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Degrees and Awards
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Each degree of active membership requires commitment and a lot of hard work, but you don’t have to be a gifted student or live on a large farm or ranch to reach your goals. The FFA degree system is organized so that all FFA members, no matter where you are from, have an equal chance of obtaining each degree of membership including the highest degree of membership within the FFA, the American FFA Degree. However, you must show progress in your Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program to have a realistic chance at attaining this goal. If you are a freshman or sophomore in high school, now is the time to set your goal and create a road map on how you plan to achieve your goals within the FFA.
Greenhand FFA Degree
FFA members enrolled in their first year of high school credit agricultural science, that have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program and that have demonstrated their understanding of the history and purpose of the FFA may apply for their Greenhand Degree. This degree of active membership is awarded at the chapter level.
To receive a Greenhand FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:
Enroll in an agricultural education program and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
Learn and explain the FFA Creed, FFA Mission and Motto, and FFA salute.
Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and FFA colors.
Demonstrate an understanding of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.
Own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the Official FFA Student Handbook.
Submit a written application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.
Chapter FFA Degree
Those FFA members that have received their Greenhand degree may apply for the Chapter Degree. Members must be enrolled in an agricultural science class, have completed at least two semesters in agricultural science at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved SAE program, demonstrate leadership skills and be actively involved in the activities of the local FFA chapter. This degree of active membership is awarded at the chapter level. The Chapter FFA Degree is given to an FFA chapter’s top members.
To receive a Chapter FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:
Received the Greenhand FFA Degree.
Satisfactorily completed 180 hours (or the equivalent) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level.
Have an approved SAE in operation.
Enrolled in an agriculture course.
Participated in the planning and implementation of at least three official FFA chapter activities.
Earned and productively invested at least $150, or have worked at least 45 hours outside of scheduled class time, or a combination of the two, through their SAE.
Have developed plans for continued growth and improvement of their SAE.
Effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes.
Demonstrated five parliamentary law procedures.
Show progress toward achievement in FFA award programs.
Have a satisfactory academic record.
Submitted a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree.
Complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service activities.
State/Lone Star FFA Degree
This is the highest degree of membership the State FFA Association can award. FFA members may apply to receive the Lone Star Degree only after they have received the Chapter degree. Those wishing to receive their Lone Star Degree must have been an active FFA member for at least two years, complete at least four semesters of agricultural science at or above the ninth grade level, maintain a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program, invest significant time and money in their SAE, demonstrate their leadership skills and show a commitment to the FFA through involvement at the chapter level and above. This degree of active membership is awarded at the state level during the Texas FFA convention.
To receive a State FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:
Received a 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
Have completed at least 2 years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at our above the ninth grade level, which includes an SAE.
Have earned and productively invested at least $1000 and worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time, in a supervised agricultural experience program. The combination of hours and earnings multiplied by a factor of 3.33 must be equal to or greater than the number 1,000.
Demonstrated leadership ability by performing 10 parliamentary law procedures, giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, and serving as an FFA officer, committee chairperson, or committee member.
Have a satisfactory academic record, certified by the agriculture teacher and the school principal or superintendent.
Participated in the planning and implementation of the chapter’s Program of Activities.
As of April 1, have completed ten activities above the chapter level in at least three of six different categories: leadership development events, career development events, conventions and meetings, project shows, student awards and leadership and service as described in policies adopted by the Board of Directors.
Complete at least 25 hours of community service in a minimum of two different activities. All community service hours are cumulative, i.e. the 10 community service hours used to obtain the chapter degree can be used toward the state degree.
American FFA Degree
This degree of active membership is awarded by the National FFA Organization and is the highest level of active membership which can be achieved within the FFA. This final step in the FFA Degree system encourages members to grow and achieve personally toward establishing yourself in an agricultural career. Members may apply for their American degree only if they have received the State FFA Degree, have graduated from high school at least twelve months prior to the national convention and meet the very high standards for the degree.
These requirements include an excellent record of involvement within the FFA, operation and maintenance of records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program through which a member has exhibited comprehensive planning, managerial and financial expertise, have earned and productively invested a specific amount of both time and money.
The American FFA Degree is a sign of great accomplishment among FFA members. Only a small percentage of FFA members ever earn the degree (the greatest percentage of members ever to receive the degree in one year was less than one half of one percent).
FFA members who qualify for the American FFA Degree:
Have received a Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA Degree and State FFA Degree.
Have been FFA members for at least three years.
Have completed at least three years (540 hours) of high school agriculture classes, or 2 years of high school agriculture classes and one year of college agriculture classes (360 hours.)
Have graduated from high school one year prior to the
National FFA Convention at which their degree will be awarded.
Have maintained detailed SAE records, which demonstrate outstanding planning, managerial and financial skills.
Have earned and productively invested at least $7,500, or have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours beyond scheduled school hours through their SAEs.
Effective Jan. 1, 2015: A student after entering agricultural education must have: (a.) Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or (b.) Have earned and productively invested at least $2,000 and worked 2,250 unpaid 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 skills. Have completed at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to the paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.
Have a record of outstanding leadership skills.
