Awards & Degrees

Greenhand Degree 

To receive the Chapter FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• Enroll in an agricultural education program and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).

• Learn and explain the FFA Creed, FFA Mission and Motto, and FFA salute.

• Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and FFA colors.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.

• Own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the Official FFA Student Handbook.

• Submit a written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

Chapter Degree Application 

To receive the Chapter FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• • Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.

  • Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least two semesters of systematic school instruction in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved supervised agricultural experience program, and be enrolled in an Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources course. 

  • Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter Program of Activities. 

  • Have earned and productively invested at least $150 or worked at least forty-five hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised agricultural experience program. The combination of hours multiplied by a factor of 3.33 and dollars must equal or exceed the number 150. 

  • Have effectively led a group discussion for fifteen minutes. 

  • Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law. 

  • Have shown progress toward individual achievement in the FFA awards program. 

  • Have a satisfactory scholastic record. 

  • 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 labor.

  • Have submitted an application for the Chapter FFA Degree.

Lonestar Degree

 To receive a State FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• Received a 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

• Have completed at least 2 years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at our above the ninth grade level, which includes an SAE.

• Have earned and productively invested at least $1000 and, or worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time, in a supervised agricultural experience program. The combination of hours and earnings multiplied by a factor of 3.56 must be equal to or greater than the number 1,000.

• Demonstrated leadership ability by performing 10 parliamentary law procedures, giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, and serving as an FFA officer, committee chairperson, or committee member.

• Have a satisfactory academic record, certified by the agriculture teacher and the school principal or superintendent.

• Participated in the planning and implementation of the chapter’s Program of Activities.

• As of  May 15, have completed ten activities above the chapter level in at least three of six different categories: leadership development events, career development events, conventions and meetings, project shows, student awards and leadership and service as described in policies adopted by the Board of Directors.

• Complete at least 25 hours of community service in a minimum of two different activities. All community service hours are cumulative, i.e. the 10 community service hours used to obtain the chapter degree can be used toward the state degree.

American Degree

 FFA members who qualify for the American FFA Degree:

• Have received a Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree and State FFA Degree.

• Have been FFA members for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in activities on the chapter and state levels.

• Have completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of high school agriculture classes, or 2 years of high school agriculture classes and one year of college agriculture classes (360 hours.)

• Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the National FFA Convention at which their degree will be awarded.

• Have maintained detailed SAE records, which demonstrate outstanding planning, managerial and financial skills.

• A student after entering agricultural education must have: (a.) Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or (b.) Have earned and productively invested at least $2,000 and worked 2,250 unpaid 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.  

• As of December 1 of calendar year prior to the year the member is to receive the degree, have completed at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to the paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.