Illinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliates
HERITAGE PROGRAM
Application Due to Illinois Farm Bureau – March 15, 2015
Description of Program
The Heritage Program is a competitive exercise that is offered only to FFA Chapters in Illinois. This program is designed to be included as an integral part of each FFA Chapter’s total program of activities. The chapter Heritage Program should be designed to inform people about their heritage and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Increased involvement of every citizen in local, state, and federal issues provides a voice in our legislative process that is granted under our Illinois and U.S. Constitutions.
Benefits of the Program
Individual FFA members, chapters, schools, and local communities each benefit from the program. The most recognizable benefit may be the award tour or award plaque and other recognition, which is given to a winner of the program. However, the greatest value or importance of the program is the benefit derived by recipients of the chapters’ Heritage Activities. A well planned and executed chapter Heritage Program will have a very positive effect on all people reached by the program.
Eligibility
All FFA Chapters in Illinois are encouraged to participate in the Heritage Activities Program. If a chapter is named a section winner for three (3) consecutive years, the chapter will be named a “Triple Crown” Winner.
Awards
Chapters can earn recognition on the chapter, section and state level through the Heritage Activities Program. Chapter recognition levels include Gold, Silver, Bronze and Triple Crown. Chapters can also earn recognition as the Section Winner and Top 5 Chapter. A trip to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. will also be available to representatives of Section Winners and the Top 5 Chapters. Requirements for these awards are described on page 12.
Table of Contents
Sponsors / 1 / Award Requirements / 12 /Evaluation Factors & Scoring
/ 13Certification Form / 2 / Special Award / 12 / Definitions of Category Areas & Examples of Heritage Activities Photo Sample Page / 14-15
16
Form I (Eligibility Entry) / 3-4 / Application Description / 13
Form II (Section Entry) / 5-11 /
Evaluation Procedure
/ 13Sponsors
The Heritage Program is a unique program sponsored for FFA Chapters in Illinois by theIllinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliated Companies Youth Education Committee.
The Illinois Farm Bureau® is a general farm organization that serves a large part of the agricultural community of the state. Financed by dues from its more than 420,271 members, Illinois Farm Bureau works to improve farm income and farming as a way of life. Since its founding, Farm Bureau in Illinois has developed and expanded markets for farm products and served its members through a wide range of legislative, educational, public relations, and business service programs.
GROWMARK is a regional cooperative with annual sales of $6.7 billion (FY 2008 data) providing agriculture-related products, services, and grain marketing in the Midwest, and Ontario, Canada. FS® brand farm supplies and related services are also marketed in the northeastern United States by GROWMARK subsidiaries. Headquartered in Bloomington, IL, GROWMARK strives to bring its members the best possible products complemented by optimal service. GROWMARK’s first predecessor company was established in 1927 when Illinois Farm Bureau members formed local cooperatives to secure a reliable supply of products and services. Its retail brands, including FS Farm Supplies, represent a standard of excellence. The GROWMARK System employs more than 6,000 individuals and serves more than 250,000 farmers through its local member cooperatives and subsidiaries. Additional information is available at www.growmark.com.
COUNTRY® Financial helps families, individuals, and businesses protect themselves from the unexpected. The organization offers a full range of insurance and financial products and services, from auto, home and life insurance to retirement and estate planning services, investment management and annuities. The organization started in 1925 when a group of Illinois Agricultural Association members created an organization to provide fire and lightning insurance. A year later, the new company started offering coverage for autos and equipment. Today, COUNTRY® Financial and its alliances serve about 1 million households and businesses and insure more than 1 million vehicles and half a million homes throughout the United States.
Prairie Farms Dairy is a marketing cooperative that purchases, processes, and distributes a variety of dairy and food products to retailers and consumers throughout the Midwest. The primary purpose of Prairie Farms Dairy is to increase the profitability of its dairy farmer member patrons and to provide the consumer a high quality dairy product. Currently, Prairie Farms Dairy, its wholly owned companies, and its joint ventures operate 34 plants, one fast food distribution warehouse, and distribution points in 23 states with a sales volume in excess of $2.5billion dollars.
