Degrees
What are FFA Degrees?
FFA is structured into a degree program that rewards active FFA members for progress in all phases of leadership, skills, and occupational development. The Discovery FFA Degree (not offered by American Falls FFA), the Greenhand FFA Degree, and the Chapter FFA Degree are awarded at the chapter level. State associations award top members with the State FFA Degree. The highest degree, the American FFA Degree, is conferred upon an elite group of members at the national level.
All degrees require records in the Agricultural Experience Tracker (AET). We utilize this program, like most chapters, to keep accurate records of our students' progress in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and other activities.
Below is a quick snapshot of the requirements needed to achieve each degree level. Talk to an advisor to learn more!
The Greenhand FFA Degree is for first-year members. This degree is required before students are able to receive their Chapter FFA Degree, State FFA Degree, and American FFA Degree.
To be eligible to receive the Greenhand FFA Degree from the chapter, a member must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience program.
Learn and explain the FFA Creed (English or Spanish), motto, salute and FFA mission statement.
Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.
Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the Official FFA Student Handbook.
Submit an application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.
The Chapter FFA Degree is typically for second-year members. This degree is required before students are able to receive their State FFA Degree and American FFA Degree.
To be eligible to receive the Chapter FFA Degree from the chapter, a member must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
Must have completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of school instruction in agricultural education, have an approved SAE, and be enrolled in an agriculture course.
Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter’s Program of Activities.
A student after entering agricultural education must have:
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
Developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a SAE program.
Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes.
Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.
Shown progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs.
Have a satisfactory scholastic record.
Have participated in at least 10 hours of community service activities.
Submit an application for the Chapter FFA Degree.
The State FFA Degree is typically for third-year members. This degree is required before students are able to receive their American FFA Degree. The State FFA Degree is a basic requirement for numerous leadership positions and scholarships within FFA.
To be eligible to receive the State FFA Degree from the state association, a member must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.
Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree.
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.
A student after entering agricultural education must have:
Earned and productively invested at least $1,000; or
Worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time; or
A combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural experience program.
Demonstrate leadership ability by:
Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.
Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA.
Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee.
Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or superintendent.
Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter’s Program of Activities.
As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career. American FFA Degree recipients show promise for the future and have gone above and beyond to achieve excellence. Most agriculturally-related businesses and companies understand and appreciate the value of the American FFA Degree.
To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications:
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 activities on the chapter and state levels.
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.
Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.
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.
A student after entering agricultural education must have:
Earned at least $10,000 and productively invested at least $7,500; or
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 producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree.
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.
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.
Applicants must complete and submit the current version of the American FFA Degree application authorized by the National FFA Organization.
The Greenhand FFA Degree pin is bronze to represent hardness and endurance. This pin is worn under your name on your FFA jacket.
The Chapter FFA Degree pin is silver because there are more precious metals than silver, just as there are more precious awards yet to achieve. This pin replaces the Greenhand FFA Degree pin.
The State FFA Degree pin is gold to represent growth and development. It is worn on a chain on your right hip attached to the inside of your jacket.
The American FFA Degree pin is gold and the pin itself represents a significant accomplishment. It is not worn on an FFA jacket, but rather displayed in a frame.
Star Awards
The American Falls FFA Chapter selects one Star Greenhand FFA Degree and one Star Chapter FFA Degree each year at the chapter banquet. The recipients are selected by the officer team. Recipients are determined based on the quality of their application, their supervised agricultural experience and records, and their participation in FFA events throughout the year.
An additional portion to the State FFA Degree and American FFA Degree includes the State Star Awards and American Star Awards. These members have gone above and beyond in their attitude, involvement, community service and supervised agricultural experience. Finalists for these awards have mastered skills in production, finance, management and/or research. In order to achieve such an honor, students need to actively work towards the application standards early in their FFA career.
Talk to an advisor to learn more!