Today’s FFA
The Official Manual
• Guides the formation of each chapter’s
activities
• As well as state associations and the
national organization
The FFA Mission
• FFA makes a positive difference in
the lives of students by developing
their potential for premier
leadership, personal growth and
career success through agriculture
education.
To accomplish the FFA Mission,
FFA:
• Develops competent and assertive
agricultural leadership
• Increases awareness of the global and
technological importance of agriculture and
its contribution to our well-being
• Strengthens the confidence of agriculture
students in themselves and their work.
To accomplish the FFA Mission,
FFA:
• Promotes the intelligent choice and
establishment of an agricultural career.
• Encourages achievement in Supervised
Agricultural Experience Programs.
• Encourages wise management of economic,
environmental and human resources of the
community.
To accomplish the FFA Mission,
FFA:
• Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork,
communications, human relations and social
interaction.
• Builds character and promotes citizenship,
volunteerism and patriotism.
• Promotes cooperation and cooperative
attitudes among all people
To accomplish the FFA Mission,
FFA:
• Promotes healthy lifestyles
• Encourages excellence in scholarship
Organizational Structure
National Organization
State Association
Local Chapter
You
Supervised Agriculture
Experience Program
• SAE
• Helps you apply what you learn in class and
FFA
• You design your SAE with the help of your
parents and advisor
• Could lead to your career
• Earn Money
The FFA Degree Ladder
• Degrees recognize progress in leadership,
agricultural education and your SAE
• Greenhand Degree
• Chapter FFA Degree
• State FFA Degree
• American FFA Degree
Greenhand FFA Degree
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For first year members
Knowledge of FFA History
Recite the Creed
Recite the Motto
Recite the Salute
Must be enrolled in Agriculture Ed.
Have satisfactory SAE plans
Greenhand Requirements
• Have learned and can explain the FFA
Mission Statement
• Describe and Explain the meaning of the
FFA Emblem and Colors
• Understand the FFA Code of Ethics
• Understand Proper use of the FFA Jacket
Greenhand Requirements
• Familiar with the chapter constitution and
bylaws
• Familiar with the Program of Activities
• Have access to the Official FFA Manual and
FFA Student Handbook
• Submitted written application for the
Greenhand Degree
Chapter FFA Degree
• Completed 2 semesters of agriculture
• Have SAE program in operation
• Earn and productively invest $150 or work
at least 45 hours at SAE
• Effectively lead a group discussion for 15
minutes
• Demonstrate 5 parliamentary procedures
Chapter FFA Degree
• Show progress towards individual
achievement in the FFA award program
• Have a satisfactory scholastic record
• Star Chapter Farmer -outstanding
production SAE
• Star Chapter Agribusiness Award outstanding business SAE
State FFA Degree
• Active FFA member 2 years
• 2 years of agriculture
• Earn and productively invest $1000 or work
300 hours in an SAE Program
• Perform 10 parliamentary procedures
• Give a 6 minute speech
State FFA Degree
• Chapter officer or committee member
• Satisfactory scholastic record
• Participate in the planning of the Program
of Activities
• 5 activities above chapter level
• Degree Charm worn above name on jacket
or on standard key chain
American FFA Degree
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Highest degree
Active member for 3 years
3 years of class
Graduate from high school at least 12
months prior to receiving degree
• Outstanding SAE Program
American FFA Degree
• Earn and productively invest $7,500 or earn
and invest $1,500 and work at least 2,250
unpaid hours
• Have a record of outstanding leadership
abilities
• Scholastic record of “C” or better
• Golden key worn above name or on chain
American FFA Degree
• American Star Farmer and Star
Agribusiness (1 each from 4 regions)
• All finalists receive European Tour
• Highest Awards in FFA
Types of Membership
• Active
– enrolled in ag class, dues paid
• Collegiate
– 2 or 4 year college
• Alumni
– former members or interested people
• Honorary
– people who support FFA
What are the parts of the
FFA Emblem?
Cross Section of the
Ear of Corn
Corn is a symbol of
unity because it is
native to America
and is grown in
every state.
The Rising Sun
• The Rising Sun
symbolizes
progress in
agriculture and the
confidence FFA
members have in
the future.
The Eagle
• The eagle is a
reminder of our
freedom and
ability to explore
new horizons for
the future of
agriculture
The Owl
• The owl
represents
knowledge and
wisdom
The Plow
• The plow is the
symbol of labor
and tillage of the
soil
The Words
• FFA is an
important part of
the Agriculture
Education
Program
The Emblem
• Put it all together
• Trademark of the
National FFA
Organization
• Be Proud Of It
FFA Colors
• National Blue
• Corn Gold
FFA Motto
Learning to Do
Doing to Learn
Earning to Live
Living to Serve
FFA Salute
• Pledge of Allegiance
FFA Creed
I believe in the future of agriculture with a
faith born not of words but of deeds-achievements won by the present and past
generations of agriculturists; in the promise
of better days through better ways, even as
the better things we now enjoy have come
to us from the struggles of former years.
FFA Creed
I believe that to live and work on a good
farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural
pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging;
for I know the joys and discomforts of
agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness
for those associations which, even in hours
of discouragement, I cannot deny.
FFA Creed
I believe in leadership from ourselves and
respect from others. I believe in my own
ability to work efficiently and think clearly,
with such knowledge and skill as I can
secure, and in the ability of progressive
agriculturists to serve our won and public
interest in producing and marketing the
product of our toil.
FFA Creed
I believe in less dependence on begging and
more power in bargaining; in the life
abundant and enough honest wealth to help
make it so--for others as well as myself; in
less need for charity and more of it when
needed; in being happy myself and playing
square with those whose happiness depends
on me.
FFA Creed
I believe that American agriculture can and
will hold true to the best traditions of our
national life and that I can exert an
influence in my home and community
which will stand solid for my part in that
inspiring task.
FFA Creed
• Written by E. M. Tiffany
• Adopted at 3rd national convention
• Revised at 38th and 63rd convention
Official Dress
• Girls
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black skirt or slacks
white blouse
official blue scarf
black shoes
official jacket zipped to the top
Official Dress
• Boys
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black slacks
white shirt
official FFA tie
black shoes
black socks
official jacket zipped to the top
Proper Use of the FFA Jacket
• Only worn by members
• Kept clean and neat
• Only emblems, state, chapter, name and one
office or honor
• Worn on official occasions zipped up, collar
down, cuffs buttoned
• Only worn to places appropriate for
members to visit
Proper Use of the FFA Jacket
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School letters etc. not worn on jacket
Discard when worn, remove emblems
Remove emblems if given away
Act like a lady or gentlemen when wearing
the FFA jacket
• No tobacco or alcohol in jacket
• Degree, Office, Award (1 each) worn below
name
Code of Ethics
• FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be
a credit to their organization, chapter, school,
community and family. As an FFA member, I
pledge to:
Develop my potential for premier leadership,
personal growth and career success.
Make a positive difference in the lives of others
Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion
Code of Ethics
Showing respect for the rights of others
and their property
Be courteous, honest and fair with others
Communicate in an appropriate, purposeful
and positive manner
Demonstrate good sportsmanship by being
modest in winning and generous in defeat
Code of Ethics
Make myself aware of FFA programs and
activities and be an active participant
Conduct and value a supervised agricultural
experience program
Strive to establish and enhance my skills
through agricultural education in order to enter a
successful career
Appreciate and promote diversity in our
organization