FFA Degrees

Greenhand FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the Greenhand FFA Degree from the chapter, a member must

meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised

    agricultural experience program.

2. Learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute and FFA mission statement.

3. Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.

4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the

    FFA jacket.

5. Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter

    constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.

6. Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the Official FFA

    Student Handbook.

7. Submit written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

Greenhand Degree Application

Chapter FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the Chapter FFA Degree from the chapter, a member must

meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.

2. Must have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours

    of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level,        

    have in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience program and be enrolled in  

    an  agriculture course.

 3. Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official

     functions in the chapter’s Program of Activities.

4. A student after entering agricultural education must have:

    a. earned and productively invested at least $150 by the member’s own

        efforts; or worked at least 45 hours in excess of scheduled class time; or a

        combination thereof; and

    b. developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a

        supervised agricultural experience program.

5. Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes.

6. Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.

7. Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs.

8. Have a satisfactory scholastic record.

9. Have participated in at least 10 hoursof community service activities. These

    hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised

    agricultural experience hours.

10. Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree.

Other requirements may be established bythe chapter and/or the state FFA association.

Chapter Degree Application

State FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the State FFA Degree from the state association, a

member must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.

2. Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of

     receiving the State FFA Degree.

3. While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two years (360

     hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above

     the ninth grade level, which includes a supervised agricultural experience

     program.

4. A student after entering agricultural education must have:

    a. earned and productively invested at least $1,000; or

    b. worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time; or

    c. a combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural experience program.

5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:

    a. Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.

    b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA.

    c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating memberof a chapter    

        committee.

6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural

    education instructor and the principal or superintendent.

7. Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter’s Program of

    Activities.

8. Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level.

9. Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service, within at least two

    different community service activities.

These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised

agricultural experience hours.

The percentage of the total state membership that may receive the State FFA

Degree and other requirements may be established by the state FFA association.

The State FFA Degree Application can be submitted utilizing

www.ffa.org and each FFA member's login.

The American FFA Degree is awarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs).

Approximately 3,500 American FFA Degrees are handed out each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo. That number represents less than half of one percent of all FFA members, making it one of the organization’s highest honors.

In addition to their degree, each recipient receives a gold American FFA Degree key.

The top American FFA Degree recipients from each state may also be nominated for an American Star Award. Recipients of the 2015 American FFA Degree will be announced in August.

Qualifications 

NOTE:  All applications must be submitted electronically through Application Center located on ffa.org   Excel applications will no longer be accepted.

A student after entering agricultural education must have:

1. Have received the State FFA Degree, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state level.

2. Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed at least the equivalent of 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended.

3. Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.

4. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program, through which the member has exhibited comprehensive planning and managerial and financial expertise.

5. A student after entering agricultural education must have:

   1. Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or

   2. Earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56, plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producting earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree.

6. Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.

7. Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.

8. Applicants must submit an application electronically through ffa.org. Applicants must submit the signature page with the signatures of the chapter president, chapter advisor, superintendent or principal, and state advisor or state executive secretary, certifying accuracy of all statements in the application and that the applicant conducted him/herself in a manner to be a credit to the organization, chapter and community.

    

   American Star Awards

   American Star Award nominees are selected based on the quality of their American FFA Degree applications. Each state FFA association may recommend one candidate for each of the four award areas:

9. Star Farmer

10. Star in Agribusiness

11. Star in Agricultural Placement

12. Star in Agriscience