Why every FFA Member should strive to receive their American FFA Degree

Jodie Weyland

Nov 2, 20193 min read

Updated: Nov 4, 2019

As I walked across the stage to receive my American FFA Degree it was a special moment to reflect on all that I have achieved over the last seven years as an FFA member. Being surrounded by my lifelong friends and sharing the excitement built up inside of us was the most impactful part of that day.

Wisconsin was the second-to-last state to go up on stage in 2019, providing us hours to socialize with our FFAmily. Each of us has moved onto bigger things such as studying agriculture as a post-secondary student, starting our careers, and serving as a leader in agricultural organizations similar to FFA.

November 2nd, 2019, for the majority of us, was the last day we’ll put our blue jacket on. While sadness puddles inside my heart because I won’t be able to wear my corduroy jacket like I used to, I know that this isn’t the end of my leadership journey.

John Maxwell once said, “A leader is one who knows that way, goes that way, and shows the way.” Every single American FFA degree recipient knows the way and has gone the way; therefore, it’s our time to show the way for others. It’s our time to encourage young adults to become FFA members. It’s our time to show the way for students in agriculture and our hometown communities who consume agricultural products. It’s our time to be agricultural advocates.

With this being said, every FFA member should strive to receive their American FFA Degree.

Receiving your American FFA degree allows you to complete the following:

Be actively involved in the 3 circle model of agriculture education.

Agriculture education 3 circle model includes being involved in FFA, the classroom, and a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE). Applying for the American FFA Degree shows you have excelled in all three of these areas.

Develop your career goals.

While writing your American Degree application doesn’t require you to type out your career goals, your continuous involvement in the FFA Organization will teach you how to set long-term and short-term SMART goals.

Develop your interpersonal skills.

While pursuing personal and career goals within agriculture education, you will develop interpersonal skills relating to communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, optimism, etc.

Create lifelong friendships.

Receiving your American FFA degree will feel a lot like graduation. Many of the members receiving their degree during your year will be the same members that you have grown with over the years and that have helped you grow into the person you are today.

Understand the importance of networking with industry professionals.

Working towards your American FFA degree will expose you to many areas of agriculture such as working with, speaking to, and listen to industry professionals. After speaking with many of these individuals it will be ingrained in your brain that these people will be your network as you grow into a professional agriculturalist.

Financing becomes your best friend.

Whether you frowned or smiled reading this statement, understanding finances is imperative for any agriculturalist. This includes evaluating the cost of production, understanding marketing, completing a balance sheet, and more. The American degree application itself requires you to complete a balance sheet based on your SAE.

… AND SO MUCH MORE!

I only highlighted six items in this list; however, if you have anything to add, please comment!

In conclusion, walking across that stage to receive my American Degree was a moment to reflect on my personal growth and a memory to share with my FFAmily. As leaders in the FFA, we have learned and implemented the way, now it’s time to show the way for others.

In parallel, all of the 2019 American Degree recipients have completed the first six words of the FFA motto:

Learning to do. Doing to learn.

Now as former FFA members, it’s our time to implement the last six words:

Earning to live. Living to serve.

However, don’t let this fool you.

There are always more opportunities to learn and grow as an individual leader. I encourage everyone, including you, to continue to pursue these opportunities.