Your step-by-step guide to launching an official high school FFA chapter through the Arizona Association FFA
Step 1: Establish a School-Based Agriscience Program
| Public Schools, Public Charter Schools & Private Non-Profit Schools |
Private For-Profit and Parochial Schools |
If a current Perkin's recipient: add program to coherent sequence.
If not a current Perkins recipient: Secondary-level Arizona local education agencies (LEA) – which include public school districts, public
charter districts, Private Non-Profit schools – seeking to offer Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Programs and affiliate with a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), must apply to become an
approved CTE program through the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century
(Perkins V) “New Perkins V Grant” application process, and must meet all
the requirements set forth in the “Elements of an Approved CTE Program”.
Once the public school district, public charter school district, or private non-profit school has met all the
requirements in the application process, the district/school may then become eligible to offer an approved
CTE program, affiliate with a CTSO for membership, and indicate if they will pursue a federal Perkins grant
or decline the grant (generally in March of each year). The public school district, public charter school
district, or private non-profit school will be required to assure annually, either through acceptance of the
federal Perkins V grant or through submission of the required documentation form, that the CTE program
maintains all elements of an approved program in order to retain CTSO affiliation. |
In order for a private for-profit, parochial school or other entities not accepting Federal Perkins V grant funds, to meet
the requirements to become members of a Career Technical Student Organization-CTSO, the private for-profit,
parochial school or other entity must submit documentation on an annual basis, by or before September 1st of each
year, to ensure they meet the qualifications of a Career and Technical Education program.
Criteria for Annual Submission can be found here. |
Step 2:Contact the Agriscience Program Specialist
Once your program is in place, contact Bruce Watkins, Agriscience Program Specialist at bruce.watkins@azed.gov. He will verify your program’s compliance with state requirements.
Step 3: Gather Students to Develop a Constitution and Program of Activities (POA)
Host an initial meeting with interested students. Together, develop:
- A Chapter Constitution and Bylaws, using available templates if needed.
- A Program of Activities (POA)—a calendar of events, goals, and plans aligned with the three-circle model of agricultural education: Classroom/Lab, SAE, and FFA.
See sample documents on upper right corner.
Step 4: Elect Chapter Officers
Based on your constitution, elect student leaders who will serve as the first officers of your FFA chapter. These students should lead activities, represent the chapter, and assist in completing the chartering process.
Step 5: Complete the Application to Charter a High School Chapter
Once your ag program is approved and your chapter structure is in place, complete and submit the Application to Charter a High School Chapter form to the State FFA Office.
Step 6: Receive Your Chapter Number and Logins
Upon approval, the Arizona FFA will provide:
- Your Official Chapter Number.
- Access to azffa.org tools and resources.
- Your chapter’s AET (Agricultural Experience Tracker) login credentials.
Step 7: Submit the Affiliation Contract and Member Roster
Use the FFA Roster Guide to:
- Submit your Affiliation Contract.
- Register all student members officially through the roster system.
Step 8: Charter Presentation at State Leadership Conference
Your final step is recognition! Your chapter will be formally presented with its Official Charter on stage during the Arizona FFA State Leadership Conference—a moment of pride for students, advisors, families, and your school.