American FFA Degree -- To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree from the National FFA organization, the members must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Have received the State FFA Degree, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months), and have a record or satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state levels.

2. Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources program or have completed the program of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the school last attended.  

3. Have graduated from high school at least twelve months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.

4. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program through which a member has exhibited comprehensive planning, managerial and financial expertise.

5. Have earned and productively invested at least $7,500 or earned and invested at least $1,500 and worked at least 2250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours x $3.33 plus dollars must be equal to or greater than the number 9000. 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 of the degree.

6. 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.

7. As of December 31 of the calendar year prior to the year the member is to receive the degree, 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 SAE hours.