Weekly Messages

Illinois FFA Center Message-2/12/2009

Items in this mesage include:

1. Agricultural Education Advocacy Award Application
2. Agricultural Education Advocacy Award Application
3. Washington Leadership Conference Scholarship Due March 1st
4. Leadership Camp Scholarship Application Due March 1st
5. Meet & Greet National FFA Officer Riley Branch
6. Illinois Foundation FFA Scholarships

Agricultural Education Advocacy Award Application

The Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education recognizes partners in the Agricultural Education efforts in Illinois. The "AGRICULTURE EDUCATION ADVOCACY AWARD" was developed to recognize nominees for their efforts, dedication and support for quality education programs in and about agriculture, K-Adult.
All elementary secondary and post secondary personnel responsible for the administration of agriculture education programs. (This includes Ag-In-The-Classroom, Jr. High School, High School, Community College, University, and Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture Education Programs.) Persons eligible include, but not limited to superintendents, principals, school board members and advisory council members. Agriculture Instructors, Elementary Instructors, and Cooperative Extension Advisors are not eligible. Nominations may be submitted by elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and collegiate instructors, as well as Cooperative Extension advisors.
A copy of the application is attached and it can be downloaded at www.iavat.org

Illinois FFA Alumni Annual Meeting and Auction Results

The Illinois FFA Alumni Council would like to thank everyone who attended their annual meeting and supported the scholarship auction.  During the meeting, the officers for this coming year were elected.  They are: President, Dean Olson; Vice Presdient, Jim McCray; Secretary, Janet Rigg; Treasurer, John Riordan; Reporter, James Shelby.  The following district directors were also elected for a two year term:  Dist. I, Loran Wilken; Dist. II, Jason Webster; Dist. III, Dick Myers; Dist. IV, Jaye Snyder; Dist. V, Ted Hughes.  The keynote speaker was Sam Atherton, National FFA Alumni President.  Mr. Atherton addressed the goals for the National Alumni that have recently been set and how we can help achieve those goals.

The annual scholarship auction raised a new record amount of just over $33,000!  A big thank you to all of the donors along with all of the bidders and buyers.  Your support at the acution will allow the Illinois FFA Alumni to continue to offer scholarships to the FFA students for WLC, Leadership Camp, and MFE.  Thank you!

Washington Leadership Conference Scholarship Due March 1

Leadership Camp Scholarship Application Due March 1

Meet & Greet National FFA Officer Riley Branch

The Illinois Association FFA is pleased to have National FFA Western Region Vice President Riley Branch in state during National FFA Week.  As per an earlier list-serve message, Riley will be doing a leadership presentation followed by a meet and greet at The Maschhoffs on Monday evening February 23 at 6:30 p.m.  Please note this is open to all chapter officers including Greenhand officers, etc.  Also in attendance that evening will be Clay Zwilling, State FFA President and Austin Ashby, State FFA Vice President.  This is a great opportunity for your officers to meet and talk to both a national and state FFA officer. 

The Maschhoffs is located approximately 6 miles south of Carlyle on Route 127 just south of the intersection with Route 161.  We do ask that you notify Associate Executive Secretary Frank Dry if you plan to attend so we will know how many to expect and can plan accordingly.  Please e-mail or call Frank with a number by Friday, February 20. 

Illinois Foundation FFA Scholarships

Advisors are reminded the Illinois Foundation FFA administers several scholarships that are available to FFA members who are a senior in high school or who are currently attending a two or four-year college or university.  Information and application forms for each scholarship are available on the downloads section of the Illinois FFA website.   

The scholarships are: Sam Taylor Memorial Scholarship, Sam Taylor Ag Education Scholarship, GROWMARK Scholarship, Henry County Agriculture Scholarship, and Alliance Pipeline Scholarship.  Please contact Associate Executive Secretary Frank Dry if you have questions about any of the scholarships.    

The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1.  There is one application form for both Sam Taylor scholarships.  Each of the other scholarships has a seperate application form that must be used.  All applications can be mailed in one envelope to the Illinois Foundation FFA no later than March 1.