The Blue Ridge FFA Chapter awards this degree to 8th-grade students who have paid their dues (covered in Illinois) and participated in chapter activities. This Degree is NOT a requirement to earn any of the other FFA Degrees.

Requirements:

1. Be enrolled in an agriculture class for at least a portion of the school year while in 8th grade

2. Have become a dues-paying member of FFA at local, state, and national levels. (covered in Illinois)

3. Participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity outside of scheduled class time.

4. Have knowledge of agriculturally related career, ownership, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

5. Be familiar with the local FFA chapter’s Program of Activities.

6. Submit a written application for the degree (Ms. Meisner will hand these out)

This degree is awarded to FFA members who have paid their FFA dues (covered in Illinois) and participated in chapter activities throughout the year. These members must also complete the application for this degree and have a clear plan for or have started on their Supervised Agriculture Experience.

Requirements: WILL BE MET BY BEING IN THE INTRO TO AG CLASS.

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 a written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree. (Ms. Meisner will hand out)

This degree is the highest degree that the chapter can award to its members. To obtain this you have to be enrolled in one ag class, have an up-to-date SAE, and have paid their dues (covered in Illinois). Members must also fill out an application through the chapter.

Requirements:

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 hours of 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 by the chapter and/or the state FFA association.

The Illinois State FFA Degree is the highest recognition given by the Illinois FFA. Members must be either a current Jr or Senior (or graduated the year prior to applying) in order to apply. Students will go through an interview at the Section level for a review of their record books before being recommended to the State. Once recommended a review committee at the state level looks over books before giving final approval. Students who achieve this honor are recognized at the Illinois State FFA Convention.

Requirements:

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.

4. The applicant must have records of a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program that includes at least two (2) calendar years.

5. A student after entering Agricultural Education must have earned at least $1,500 or worked at least 750 hours in excess of scheduled class time in a supervised agricultural experience program.

6. A student after entering Agricultural Education must have productively invested at least $1,000.

7. Demonstrate leadership ability by:

   1. Performing ten procedures of parliamentary law.

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

   3. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee.

   4. Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter Program of Activities.

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

   6. The member's local chapter must certify that it has held not less than twelve (12) meetings during the preceding twelve (12) month period.

8. Be in the upper 40 percent of the class in scholarship or have an average of a 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in all school subjects during the entire period of application for the State FFA Degree. (Only option eligible is the point system used by the student's school)

9. Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service activities that are not a part of the member’s supervised agricultural experience hours and are in addition to the hours required in Article VI, Section E, Item 4. Community Service Guidelines for Degrees

MANDATORY Intent to Apply: Due January 6

Application Deadline: Due January 15

This is 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. (from www.ilaged.org)

Requirements:

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 activities on the chapter and state levels.

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. Earned at least $10,000 and productively invested at least $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 producing 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. Community Service Guidelines

8. Applicants must complete and submit the current version of the American FFA Degree application authorized by the National FFA Organization.