Archived News Items

Child Labor Law Update

12/20/2011

The deadlines have now expired for getting members of the United States Congress to sign on to the House and Senate letters opposing the U.S. Department of Labor''''s proposed rulemaking on the child labor laws pertaining to agricultural labor. Thank you to the NAAE members and others who contacted their members of Congress to request they sign on to the letters.


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FY 2013 Budget Hearings Announced

10/18/2011

The hearing dates for the FY 2013 ISBE Budget were announced on Monday. The first hearing will be on Wednesday, October 19th. We are working to update the advocacy materials using the 2009-10 that are posted at the IAVAT website, but materials posted there are based on the 2008-09 school year. You can download a copy of the materials by using the links in this message or simply clicking on the advocacy link on the IAVAT home page. A copy of the materials are also attached to this message. Additionally, the materials from the Agricultural Education line item reports area would be an excellent resource for you to use.
There will only be five (5) hearings, so it is critically important that Agriculture Education be represented at each meeting to communicate the value of the Agriculture Education Line Item. Section Advocacy Representatives should immediately make plans to have a teacher, retired teacher, alumni, parent at the hearing that takes place closest to them. We know this is very short notice, for those in the Springfield area, but involvement is essential and we cannot make the arrangements while in Indianapolis.
Share the two attachments with those that will be willing to assist. When the materials are updated we will let you know by another listserve.


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A Message from Monsanto to Teachers

7/5/2011
On behalf of Monsanto Company, we would like to thank you for your ongoing commitment to agriculture. As the school year winds down, we hope that you and your students will consider attending this year’s Farm Progress Show, August 30 – September 1, in Decatur, Illinois.
The Farm Progress Show is a great opportunity for Illinois FFA advisors and students to learn more about agriculture and the opportunities that lie ahead for our industry. We are happy to offer again, like in 2009, free admission for Illinois FFA students and advisors on Wednesday, August 31, with the donation of non-perishable food items. We want to make this as easy and convenient as possible so we will be sending bags in August for your students to use.
To receive complimentary admission, students should bring a bag of non-perishable food to the bus entrance of the Farm Progress Show. We had a great response during the last Farm Progress Show in Decatur and found that many chapters turned it into a chapter event by holding bag stuffing parties!
All food collected will benefit food pantries in the Decatur area. We hope you and your students will take advantage of this opportunity while assisting the Decatur area food pantries.
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2011 Committee Vacancies

5/27/2011
Several committee terms in each District are expiring in 2011. Please take a look at the listing in the Committee Minutes Section of our Resource page for a listing of 2011 expiring terms. Thank you for serving our organization!
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We need your help!!!

5/25/2011
The 2011 IAVAT Conference is fast approaching.  Each year, IAVAT seeks to improve the Ag Ed Profession by contributing to scholarship and crisis funds related to Ag Education.  One of the sources of those funds is our annual auction at the Conference Family Barbecue.  If you have ideas for nice items such as (but not limited to) lawn and patio furniture, outdoor equipment, hotel packages, sporting event tickets, arts and crafts, or wood projects that could be valuable auction items, please contact Parker Bane, IAVAT Vice President.  Thank you for helping make a difference in our profession!
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2011 IAVAT Committee Reports

5/11/2011

Most 2011 IAVAT Committee Reports have been posted in the Resources Section.  Thank you to our committee chairpersons for all of their hard work this year!


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