Illinois FFA Center Message-6/18/2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Agricultural Education Funding

HIGH PRIORITY

The State Legislature has passed a state budget providing funds to agencies as well as the Governor's office. ISBE Superintendent Koch's public message indicated it is likely ISBE will be required to have an Emergency Fund for FY11 amounting to approximately $600 million additional out of an already tight budget. Grant lines including Agricultural Education are likely one of the few places remaining to find such funds. In the Governor's earlier proposed budget, all grant lines added together were a little over $540 million. If this is the case, you can see there would be little to no funds for grant lines in the ISBE budget including the Agricultural Education line item.

The impact of a $0 budget for the Agricultural Education line item is immeasurable. All levels of Agricultural Education would be affected including the classroom students and teachers; student organizations (FFA & ILPAS/CFFA); efforts to promote the profession, the industry, and its related careers; and field and support staff (FCAE & AITC County Coordinators) who provide technical assistance and implementation programs directly to schools. Not only would this affect the support, number, and quality of agriucltural education programs and teachers across the state, but this would have a dramatic effect on the agricultural industry in Illinois and the effort to increase the number of students/potential employees through this system not to mention agricultural literacy efforts. If this line item is $0 and in today's fiscal climate, it will be very difficult to re-establish this structure in the future.

It is important that you take action now by contacting the Governor's office. Communications should be sent to Julie Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff - Education. Her e-mail is julie.smith@illinois.gov. Ask that the Governor use his discretionary funds to fund the Agricultural Education line item at $3 million. The other option is for the Governor to exempt ISBE from having to set funds aside for an emergency fund.

You should also contact Superintendent Christopher Koch at ISBE and ask him to fund the Agricultural Education line item at $3 million. His e-mail address is statesup@isbe.net.

Agricultural Education's voice must be heard and it must be heard now. There is no time to waste. You must make the contacts as soon as possible and let them know what you think. Please make sure you keep all communications courteous and on a professional level.

Pass this information on to anyone you know who supports Agricultural Education and is willing to make the contacts.

82nd Illinois Association State FFA Convention

As the title to my post shows, I am currently at the 82nd Illinois Association FFA State Convention. Well, actually I am at the fabulous Super8 (thank you ISU Ag Department!). Now I know that writing out the ENTIRE formal title for convention is a little like overkill, but I cannot help it. Since my first State Convention back in 2005 I get so excited, it's like every time I write it I want to shout it out. So, why is it that I am so excited by this 3 day event at the beginning or June??

I guess you could say that the answer is simple, to me State FFA Convention represents everything that is good about agriculture and makes me proud of the legacy I am leaving behind for future generations. Since I was a freshman in high school State Convention has marked the end of another year and a new page in the story of my life.

When I was just a freshmen in Ag at Normal Community West High School the 2004-2005 Illinois Association State President (again with the titles) came to my class and talked to us about the importance of setting goals. That day I wrote out a goal card and decided to embark on a journey that has brought me through many things, and each year State Convention has been a way for me to tangibly see what I have accomplished towards those goals.

As I was getting ready to head down this year to represent Illinois State University I knew this year was going to be different than all the others. This year is my first time attending State Convention as a non-member, an alumnus. As I look back on my years at State Convention, and think specifically to last year I am reminded of the best convention ever.

The 81st Illinois Association FFA State Convention marked the end of a completed chapter in my life story, the culmination of my FFA career. t was those goals I set back in freshmen year that propelled me through, and brought me to the final page as a retiring State Officer and American Degree Candidate. At the time it all seemed a little too bitter sweet. I had known and loved FFA for so many years, and I could not imagine life without the Blue Jacket, but there were no more lines in the story left to write.

(The 2008-2009 Retiring Section Presidents)

As an FFA Member I became really good at trying to write my own story, or setting myself up to reach that final page. However, I could never quite feel comfortable with that final turn of the page and the thought of starting another chapter. It is something that I struggle with often, and find myself questioning my path to the future.

But without fail the 82nd Illinois Association FFA State Convention has reminded me of the accomplishments that have brought me to this point in my life, and reminded me of why I look towards the future.

So thank you 82nd Illinois Association FFA State Convention, and Agriculture in general for giving me passion, purpose, and hope for the future!