The American FFA Degree An Introduction

1. The American FFA DegreeAn Introduction

2. National FFA OrganizationThe FFA Mission • FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

3. The American FFA Degree • The American FFA Degree is the highest level of membership. • You must have received the Greenhand, Chapter and State FFA Degrees. • Based on your SAE program, FFA leadership activities and community/school activities.

4. Qualifications • Been an active member for the past three years and a record of satisfactory participation in chapter and state FFA activities. • Graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.

5. Completed the equivalent of • at least three years (540 hours) of secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, • or completed all of the agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended • or two years of secondary agriculture education and one year of instruction in a postsecondary agriculture program.

6. Have in operation an outstanding SAE program. • Have earned and productively invested at least $7500 or have earned and productively invested at least $1500 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours times a factor of 3.33 plus any dollar amount of earnings must be equal to, or greater than $9000.

7. The national constitution does not allow you to report hours you invested working on your entrepreneurship enterprise as unpaid hours. You can count only unpaid hours such as volunteer work, directed lab and/or research and experimentation. • You need a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have a high school scholastic record of “C” or better.

8. SAE Programs • SAE programs form the basis of the American FFA Degree. It usually takes six to seven years of an SAE program before you can obtain the degree. If you are just starting in FFA think about the following: • What do you want from your SAE program? • Do you want your own business? • Do you want to learn skills for a specific career?

9. There are two types of SAE programs, entrepreneurship and placement. • Entrepreneurship programs involve ownership of one or more agricultural production or agribusiness enterprises. • Placement programs are work or experiences that may be paid or unpaid. Examples would include working at an agribusiness, doing research and experimentation, directed laboratory or home improvement.

10. Both placement and entrepreneurship programs may be used or a combination of the two programs to apply for the American FFA Degree

11. Selection of Recipients • All candidates who meet the minimum constitutional requirements are eligible to receive the degree. • Chapter advisors and state staff check for accuracy and verify meeting requirements. • Sent by state to National FFA Center by June 30 for review. • Qualified candidates are recommended to the National FFA Board of Directors in July.

12. What do you need to do? • Keep your SAE records up to date. Updating your records weekly will make filling out the application quick and EASY! • Become involved with FFA on the chapter, state and national level. • Become involved with associations related to your SAE program. For example if you are interested in landscaping, contact your state landscape association for information.

13. Help Resources • Local chapter advisor • FFA Alumni and business persons • Other teachers in your school • English/business teachers • Vocational teachers in fields related to your SAE • State FFA staff • National FFA- Kevin Keith 317-802-4254 email: kkeith@ffa.org

14. Additional Resources • SAE Central website-www.cals.ncsu.edu/agexed/sae/toolbox/ index. html • National FFA website-www.ffa.org • American FFA Degree handbook • Electronic applications on National FFA website