The Monache Agricultural Department offers a variety of different awards that give our members the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.
Under normal circumstances, students are recognized at the State Degree Awards Ceremony at the beginning of April for earning the State FFA Degree and Sectional Proficiencies. There are also Student and Adult Awards given for Star Reporter, Star Counselors, Star Administrators, Star Support Faculty/Staff, and Star Advisor.
Below are the Degrees members can earn while in FFA, along with other awards, and a list of their requirements:
Greenhand Leadership Degree
The Greenhand leadership degree is for first year members coming into the FFA. Throughout the beginning of the year, students will go through a series of requirements, and if they pass, they are asked to complete an application in order to receive their Degree during our Greenhand and Chapter Farmer Banquet. This year, we had the privilege to recognize over 100 Freshman who received their bronze Greenhand Degree pin with the honor of placing it on there FFA jacket, as a start to many more.
Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
- Be regularly enrolled in a vocational education course for an agricultural occupation and have satisfactory and acceptable plans for a program of supervised agricultural experience.
- Learn and explain the FFA Creed, Motto, Salute, and the FFA Mission Statement.
- Describe the FFA emblem, colors, and symbols.
- Explain the proper use of the FFA jacket.
- Have satisfactory knowledge of the history of the organization.
- Know the duties and responsibilities of FFA members.
- Personally own or have access to the Official FFA Manual.
- Submit written application for the degree for chapter records.
Chapter Farmer Degree
The Chapter Farmer Degree is open to second year members only. During their second year enrolled in an agricultural class, students will complete a list of requirements and fill out an application to receive their Chapter degree . This year, 75 active members received their silver Chapter Farmer pin.
Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
- It shall be understood that conformance with the provisions of this article precludes a member from receiving both the Greenhand FFA and Chapter FFA Degrees during the same academic year.
- Must have satisfactorily completed at least one year of systematic instruction in agriculture education, at or above the ninth grade level, have in operation an approved supervised farming and/or other supervised agricultural experience program, have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised farming and/or other supervised agricultural experience program, and be regularly enrolled in an agriculture education class.
- Be familiar with the purposes and programs of activities of the state association and national organization.
- Be familiar with the provisions of the constitution of the local chapter.
- Be familiar with Parliamentary Procedure.
- Must have led a group discussion for fifteen minutes.
- Must have earned at least $150 by his/her own efforts from his/her supervised farming and/or other supervised agricultural experience program, and have it productively invested or deposited in a bank, or have worked 100 hours on his/her SOEP in excess of scheduled class time.
State FFA Degree
The State Degree is one of the more challenging Degrees students can apply for. Students are eligible to receive this award during their third or fourth year of agriculture. Although it can be hard to achieve this award, this accomplishment shows their hard work and dedication towards our Chapter. Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
- Received a Chapter FFA Degree.
- Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree.
- Have completed at least 2 years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at our above the ninth grade level, which includes an SAE.
- Have earned and productively invested at least $2,000, or have worked at least 500 hours outside of schedule class time through an SAE.
- Candidate has passed a written exam on parliamentary law.
- Demonstrated leadership ability by performing 10 parliamentary law procedures, giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, and serving as an FFA officer, committee chairperson, or committee member.
- Have a satisfactory academic record, certified by the agriculture teacher and the school principal or superintendent.
- Participated in the planning and implementation of the chapter’s Program of Activities.
- Participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level.
- Complete at least 25 hours of community service in a minimum of two different activities. All community service hours are cumulative, i.e. the 10 community service hours used to obtain the chapter degree can be used toward the state degree.
American Degree
The American Degree is offered to Alumni members who have been active in the FFA after graduating. Two years after graduation, an Alumni member can apply for their American degree and will receive it at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, where students are able to come together from all over the United States to be recognized one last time.
Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
Requirements needed in order to qualify for this degree are:
- Have received the State FFA Degree, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state level.
- Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed at least the equivalent of 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a post-secondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended.
- Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.
- Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program, through which the member has exhibited comprehensive planning and managerial and financial expertise.
- A student after entering agricultural education must have: (a) Earned at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or (b) Earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56, plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree. Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.
- Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.
- Applicants must submit an application electronically through ffa.org. Applicants must submit the signature page with the signatures of the chapter president, chapter advisor, superintendent or principal, and state advisor or state executive secretary, certifying accuracy of all statements in the application and that the applicant conducted him/herself in a manner to be a credit to the organization, chapter and community.
Forever Blue Award
The Forever Blue Award is earned through FFA activities and participation for program completers in their 3rd and 4th year in the FFA. This Award is given to the highest achieving seniors and earns them a graduation sash.
Minimum Requirements:
Requirements (3 of the following must be met):
Minimum Requirements:
- Achieved 300 Points each Semester
- Must be a FFA Member in Good Standing
- 2.0 Cumulative GPA AND currently no F’s
- 90% Attendance Record
- Outstanding Citizenship
Requirements (3 of the following must be met):
- Earned the State Farmer Degree
- Attended 3 Leadership Training Conferences (COLC, GLC, ALA, MFE, SJR Boot Camp, SLE, or State Conference)
- Exhibit at 3 fairs (Porterville, Tulare County, and/or State Fair)
- High Point by year - Top 20 Freshman, Top 10 Sophomore, or Top 10 Junior
- Served as a Monache FFA Chapter Officer or an Officer above the Chapter Level
- Compete with any Career Development Event Team (CDE) or Leadership Development Event Team (LDE) for 2 years
- Placed Silver or Better for Sectional or Above with Proficiency