The IAA Credit Union serves the financial needs of the employees of the IAA Family of Companies, the members of the Illinois Farm Bureau®, COUNTRY® Financial policyholders, GROWMARK patrons, as well as family members and retirees of these groups. The credit union is a full-service financial institution that is a benefit of Illinois Farm Bureau membership, and employment with the IAA Family of Companies. IAA Credit Union offers a wide range of products from mortgage loans to checking accounts. IAA Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. Profits are returned to members in the form of better rates and services.
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Certification Form / Illinois Farm Bureau® & AffiliatesHERITAGE PROGRAM / 2014-15
Chapter / School / Section
School Address
School Phone / County
Chapter/Advisor E-mail Address
Students Enrolled in Agricultural Education / FFA Membership
Program:
Started: , 20; Ended: , 20; Submitted: , 20
Committee Members / Age / Year In School
Chairperson
Secretary
Indicate Form(s) being submitted for judging: / Form I Form II
We hereby certify the claims and information reported on behalf of the chapter are true and accurate.
Chapter PresidentName: / Signature: / Date:
Heritage Committee Chair
Name: / Signature: / Date:
Chapter Advisor
Name: / Signature: / Date:
School Administrator Superintendent/Principal
Name: / Signature: / Date:
This signed form must accompany the Award Application when submitted!
Form I(Eligibility Entry) / Illinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliates
HERITAGE PROGRAM / 2014-15
Chapter / School / Section
To qualify for an award area, Chapters must answer Yes to 7 out of the 10 questions in Section A, answer Yes to 4 of the 6 questions in Section B, answer Yes to 6 of the 8 questions in Section C, and earn at least 1 point in each of Section D, E and Section F.
A. Answer each question by filling in the blanks with either YES or NO.
1. The chapter selected a chairperson and committee for its Heritage activities.2. The Heritage Program was presented to the members for adoption into the chapter program of activities.
3. The Section President was informed of the chapter’s intent to participate in the program.
4. Speeches, panel discussions, and/or community programs were presented by the chapter relative to the
Heritage program.
5. The chapter utilized the Heritage Program Book, or the Youth Education Web site (www.youthed.org)
to determine program ideas and a plan of action.
6. A Heritage Program was included in the chapter’s calendar of activities and presented to the school
administration.
7. The chapter has established and maintains a current file of Heritage information, including a copy of the
Illinois and U.S. Constitutions.
8. The Heritage Committee reports regularly to the chapter and conducted a mid-year evaluation of the
program to re-examine priorities and goals.
9. The chapter presented a Heritage Committee report to their school principle and/or administration.
10. The chapter developed a budget to finance and conduct planned activities. (Outline of budget must be
completed to receive a point.)
Income / Expenses
B. Chapter members participated in the following activities that include Illinois Farm Bureau® & Heritage Learning Activities over the past year (12 months). These items may not be reported on Form II.
Chapter/Member Participation in
1. Participated in the Ag Legislative Day in Springfield2. County Farm Bureau® & Affiliates – FFA Acquaintance Program
3. Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) & Affiliates Youth Conference
4. Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) & Affiliates Heritage Award Tour
5. Attend a County or Illinois Farm Bureau® sponsored event to gain knowledge/skills for the Heritage Program
6. One other Heritage related learning activity (museum, tour, etc-specify):
This program is sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau®, GROWMARK, Inc., COUNTRY® Financial, Prairie Farms Dairy, & the IAA Credit Union.
2014-15 HERITAGE APPLICATION
2
C. Chapter Activities Conducted. If there is multiple parts to the question (a, b, c), you must be able to say yes to
all parts in order to put yes for the question.
1. The chapter activities related to agricultural, community, state, national or FFA Heritage which includes the following:a. *Kept an up to date chapter scrapbook and displayed it for members and parents to see.
b. *Marched in, or built a chapter float for a local festival/parade promoting Heritage.
c. *Have a National FFA Week Proclamation signed by mayor.
d. *Displayed chapter and individual member awards in the classroom/ag department.
e. *Toured historic sites while attending State or National FFA Convention.
2. The chapter conducted activities related to Patriotism which includes the following:
a. *Presented the colors (flags) at a school or a non-school function.
b. *Chapter members recited or lead the Pledge of Allegiance in some public forum.
c. *Invited a State or Federal Elected Government Official to Chapter Banquet or other Chapter event.
d. *Provide refreshments at polling place.
