Oregon FFA Association

There are Five Different Degrees of Membership for Active Members -

Discovery

The Discovery degree is an optional degree that is not offered by all schools. It is offered at schools that have Agriscience programs in Grades 7 and 8. Members need to have taken part in one FFA activity outside of the Agriscience class to earn the Discovery degree.

Greenhand

The Greenhand degree is for first year (freshman) high school students. To earn the Greenhand degree members must have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAEP) and demonstrate knowledge of the creed, code of ethics, motto, salute emblem, official dress, and important dates in FFA history. The Greenhand degree pin is made out of bronze for its strength and durability.

Chapter

The Chapter degree is the highest award a local FFA chapter can bestow upon its members. To earn the Chapter degree, usually awarded in the second year of taking Agriscience courses, members must have a good SAEP, earned and invested $150 or worked 45 unpaid hours outside of class, lead a group discussion for 15 minutes, demonstrate 5 parliamentary procedures, have a good scholastic record, and have earned the Greenhand degree. The Chapter degree pin is made out of silver.

State

The State degree is the highest award a state FFA association can bestow upon its members. It is awarded at the state convention. The State degree recipients earn a charm that can be worn on the official jacket or on a gold chain.

The requirements for the Oregon FFA State Degree are as follows:

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 a Supervised Agricultural Experience program (complete with records).
4. Earned and invested $1,000 into an approved Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and worked 500 hours, outside of class time, on an SAE (entrepreneurship). Total hours on placement projects must be 900 hours, 500 in the last 2 years. Requirement can be met by a combination meeting 100%.
5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:
   • Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law at the local level as verified by the chapter and district advisor.
   • Giving a 6-minute presentation on a topic relating to agriculture or the FFA (verified by advisor and validated during portfolio presentation or SAE on-site presentation).
   • Serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or a participating member of a chapter, district, or state committee (validated during the portfolio presentation or SAE on-site presentation).
6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or superintendent. Grade Point Average (GPA) reported must be current as of December 31st prior to the application deadline.
7. Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter program of activities (validated during the portfolio presentation or SAE on-site presentation).
8. Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level (validated during the portfolio presentation or SAE on-site presentation) and with a total of thirty years of activities listed at the chapter, district, state and/or national level.
9. Pass a test including FFA, General Agriculture, and Parliamentary Procedure knowledge with a score of at least 70%.
10. Have available for the district inspection, completed SAE record books, with all necessary components, for the past two years. Record books must accompany the member when meeting with the state officer(s) during the portfolio presentation or SAE on-site presentation for Stars Applicants (Members must be in Official Dress). These may be used to answer questions asked by the state officer(s). Record books must show sufficient evidence of record keeping for the SAE(s). Any components missing or lacking in quality will nullify the candidate's opportunity for the degree that year.
11. Have met all of the leadership point requirements in sections 6 and 7 on Oregon’s State FFA Degree application.

American

The American degree is the highest award that any FFA member can receive. Less than one percent of all FFA members receive this honor. In order to earn the degree, members must have their State degree, had at least three years of Agriscience classes and active FFA membership, have graduated High School 12 months before earning the degree, have an outstanding SAE, earned and invested $7,500 or $1,500 and worked 2,250 unpaid hours outside of agricultural classes, have outstanding leadership skills, and have a "C" or better High School scholastic average. Recipients of this award receive a gold key and a plaque at the national convention. See http://www.ffa.org/index.cfm?method=c_programs.AmericanDegree for more information.