Students obtain highest FFA honor: American Degree

Each year, thousands of students across the country are excited to gather for National FFA Convention to receive awards of many types, but none are more excited than the FFA American Degree recipients.

“The journey towards my FFA American degree started before I was in FFA. It started when I watched my brother, Cody Stewart, compete and partake in the Westview High School FFA. This is when I decided that I wanted to put all my heart and dedication into the program,” local recipient Seth Pierce said.

“… I wanted to accomplish a goal I set for myself, and that goal was to receive the highest degree in FFA, The American Degree. I accomplished that goal this past Saturday in Louisville, Ky. thanks to the encouragement and support of my family, friends, FFA Advisors and God.”

There were 3,577 American FFA Degree recipients that were honored during a ceremony at Louisville’s Freedom Hall during the eighth general session of the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo on Saturday, Nov. 2.  The ceremony was broadcasted live on RFD-TV and streamed live online at iHigh.com/FFA.

Out of these vast numbers, 161 recipients were from the state of Tennessee and 24 were UTM students.

“I’m just keeping a family tradition,” said Thomas Bell, a sophomore Agriculture major.

Students do not need to be from an agriculture background to receive this degree.

“I didn’t grow up on a farm, but joining FFA my freshman year of high school began my love for agriculture. I am a better leader, student and person because of everything FFA has taught me over the past five years. Receiving my American FFA degree is a milestone in my life and a true honor,” Whitney Cervantes, a 2013 recipient, said.

The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences, or SAEs.

With SAEs, students are encouraged to learn by doing. With help from their agricultural teachers, students develop an SAE project based on one or more SAE categories: Entrepreneurship, Placement, Research and Experimentation and Exploratory.

“The degree is a huge honor. I worked very hard with my horsemanship SAE to earn my American degree,” Kensey Catlett said.

“… I zipped up that old blue corduroy jacket that holds so many memories for the last time. I can’t thank the FFA organization enough for making me the woman I am today.”

FFA was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. The thought behind it all was to show that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting– it’s a science, it’s a business and it’s an art.

According to the National FFA Organization website, in order to receive the degree, students must complete the following:

Receive 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.

Have a record of outstanding leadership skills.

Have a record of participating in community service activities.

Have maintained a “C” grade average or better.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it feels good to walk across stage and receive the golden key,” Agriculture Education major, Shelby Gean said.

For many members, it’s not only about an agricultural experience, but a social and future oriented one as well.

“Receiving my American Degree was the last step in succeeding my FFA goals. I ‘suited up’ for the last time on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 in Louisville, Ky., with four of my sorority sisters. As my FFA career comes to an end, all the achievements accomplished are my motivation to strive for bigger and better,” Sam Hill said.

Many who are involved in FFA make lifelong friendships with others from around the country.

“Receiving my American FFA Degree is the greatest honor of my FFA career. Even better than that honor was sharing the experience with friends I had made nationwide throughout my years in FFA and watching them go across stage in Louisville and hearing the excitement for each recipient from their parents, advisors and close friends,” Former Tennessee State FFA President Stephen McBride said.

To many students, it’s a real milestone in their lives.  For the past three to five years or more, these students have done nothing but breathe blue and gold.  Now they have to start a new chapter in their life.  “Achieving the American FFA degree meant so much to me because the FFA has been such an important part of my life, and being able to walk across the national stage and accept the most prestigious award they hand out was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Cambridge German said.

Many of these students are leaders of their communities and were built and taught so through the organization they love, the National FFA Organization.

“As I was waiting for my name to be called and to walk across stage, I took time to reflect on the many memories and friends I made while I was in FFA. That was one bittersweet moment for me, as I realized that my career as a member is over and my jacket is now retired,” said UTM recipient Julie Smith.

“FFA is one of the best youth organizations out there and I would encourage anyone to be involved in it. Thank you, FFA for allowing me to ‘GROW’ as leader, ‘Step Up and Step Out’ of my comfort zone and most importantly ‘Ignite’ my community.’”