FFA Knowledge

The FFA Manual

FFA Timeline

Types of Membership

The FFA Creed By: E.M. Tiffany

Official Dress for FFA members

FFA manual.pdf

The FFA Manual

The National FFA Organization started in 1928, but was formerly known as the Future Farmers of America up until 1988. While this national organization is still strong in their agriculture origins, it has broadened its focus to emphasize the diversity of agricultural careers and opportunities. The National FFA Organization invites students to consider careers in not just farming, but chemistry, biology, business, law, technology, environmental science, and more.

The organization has been more inclusive of diverse members and backgrounds, and has adapted throughout its almost 100 year history. Learn more about FFA through the resources provided here.

FFA Timeline

national ffa timeline.pdf

Types of Membership

In addition to active membership, individuals can become members in three other ways—honorary, alumni and collegiate. Honorary membership is conferred upon those individuals who have rendered outstanding service to FFA and agricultural education.The Honorary Chapter, State and American FFA Degrees are limited at each level by a majority vote at regular meetings orconventions. Alumni membership is open to former active members, collegiate and honorary members and other FFA supporters. For more information on alumni membership,visit FFA.org/alumni. Collegiate FFA was formed in 1931 and has continued to be an influential part of agricultural educationon the postsecondary level. Since college is considered higher education, Collegiate FFA provides a higher level of opportunity for membership and empowers values- driven pre-professionals to lead and serve in education, industry and communities.
-National FFA Organization Manual

The FFA Creed By: E.M. Tiffany

"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

Thank you."

Official Dress for FFA members

Official FFA Jacket
White button down Oxford Shirt
Black dress slacks or black knee-length pencil skirt
- NO jeans, leggings, and NO colors other than black
- Off-Black nylons with knee-length skirt
Black dress shoes
- NO sneakers, boots, flip flops, crocs, etc.
Highest Award Pin and Degree (optional)

FFA Degrees

Discovery Degree
Greenhand Degree
Chapter Degree
State Degree
American Degree

The Discovery Degree

To be eligible to receive the Discovery FFA Degree from a chapter, a member must meet the following minimum requirements:1. Be enrolled in an agriculture class for at least a portion of the school year while in grades seventh – eighth.2. Have become a dues-paying member of FFA at local, state and national levels.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 written application for the degree.

This is open to Middle School Students only.

-National FFA Organization FFA Manual

The Greenhand 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.

This is open to high school students only and is for first year high school members.

-National FFA Organization FFA Manual

The Chapter 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; andb. 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.-National FFA Organization FFA Manual

The State 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; orc. 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 member of 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.-National FFA Organization FFA Manual

The American Degree

To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications: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 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:a. earned at least $10,000 and productively invested at least $7,500; orb. 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 traditions agricultural experience hours.8. Applicants must submit an application 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.-National FFA Organization FFA Manual

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