FFA Degrees – 31×24

At a glance

Discovery FFA Degree Requirements

Active FFA member enrolled in an agriculture course for at least a portion of the school year while in grades seven and eight; dues-paying member of FFA at the local, state and national levels; participated in at least one local FFA chapter activity outside of scheduled class time; have knowledge of agriculture-related career, ownership and entrepreneurial opportunities; familiar with the local FFA chapter Program of Activities; submitted a written application for the Discovery FFA Degree. (Receipt of the Discovery FFA Degree is not necessary in order to obtain the Greenhand FFA Degree or subsequent degrees.)

Greenhand FFA Degree Requirements

Active FFA member enrolled in an agriculture course; satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience; learned and can explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute and mission; can describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors; can demonstrate knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and proper use of the official FFA jacket; can demonstrate 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; submitted a written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

Chapter FFA Degree Requirements

Received the Greenhand FFA Degree; completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth-grade level (two semesters); in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience; active FFA member enrolled in an agriculture course; participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter Program of Activities; earned and productively invested at least $150 by 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 supervised agricultural experience; effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes; demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law; show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs; satisfactory scholastic record; participated in at least 10 hours of community service activities (in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours); submitted a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree. Other requirements may be established by the chapter and/or the state FFA association.

State FFA Degree Requirements

Received the Chapter FFA Degree; active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree; 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; 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 supervised agricultural experience; can demonstrate leadership ability (performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law, giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, or serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee); satisfactory scholastic record as certified by local agricultural education instructor and the principal or superintendent; participated in the planning and completion of the chapter Program of Activities; participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level; participated in at least 25 hours of community service within at least two different community service activities (in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours); submitted a written application for the State FFA Degree. 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.

American FFA Degree Requirements

Received the State FFA Degree; active FFA member for the past three years (36 months); record of participation in FFA activities on the chapter and state levels; completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary education school last attended; graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be awarded; in operation and maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience through comprehensive planning, managerial and financial expertise; earned at least $10,000 and productively invested at least $7,500, or earned and productively invested at least $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time, or earned and productively invested a minimum of $2,000 and any combination of hours times a factor of 3.56 plus actual dollars earned which is greater than or equal to the number 10,000; record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and achieved a high school scholastic record of 'C' or better as certified by the principal or superintendent; participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities (in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours); submitted a written application for the American FFA Degree.