FFA Proficiency Awards & Degrees

Supervised Experience Five FFA Degrees American Degree State Degree Chapter Degree Greenhand Degree Discovery Degree Supervised Experience

Supervised Experience Discovery Degree Discovery degree recipients receive a pin in the shape of the FFA emblem with an attachment at the bottom stating Discovery. The emblem is made of bronze and highlighted in blue. Discovery Supervised Experience

Discovery Degree Requirements Be enrolled in an agriculture class for at least a portion of a school year while in grades 7-8 Pay FFA dues Participate in a minimum of one FFA chapter activity outside of scheduled class time

Discovery Degree Requirements Have an understanding of agriculture-related careers and entrepreneurship opportunities Become familiar with the local FFA chapter’s Program of Activities (POA) Submit a written application for the degree

Supervised Experience The Greenhand The first FFA required degree for advancement is the Greenhand Greenhands receive a pin in the shape of the FFA emblem made of bronze Many FFA chapters recognize an Outstanding Greenhand at the end of the school year. Greenhand Discovery Supervised Experience

Greenhand Degree Requirements Be enrolled in Agricultural Education Have satisfactory plans for a SAE Explain the FFA creed, motto, salute, and mission statement Describe the FFA emblem and colors Have a knowledge of the Code of Ethics and proper use of the jacket Have a knowledge of the FFA

Greenhand Degree Requirements... Own or have access to a FFA Manual and FFA Student Handbook Submit a written application for the Greenhand Degree

Greenhand Trivia A book titled “The Greenhand” was written in the 1930s and was later made into a movie. The movie was made in Georgia and involved actual FFA members and officials The story is about a FFA Greenhand.

Supervised Experience Chapter Degree The second degree, which is given at the local level, is the chapter degree. Chapter degree recipients receive a pin in the shape of the FFA emblem made of silver. Supervised Experience Greenhand Chapter Discovery

Chapter Degree Requirements Have the Greenhand Degree Completed 180 hours (or equivalent) of agricultural education Have in operation an approved SAE program Earned $150 from the SAE or worked 45 hours or a combination thereof Have plans for continued SAE growth

Chapter Degree Requirements.... Help conduct 3 official chapter functions found in the Program of Activities Lead a group discussion for 15 minutes Demonstrate 5 parliamentary procedures Submit a written application for the degree Show progress in the FFA individual achievement awards program Have a satisfactory scholarship record

Chapter Degree Trivia Originally the chapter degree was called the “Future Farmer” degree; but this proved to be confusing. After about 10 years the name was changed.

Supervised Experience State Degree The third degree, given at the state convention, is the State degree. State degree recipients receive a pin in the shape of the FFA emblem made of gold. Supervised Experience Greenhand Chapter State Discovery

State Degree Requirements Have received the Chapter FFA Degree Have been an active FFA member for 2 years Completed 360 hours (or equivalent) of agricultural education Earned and invested $1000 or worked at least 300 hours or combination thereof

State Degree Requirements ... Demonstrate leadership ability by: (a) Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law (b) Giving 6 min. speech on agriculture or FFA (c) Serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or member of chapter committee

State Degree Requirements... Have participated in planning and completion of chapter Program of Activities Have participated in 5 FFA activities above chapter level Have a satisfactory scholarship record

State Degree Trivia Originally, the chapter, state and American FFA degrees had the word “Farmer” as part of their official name. This word Farmer was dropped in 1988.

Supervised Experience American Degree The fourth degree, given at the national convention, is the American degree. American degree recipients receive a pin in the shape of the FFA emblem made of gold. It is bigger than the state degree and has a special vertical bar attached. Supervised Experience Greenhand Chapter State American Discovery

American Degree Requirements Have received the State FFA Degree Have been an active FFA member for the past 3 years Have record of satisfactory participation Completed 540 hours (or equivalent) of agricultural education Have graduated from high school

American Degree Requirements.. Have in operation an approved SAE program Earned $7,500 from the SAE or earned and invested $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours Have record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement Achieved a scholastic record of “C” or better

American Degree Trivia During the first 10 years of the FFA the only degree pin with the American eagle on the top was the American degree. The Greenhand, Chapter, and State degrees did not have the eagle. If you ever see a FFA pin without the eagle, it was made during the 1930s.

FFA Proficiency Awards

What is a Proficiency Award? An award presented by the National FFA to recognize excellence in a SAE program. There are over 40 areas of agriculture for which awards are available.

Proficiency Awards Proficiency award winners are recognized at the: local level district, federation and/or area level state level national level

Proficiency Awards! There are 40+ categories of proficiency awards Placement and entreprenuership SAE programs are recognized in each category Entrepreneurship Beef Production Placement

Proficiency Award Categories At the national level, the top four individuals in placement and in entrepreneurship are recognized in each category (a total of eight). If adequate sponsorship is not available both placement and entrepreneurship are grouped together for judging and the top four are recognized.

Proficiency Award Categories Number of categories vary from year to year depending upon sponsorship. The slides that follow show the typical categories

Agricultural Communications*

Agricultural Mechanical Technical Systems

Agricultural Processing*

Agricultural Sales and/or Service*

Beef Production

Cereal Grain Production

Dairy Production

Diversified Crop Production

Diversified Livestock Production

Emerging Agricultural Technology*

Environmental Science*

Equine Science

Feed Grain Production

Fiber Crop Production*

Floriculture*

Food Science and Technology*

Forage Production*

Forest Management*

Fruit and/or Vegetable Production*

Home and/or Community Development*

Horticulture*

Landscape Management*

Nursery Operations*

Oil Crop Production

Outdoor Recreation*

Poultry Production*

Sheep Production*

Small Animal Care*

Soil and Water Management*

Specialty Animal Production*

Specialty Crop Production*

Swine Production

Turf Grass Management*

Wildlife Management

Proficiency Award Tips Don’t wait until the junior or senior year to look at the application. Look at the application early and start working on it.

Proficiency Award Tips Look at past applications from the chapter.

Proficiency Award Tips Take pictures throughout the year

Proficiency Award Tips On pictures in the application: Don’t Say “This is a picture of….”. The judges know it is a picture. Change shirts/caps Make captions action oriented “Suckering tomatoes has been shown to…” Don’t show unsafe practices in your pictures (such as no safety glasses while working on machinery)

Proficiency Award Tips Neatness makes a big impression

Proficiency Award Tips Visit the FFA Proficiency Award page on the World Wide Web. The URL is http://www.ffa.org/activities/index.html