Have a record of participating in community service activities. Updated Community Service Requirements: Have completed at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to the paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.
Have maintained a “C” grade average or better.
Review the complete list of Degrees and their requirements here: https://www.texasffa.org/degrees-of-membership
Student Awards Overview
The Texas FFA award programs are real-life tests of what is learned in the classroom, through FFA and through a member's supervised agricultural experience programs (SAE). These awards encourage members and chapters to set specific and measurable goals and keep accurate records as they work toward those goals.
Individual members can receive recognition for their efforts as leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs within the field of agriculture. All of these awards help the FFA recognize members that are developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Individual awards are given at all levels of the FFA from Chapter all the way to National. These awards require members to apply first at the chapter level and advance through the organization from district, area on to the state level award selection and degree check. State winners are recognized during the Texas FFA Convention held the second full week in July each year. Many of these awards also include scholarship opportunities.
Proficiency Awards
The Agricultural Proficiency Awards program encourages members to set personal goals and learn practical skills. The program provides recognition to FFA members at the local, state and national levels for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. There are 51 proficiency award areas that individuals can apply for, ranging from Agricultural Communications to Wildlife Production and Management.
Members may apply for proficiency awards while in or within one year after graduation from high school. At minimum, applicants must have kept one full calendar year’s worth of records as an FFA member to apply for any proficiency award above the chapter level. Proficiency application must advance through district, area and state level competition to reach national. Check with your local advisor to determine local application deadlines.
Proficiency awards will be judged by the following criteria:
Skills and competencies learned that relate to an agricultural career field.
Financial achievements, including growth in scope.
Personal growth and development through FFA activities.
Evidence of student accomplishments based on available resources and opportunities.
Communication skills as demonstrated in the written portions of applications and clear, concise answers given during interviews. (Note: No personal interviews are conducted at the state level.)
Review more information on Proficiency Awards here: https://ffa.app.box.com/v/proficiencyhandbooks/file/289984566159
Star Awards
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An outstanding member at each degree level can be awarded the Star Award based on an exceptional overall Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program and FFA involvement. There are four divisions of the star award within each degree level, except the Discovery Degree. These divisions reflect the diversification of supervised agricultural experience programs and student populations in the state.
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- Stars Divisions
Star in Production: Outstanding achievement in an entrepreneurial production agriculture SAE and active participation in the FFA.
Star in Agri-Business: Outstanding achievement in an entrepreneurial agribusiness SAE that focus on agricultural sales, service or other entrepreneurial endeavors along with active participation in the FFA (All horticultural enterprises fall under agribusiness even if they are production oriented).
Star in Agricultural Placement: Outstanding achievement in an employment SAE, these can include work-based learning, along with an active participation in the FFA.
Star in Agri-Science: Outstanding achievement in an SAE where the student’s SAE programs are aimed at developing higher order scientific knowledge and skills along with active participation in the FFA.
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- Additional Information
Members wishing to apply for a star award above the chapter level, must apply for their Greenhand, Chapter, State or American degree using the corresponding application on Judging Card. The Star Application must be attached (this is the original Star Battery). Those wishing to apply for the star award at the chapter level should check with the chapter advisor for details.
Star awards are given at the district, area and state levels. Applicants must have been selected as a star winner from the previous level in order to advance to the next level. Check with your chapter’s advisor regarding deadlines for application. Applicants advancing to the state level interview must submit 1 copy of the entire application to the state award and degree selection site.
All Texas FFA Star award finalists are recognized during convention on stage and presented with a state finalist plaque. The winner is announced at that time and is presented with a $1,000 Dina Wallrath Robertson Memorial Star Award and an additional plaque.
All students who are applying for the Lone Star FFA Degree and star awards at all degree levels should use the American Degree application form. Applications should include the latest check sheets, which can be downloaded below. We recommend that you download these documents and compare them against the check sheets presented at your degree check. Have teachers replace them as needed.
Review more information on Star Awards here: https://www.texasffa.org/star-awards
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John Justin Award
In 1998, Justin Boot Company began a partnership with the Texas FFA Association by the John Justin “Standard of the West” Award. This award is in recognition of the rich heritage and tradition of the Justin Boot Company and its outstanding success as an agricultural-based company. The “Standard of the West” Award is designed to recognize those FFA members who exemplify the spirit of agriculture, along with its work ethic and family values. The selection criteria for the award are based upon the individual’s integrity, honesty, helpfulness, perseverance, grades, and school attendance.
The John Justin “Standard of the West” Award is offered to any member of the Texas FFA. To apply, the member must access and complete the application through their Texas FFA Roster account and submit it for review at the applicant’s appropriate district (if applicable) or area convention.
Each year, one FFA member from each area is selected as a state finalist for the John Justin award. Eleven state finalists will receive a product-gift certificate, a plaque, and a $500 stipend. The state winner, who will be announced onstage at convention, will receive product-gift certificate, a plaque and a $2,500 stipend. The advisor(s) of the state winner will receive a certificate for a pair of full quill ostrich boots.
Review more information on the John Justin Award here: https://www.texasffa.org/john-justin
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