FFA Degree Requirements 

Students can earn their FFA Greenhand degree after completing their first year in FFA.  

The requirements include:

1. You are regularly enrolled in an Agricultural Education class.

2. You know and can explain the FFA colors.

3. You know and can explain the FFA salute.

4. You know and can explain the FFA motto.

5. You must have recited the FFA Creed.

6. You must be familiar with the Chapter Program of Activities.

7. You must be able to describe the FFA emblem and it's symbols.

8. You must pledge to uphold the high ideals of the FFA.

9. You must have started to take part in chapter activities and contribute to their success.

10.  You must have or be planning a satisfactory supervised agricultural experience program for the current year.

11. You have a basic knowledge of the history of the National FFA Organization, Ohio FFA Association and the Van Buren FFA Chapter.

12. You must have passed your Agricultural Education class for the first grading period and currently be passing the class. 

We will have a Greenhand Ceremony during your first year in ag and you will get to decorate your own Greenhand Brick! 

The requirements for the Chapter FFA Degree include:

The Chapter FFA Degree is given to an FFA chapter’s top members.

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

1. Received the Greenhand FFA Degree

2. Satisfactorily completed 180 hours (or the equivalent) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level.

3. Have an approved SAE in operation.

4. Enrolled in an agriculture course

5. Participated in the planning and implementation of at least three official FFA chapter activities.​

6. Have developed plans for continued growth and improvement of their SAE.

7. Effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes.

8. Show progress toward achievement in FFA award programs.

9. Submitted a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree

10. Complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service activities

You will receive this degree at our Spring Annual Chapter Banquet, typically your second year in ag. 

The Requirements for the State FFA Degree include:

1.  Earned the Chapter FFA Degree.

2. Current dues paying member of the FFA and enrolled in an agricultural education program or I have completed all of the agricultural education coursework at my high school.

    3.  At the time of the degree, have satisfactorily completed 1.5 years (270 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program or have completed the program of agricultural education offered at the school last attended or completed 1 year of a secondary agriculture education and .5 year of a post-secondary agriculture program at a technical school or university.

   4.  Applicant has maintained records to substantiate an outstanding SAE program that exhibits comprehensive planning, managerial & financial expertise.

5. A junior, senior or high school graduate.

6.  Familiar with the state and national FFA constitutions.

7. Assisted in the development of our FFA Chapter’s Program of Activities.

8.   By my own efforts from my SAE, I have:

Option 1:

a.   Productively invested at least $2,000 (Line H4)

b.   Total SAE Earnings at least $2,500 (Net Profit) (Line G3)

Option 2:

a.   Productively invested at least $500 

b.   Placement SAE Earnings (Paid) $500 

c.   Paid Placement Hours at least 100

d.   Unpaid hours allowance + SAE Earnings at least $3,000 (Line I3 + G3)

Option 3:

a.   Productively invested at least $500 

b.   Total SAE Earnings at least $500 

c.   Unpaid hours allowance + SAE Earnings at least $3,000 

9. Participated in at least two different state sanctioned Career Development Events (CDE).

(different is defined as content specific, for example General Livestock and Public Speaking)

10. Have demonstrated ten abilities of parliamentary procedure.

11. Have given a six-minute speech.

12. Have been a chapter officer, committee chairperson or a participating member of a major

committee.

13. Have participated in eight (8) FFA activities above the chapter level.

At least two of the activities must come from the following list:

FFA Camp, Ohio Leadership Camp, Fall Camp Programs, 212/360 Conference, Energize Ohio FFA Conference, Mission/Impact Conference, Connect/I Am Conference, Ohio FFA Celebration (2020 grads only), Washington Leadership Conference, Ohio FFA Association Leadership Nights, Ohio Legislative Leadership Conference, National FFA Convention, Ohio Youth Capital Challenge, Ohio FFA Convention, Ohio FFA Agriscience Fair, National FFA Agriscience Fair, National Career Development Events and International Events sponsored by Ohio or National FFA Associations.

~Examples of above the chapter level activities – ag promotion, county fair activities and competitions, invitational CDE, FFA cooperation with local farm or community organization, CDE events that are not state sanctioned, Food for America and other ag literacy programs, activities that support the Ohio FFA Foundation,

Ohio FFA Alumni, and other FFA related activities.

14. Have participated in at least one school or professional organization activity.

15. Candidate has recorded at least 25 hours community service and at least 2 different activities.

16. Have a GPA equal to or greater than 2.0 (should be non-weighted on a 4.0 GPA scale).

17. Have a 93% or better school attendance rate or a GPA equal to or greater than 3.0.

18. Have graduated, I have a 2.0 or greater GPA, as certified by the school guidance counselor.

These degrees are awarded at the Ohio State FFA Convention which is typically in the first week of May. 

The requirements for the American FFA Degree include: 

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 level.

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. Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or

b. 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.

These degrees are awarded at the National FFA convention between the end of October and beginning of November. National FFA Convention will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana.