
The Illinois Association FFA is excited to announce that the Illinois FFA State Convention will be relocating from Springfield to Peoria for the 2028–2031 conventions.
For more than two decades, Springfield has been an exceptional host city for the Illinois FFA State Convention. Countless memories that will last a lifetime have been made, particularly within the Bank of Springfield Center. The Illinois FFA extends its deepest appreciation to the dedicated staff, partners, and community members in Springfield who have served the organization so well over the years. Their commitment and hospitality have played a vital role in the success and growth of the convention.
Personally, I reflect on our time in Springfield, I am incredibly grateful for the relationships we built and the experiences we shared. Those experiences and memories will always be a cherished part of our Illinois FFA history.
As Illinois FFA continues to grow, the move to Peoria presents exciting new opportunities. The Peoria location will allow all convention events and activities to be hosted under one roof, creating a more unified and efficient experience for members, advisors, and guests. The facilities in Peoria also provide the capacity needed to accommodate increasing attendance and enhance the overall logistics of the event.
More details about the 2028–2031 conventions will be shared as planning continues.
2. 2026 IAVAT Service Awards
Please click on this list of 2026 IAVAT Years of Service to review the list of recipients. For any discrepancies or omissions, contact Lori Copsy at lcopsy@illinoisffa.org . Please note that years of service refers to years of IAVAT membership.
3. AGAIN this YEAR - GREAT EVENT - Chapter Showcase & Share
Chapter Showcase & Share - Click here to sign up to bring your Chapter Showcase Display. DUE MAY 15, 2026
The Chapter Showcase will be held in our “Showcase and Share” Room, B6 in the Lower Level of the Bank of Springfield Center, NEW last year and AGAIN this year to the convention. Each chapter may use 1 trifold presentation board to create their display which will stay up throughout the convention. Chapters may set up their display from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday (6/9). There are two 1-hour time slots, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. On Wednesday, we ask that 2 members from each chapter manage their display to answer questions and interact with attendees as they cycle through the room.
The following are items that should be included on a display:
Location
County
Section
District
Picture optional
School Information
Size
Mascot
At least 1 picture
General Chapter Information
Advisor(s)
Officer Team
Size
At least 1 picture
Building Communities
Description of one event that the chapter does that would fit under the Building Communities area of the National Chapter Award application
At least 1 picture
Strengthening Agriculture
Description of one event the chapter does that would fit under the Strengthening Agriculture area of the National Chapter Award application
At least 1 picture
Growing Leaders
Description of one event the chapter does that would fit under the Growing Leaders area of the National Chapter Award application
At least 1 picture
Additional Information or Fun Facts (Optional)
-- Mindy Bunselmeyer
Illinois FFA Center
Phone: 217-753-3328
Cell: 217-412-5646
Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702