What is FFA?

The FFA acronym stands for Future Farmers of America, but officially lost its meaning in 1988 when the name was changed to the National FFA Organization. Now FFA means a path for students to develop their leadership skills though agricultural education. There are opportunities for community service, travel, competition and awards, friends, and always fun.

National FFA Organization

FFA Mission Statement

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.

FFA Creed

"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."

FFA Motto

Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve

Official Dress

FFA Official Dress is worn only by FFA Members on special occasions such as large Chapter functions, National Convention and Expo, other conventions and expos, conferences, and certain CDEs and LDEs.

Official Dress includes the Blue FFA jacket (zipped to the top with tallywack tucked in), white collared shirt, Black Slacks or skirt, Tie or Scarf, and black dress shoes.

If you need to wear official dress, please ask Mr. Johnson or other advisor for a Jacket and tie/scarf.

Opening and Closing Ceremony

Degrees

Earning an FFA Degree requires a deep understanding of how the FFA Organization works, having plans and pursuing an SAE, and obviously a love for agriculture.

More information can be found in the Official FFA Manual!

Greenhand

Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience program. Learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute and FFA mission statement
Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.
Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and theOfficial FFA Student Handbook
Submit written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

Chapter

Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
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 approve supervised agricultural experience program and be enrolled in an agriculture course. Have participated in the planning and conducting of at least three official functions in the chapter’s Program of Activities.
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 schedule class time; or a combination thereof; andB) Developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised agricultural experience program.
Have effectively led a group discussion for 15 minutes.
Have demonstrated five procedures of parliamentary law.
Show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award programs.
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 duplicate as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.
Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree.

State

Have received the 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.
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.
A student after entering agricultural education must have:A) Earned and productively invested at least $1,000; orB) Worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time; orC) A combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural experience program. 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. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or superintendent.
Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter’s Program of Activities. Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level. 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.

American

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. 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. Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to to National Convention at which the degree is to be granted. 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. A student after entering agricultural education must have:A) Earned at least $10,000 and productively invested at least $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. 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. 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. Applicants must complete and submit the current version of the American FFA Degree application authorized by the National FFA Organization.

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