3. Chapter members were instructed on local issues.
4. Chapter members took action on a specific local issue.
5. Chapter members were instructed on agricultural state issues.
6. Chapter members took action on a specific state issue.
7. Chapter members were instructed on national agricultural issues.
8. Chapter members took action on a specific national agricultural issue.
D. How did the chapter and individual members benefit from the Chapter’s Heritage Program? (5 points Max.)
E. How did the school and community benefit from the Chapter’s Heritage Program? (5 points Max.)
F. Outline the media coverage for your entire Heritage Program. Include number of articles submitted, published, radio/television interviews conducted, Public Service Announcements conducted. (5 points Max.)
Make sure to include the Certification Form with your chapter’s application.
Form II(Section Entry) / Illinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliates
HERITAGE PROGRAM / 2014-15
Chapter / School / Section
How to complete Form II:
Chapters may not report on the specific starred (*) activities listed on Form I.
In the Heritage and Patriotism sections, type a description of the classroom or other instruction members received within each of the categories. Then report on maximum of 1(one) activity that the chapter conducted applying the instruction that they received. In the Government, Current Issues and Advocacy section of the application, describe the classroom or other instruction members received on local, state, and national issues, specify individual issues in the space provided. Then report on the action that the chapter/members took on addressing a maximum of one (1) of the issues. Activities must fit within the sections and category description as outlined on page B, C, D & E of this application form.
Supportive Information:
Supportive materials are limited to photographs only. You may attach no more than twelve (12) photographs on a maximum of 6 pages (two photographs per page). Photographs must include which Form II Activity it relates to under the photograph in addition to a description that cannot exceed the space underneath the photo on the page. A sample photo attachment form is included with this application. The Illinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliates Youth Education Committee reserves the right to retain and use accompanying photographs for publicity. All information must be provided on the official Heritage Activities Award Application, no substitutions or other supplementary material may be added to this application.
Make sure to include the Certification Form and Form I with your chapter’s application.
Section 1: HERITAGE
A. Agricultural Heritage (20 points)
Classroom Instruction on Agricultural HeritageDescribe instruction received, resources used & key topics # members receiving Instruction
Applying Knowledge Learned
Name of Activity: / Supportive Photo Attached
Involvement: / # Members: / # Others:
Describe how members & chapter used the knowledge learned from their classroom instruction to communicate/promote Agricultural Heritage to their fellow members, school and the community. What were the results and what did they learn from the experience?
Form II (continued)
Illinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliates Youth Education Committee / 2014-15
Heritage Program / Chapter / Total Chapter Membership
Section 1: HERITAGE (continued)
B. FFA Heritage (20 points)
Classroom Instruction on FFA HeritageDescribe instruction received, resources used & key topics # members receiving Instruction
Applying Knowledge Learned
Name of Activity: / Supportive Photo Attached
Involvement: / # Members: / # Others:
Describe how members/chapter used the knowledge learned from their classroom instruction to communicate/promote FFA Heritage to their fellow members, school and the community. What were the results and what did they learn from the experience?
C. Community Heritage (20 points)
Classroom Instruction on Community HeritageDescribe instruction received, resources & key topics # members receiving Instruction
Applying Knowledge Learned
Name of Activity: / Supportive Photo Attached
Involvement: / # Members: / # Others:
Describe how members/chapter used the knowledge learned from their classroom instruction to communicate/promote Community Heritage to their fellow members, school and the community. What were the results and what did they learn from the experience?
Form II (continued)
Illinois Farm Bureau® & Affiliates Youth Education Committee / 2014-15
Heritage Program / Chapter / Total Chapter Membership
Section 1: HERITAGE (continued)
D. State Heritage (20 points)
Classroom Instruction on State HeritageDescribe instruction received, resources used & key topics # members receiving Instruction
Applying Knowledge Learned
Name of Activity: / Supportive Photo Attached
Involvement: / # Members: / # Others:
Describe how members/chapter used the knowledge learned from their classroom instruction to communicate/promote State Heritage to their fellow members, school and the community. What were the results and what did they learn from the experience?
E. National Heritage (20 points)