Degree

American FFA Degree

Our 2023 award recipients in attendance at the National FFA Convention are pictured above. The American FFA Degree is awarded to members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs).

The American FFA Degree can be received at any national convention after you have been out of high school for a year and while you are still eligible to be an FFA member. You are eligible for membership through the fourth November 30 after graduation from high school, but membership may not be maintained for any reason after you reach your 23 birthday. See the American Degree Handbook, American FFA Degree Requirements, and rules for Active National Membership for more information about qualifying for the American FFA Degree. If a student wishes to be considered for an American Star, the student should also fill out the Star portion of the application.

Early application deadline is March 1st. Applications submitted by March 1st are guaranteed at least two weeks to correct any errors.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ONLINE APRIL 1ST INCLUDING ALL REQUIRED ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. Applications submitted between March 2nd and April 1st are NOT gaurenteed time for corrections.

**It is highly recommend to utilize AET for members to enter, store, and access their data for all their participation over the course of their FFA eligibility. All NY chapters have access to AET and data will autofill into all applications through FFA.org. If AET is not being used to keep records, sign into the application center through FFA.org. Before filling out the application, please chose between AET and FFA.org and check if it is locked or unlocked from AET on the instruction page (#12).


American degree Resources

Empire Degree - State FFA Degree

 The Empire Degree is the highest honor students can receive at the State level. It requires documentation of a student's SAE as well as confirmation that the student has received the Greenhand, and Chapter degrees. If a student wishes to be considered for a District and State Star, the student should also fill out the “AET Star Application”.

Empire Degree and State star APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ONLINE February 15th.

Empire degree Applicants and Their Advisor must SUBMitt their application utilizing the AET Submission List once the signature page is complete.

Empire Degree application questions should be directed to: Kelsey O’Hare at kko8@cornell.edu

Guide for Completing the Empire Degree Application

Guide for Complete the State Star Application

AET Submission List Directions/Video

Community Service Guidelines for FFA Degrees

State Star Resources:

Example Applications

State Star Judging Rubrics

State Star AET Application Help Video

Application Tips:

To generate a new version number, choose “Complete/Print Application” from the application menu and then select “Complete/Save Your App”. This will generate and save a new version of your application. Anytime you make changes please generate a new version.

State Degree Requirements:

To be eligible to receive the State FFA Degree from the state association, a member must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.

2. Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree.

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 ffa traditions 29 a supervised agricultural experience program.

4. A student after entering agricultural education must have:
      a. earned and productively invested at least $1,000; or
      b. worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time; or c. a combination thereof, in a          supervised agricultural experience program.

5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:
     a. Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.
     b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA.
     c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee.

6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or superintendent.

7. Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter’s Program of Activities.

8. Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level.

9. Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service, within at least two different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours. The percentage of the total state membership that may receive the State FFA Degree and other requirements may be established by the state FFA association.

Source: The Official FFA Manual