Degrees and Awards
FFA Degrees
FFA Degrees are attained through hours of work in your agricultural education and natural resource classes, with your Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and through FFA. They are a mark of leadership, learning and growth as an FFA member.
Hover over the degree names below to learn more about the requirements to earn them!
Members meeting the following requirements are eligible for their Discovery Degree:
-
Be enrolled in an agriculture class for at least part of the year while in grades 7-8
-
Participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity outside of school time
-
Have knowledge of agriculturally-related career, ownership, or entrepreneurial opportunities
-
Be familiar with local FFA chapter's Program of Activities
Discovery Degree
Members are eligible for the Greenhand degree after meeting the following requirements:
-
Be enrolled in agricultural education and have plans for a supervised agricultural experience (SAE)
-
Learn FFA Creed, motto, & mission statement
-
Demonstrate knowledge of the FFA Code of ethics and use of the FFA jacket.
-
Demonstrate knowledge of FFA history and chapter Program of activities.
Greenhand Degree
Members are eligible for the silver Chapter Degree after doing the following:
-
Must have received Greenhand degree.
-
Must have completed at least 180 hours (1 year) in agricultural education at/above the 9th grade level.
-
Participated in planning and conducting three official functions of Chapter's POA.
-
Earned at least $150 or worked 45 hours in a Supervised Agricultural Experience
-
Led a group discussion, and more.
-
See the FFA manual for more.
Chapter Degree
Minimum qualifications for the gold State Degree include:
-
Have received chapter degree
-
Have been an active member for at least 24 months
-
Have completed 360 hours (2 years) in agricultural education above 9th grade.
-
Meet SAE and leadership requirements listed in official FFA manual.
-
Participated in at least 5 events above the chapter level.
-
Completed 25 hours of community service.
State Degree
Awards
Proficiencies:
Proficiencies are earned at the state and national level for excellence in Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE).
Applications for 2026 State Proficiencies are on the AET!
State Star:
State Stars are selected in 4 categories: Star in Agriscience, Star Farmer, Star Placement, Star Agribusiness. They are selected from the state degree recipients of each year.
Agriscience Fair
Agriscience Fair is an opportunity for students engaged in Research experiences. Students can bring their research and findings in the many Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) pathways and showcase them at the state and national level. This event is designed to award students for outstanding experimental SAEs.