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 Degree Program

A formalized structure for recognizing the growth and development of FFA members is contained within the "Degree Program". This program rewards active FFA members for progress in all phases of leadership, skills and occupational development.  The Discovery FFA Degree, the Greenhand FFA Degree and the Chapter FFA Degree are awarded at the chapter level. Arizona FFA awards top members with the State FFA Degree.  The highest degree, the American FFA Degree, is conferred upon an elite group of members at the national level.

Discovery FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the Discovery FFA Degree from the chapter, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications:

 

1. Be enrolled in agricultural education for at least a portion of the school year while in grades 7-8.

2. Have become a dues paying member of the FFA at local, state and national levels.

3. Participation 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 program of activities.

6. Submit written applications for the degree.

 

Greenhand FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the Greenhand FFA Degree from the chapter, the 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 Official FFA Manual and the FFA Student Handbook.

7. Submit written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree for chapter records.

 

Chapter FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the Chapter FFA Degree from the chapter, the 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 agricultural education course.

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

4. Have earned and productively invested at least $150 by the member’s own efforts 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.

5. Have effectively lead 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. Submit a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree for chapter records. 

10. Meet other requirements as established by the chapter and/or State Association.

 

State FFA Degree

To be eligible to receive the State FFA Degree from the state association, the 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 applying for the degree.

3. While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two (2) years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, which includes a supervised agricultural experience program; if out of high school, must have completed the equivalent of two full years of systematic secondary school instruction (360 hours) in addition to a supervised agricultural experience program.

4. Have earned and productively invested at least $1,250.00 by the member’s own effort in a supervised agricultural experience program, or have worked (other than class scheduled time) at least 500 hours in the case of Directed Laboratory Experience Program, or have earned and productively invested at least $250 and worked 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time.  Earnings from approved agricultural work will be computed on the following ratio:

 

$1.00 earned from productive enterprises equals $1.00

$1.00 earned from work experience equals $1.00

1.0 hour of directed laboratory experience equals a factor of 3.33

 

5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:

a. Performing ten (10) procedures of parliamentary law.

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

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

6. Have both a satisfactory scholastic record (“C” or better) and in Agricultural Education, as certified by the agricultural education instructor and principal or superintendent.

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

8.Have participated in at least eight FFA activities above the chapter level.

9. Meet other requirements as established by the State Association.

American FFA 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 to 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 granted.

4. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program through which a member has exhibited comprehensive planning, managerial and financial expertise.

5. Have earned and productively invested at least $7,500 or have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time.  Any combination of hours x $6.67 plus dollars must be equal to, or be greater than the 16,500.  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.