MINNESOTA
FFA ASSOCIATION

Overview

Students can begin their journey at the chapter level with the Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter FFA Degrees. They can then apply for a State FFA Degree from the state association, and finally work toward the coveted American FFA Degree after graduating from high school.

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Check below for a complete list of degree requirements. Applications for State and American degrees are done electronically through the AET System or FFA.org. 

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Discovery Degree

Discovery FFA Degrees are given out at the chapter level.  To be eligible to receive the Discovery FFA Degree from a chapter, the member must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Be enrolled in an agricultural education class 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, region, state, and national levels.

3. Participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity outside of scheduled class time.

4. Have a 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.

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Greenhand Degree

Greenhand FFA Degrees are given out at the chapter level.  On meeting the following minimum qualifications, the Greenhand Degree may be conferred by the chapter:

1. Be enrolled in agricultural education and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience.

2. Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, Salute and Mission Statement.

3. Describe the FFA emblem, colors, and symbols.

4. Explain the proper use of the FFA jacket and demonstrate a knowledge of the FFA Code of Ethics.

5. Have satisfactory knowledge of the history of the organization.

6. Know the duties and responsibilities of FFA members.

7. Personally own or have access of official FFA Manual.

8. Submit written application for degree for chapter records.

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Chapter Degree

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

1. Members must have held the Degree of Greenhand preceding election to the Chapter FFA Degree and have record of satisfactory participation in the activities of the local chapter.

2. Must have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least 180 hours of systematic school instruction in agricultural education, at or above the 9th grade level, have in operation an improved supervised agricultural experience and be regularly enrolled in an agricultural education class.

3. Be familiar with the purposes and program of activities of the State association and national organization.

4. Be familiar with the provisions of the Constitution of the local chapter.

5. Demonstrate five (5) parliamentary procedure abilities.

6. Demonstrate the ability to effectively lead a group discussion for fifteen minutes.

7. 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.

8. Have a satisfactory scholastic record in an agricultural course.

9. Submit application for the Degree for chapter records.

10. Have participated in at least 10 hours of community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.

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State FFA Degree

The State FFA Degree is given to the top members of a State FFA Association, to receive a State FFA Degree members must meet the requirements:

1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.

2. Have been an active FFA member for at least 2 years (24 months).

3. 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.

4. Have earned and productively invested at least $ 2,000 or worked at least 600 hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof in a supervised agricultural experience.

5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:

   • Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.

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

   • Serving as an officer and/or committee chairperson of a participating member of a chapter committee.

6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the agriculture instructor, principal or superintendent.

7. Have Participated in the planning and completion of chapter program of activities.

8. Have Participated in 10 different FFA activities above the chapter level.

9. Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service, within at least 2 different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.

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American FFA Degree

The American FFA Degree is the highest honor awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experience. 

 

To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization, members 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 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:

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

   • 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.

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Questions? Contact your local FFA advisor for more information about the Chapter, Greenhand and Discovery degrees. Contact Minnesota FFA Association for State and American degree information.

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