Iowa FFA Degree

A. General Information

The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest rank that can be conferred upon active members by

the Iowa FFA Association. Those to receive the degree will be selected for nomination by

the State Committee according to provisions in the Iowa FFA Constitution. Awards will

be presented with appropriate ceremony to the successful candidates at the annual Iowa

FFA Leadership Conference.

Candidates may be nominated by submitting service and achievement records on official

application forms. Applications are to be prepared by the candidate and verified by the

chapter advisor and executive committee.

In any year, all active members who are candidates meeting minimum qualifications may

be elected to the Iowa FFA Degree (There are no chapter quotas).

The minimum qualifications for election to the degree according to the Iowa FFA

Constitution are:

1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree and have been an active FFA member for

at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the Iowa FFA Degree.

2. While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two years (360 hours)

of systematic school instruction in Agriculture Education of above the ninth grade

level, which includes a supervised agricultural experience program.

3. A student after entering agricultural education must have: 1.) earned and

productively invested at least $1,000, or 2.) worked at least 300 hours in excess of

scheduled class time, or 3.) a combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural

experience program.

4. Have participated in at least 25 additional, unduplicated hours of community

service activities within at least two different community service activities.

(Effective in 2011)

5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:

i. Performing ten procedures of parliamentary law.

ii. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or the FFA.

iii. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or a participating member of

a chapter committee.

6. Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural

education instructor and the principal or superintendent.

7. Have participated in the planning and completion of chapter Program of

Activities.

8. Have participated in at least five approved FFA activities above the chapter level.

9. Meet other requirements as established by the Iowa FFA Association.

B. Rules

In addition to the minimum qualifications and rules stated in the introductory paragraphs,

the following rules must be followed:

1. Active membership dues for candidates must have been paid to and received by

the Iowa FFA Association on or before December 1

prior to the year applications

are submitted.

2. Candidates must submit the correct application form for the year the degree is to

be received.

3. One copy of the completed application must be received, by the District FFA

Advisor prior to the evaluation. Each candidate’s SAE record books covering the

period of the applications must be in possession of the District record book review

committee prior to the time of evaluation.

4. Only paper record books and computer print outs of records will be accepted;

electronic versions will not be accepted as SAE records.

5. Applications will be judged as originally submitted with no additions or changes

permitted after the District FFA Advisor receives them.

6. No additional pictures or additional (partial or full) pages of information, pictures,

news articles or other material will be permitted as a part of the Iowa FFA Degree

application; however, these additional items may be included in record books.

7. Candidate’s earned net worth cannot exceed total earned net income.

8. All signatures are required.

9. Application covers, including the official FFA award cover, and individual page

protective sheets of any sort are not permitted.

10. Star Candidates: Candidates wishing to be considered as a Star Finalist shall

advance three additional copies of their application to the State FFA Staff on or

before February 1

C. Procedure for Verifying Iowa FFA Degree Applications with SAE Record

1. Only SAE record books will be evaluated; there will be no interview process.

2. Require no specific record keeping system; however, require specific records to be

kept for all ownership and ag placement programs.

a. business agreements

b. inventories (beginning and ending) – when appropriate

c. itemized income

d. itemized expenses

e. number of hours—when appropriate

3. Evaluation of applications and SAE record books at the district level:

a. Three evaluation representatives from each sub-district will serve on a

rotational basis (three-year terms).

b. Each sub-district shall elect evaluation representatives at IAAE Conference.

These persons must have completed two or more years of teaching.

c. In case of a resignation, the sub-district advisor will appoint a replacement for

the balance of the term.

d. The district FFA advisor will chair the evaluation process; he/she will be

given instructions and review the process.

e. Each sub-district will evaluate another sub-district’s applications.

f. The district advisor will be responsible to see that all sub-district committees

are consistent with their evaluation process.

g. No additional instructors are permitted at this evaluation and review.

h. Review all sections of the Iowa FFA Degree as outlined on the Iowa FFA

Degree Application Review Form and the Record Book Review Form.

i. Each district will submit the name and school p.o. of each candidate that

qualifies for the degree.

j. Candidates that meet the qualifications of the Iowa FFA Degree Application

Review and the Record Book Review, as verified by the district verification

committee, will be awarded the Iowa FFA Degree.

k. Appeals will be conducted at the district level.

D. Iowa FFA Degree Process

1. Applicant Responsibilities

A. Completing the Iowa Degree Application is the responsibility of the

individual FFA member, not the local FFA advisor. Each applicant is the

ultimately responsible for using the REVIEW SHEETS, in this file, to

review their own application BEFORE submitting.

B. Applicants should seek their advisor’s assistance, as needed, to correct

problems and improve the quality of the application.

C. Each student applicant should review his or her own application using the

Iowa Degree Review Sheet. (Attached to the end of this document.)

D. Sign your application and obtain your parents’ signatures after you and

your advisor have reviewed your application and corrected mistakes.

These signatures verify that the information is correct and accurate.

E. Obtain your superintendent, principal, or guidance counselor’s signature

after your parents have signed the application.

F. Obtain the signatures of your chapter advisor, president and secretary.

G. Organize your SAE records so information can be verified quickly. A

three-ring binder, organized and tabbed by year is recommended. (The

District Review Committee is NOT obligated to spend excessive amounts

of time shuffling through unorganized records. Applications may be

denied if the records are too disorganized to verify the information in the

application.)

H. Deliver your signed Iowa Degree Application and SAE records to your

chapter advisor.

I. Your primary goal is to delivery a complete and accurate application to

your chapter advisor.

2. Advisor Responsibilities

A. Have each applicant review his or her own application using the REVIEW

SHEETS attached to this document.

B. Utilize the Iowa Degree Review Sheet to review each application. (You

may want to consider having past recipients or alumni help with this

process.)

C. Review each application BEFORE signing.

D. Register each applicant for the degree on the Online CDE System through

FileMaker.

E. For each applicant, deliver one copy of the Iowa Degree Application and

all SAE records to the District Advisor. NOTE: Mail 3 copies of STAR

CANDIDATE(s) applications to the DE by Feb. 1st. (Non-Star

Candidates are NOT required to be mailed to the DE.)

F. Your primary goal is to deliver a complete and accurate application(s) to

the District Advisor.

G. CAUTION: Do not use the District Review process only as a way to

review your application, prior to completing an appeal. Delivering pre-

reviewed applications will allow the process to proceed much more

smoothly.

H. Appeals: The chapter advisor is responsible for coordinating potential

appeals with the District Advisor.

3. Local Chapter President and Chapter Secretary Responsibilities

A. To aid in verifying the information in the application, each applicant

should have completed an Iowa Degree Review Sheet. Review this form

BEFORE signing the application.

B. Your primary goal is to verify that the information contained in the

application accurately represents your fellow FFA member’s SAE records

and FFA accomplishments.

4. District Advisor Responsibilities

BEFORE THE REVIEW PROCESS

A. Identify the members of the District Review Committee. (Note: The

reviewers are typically identified during one of the district meetings at the

summer agricultural education conference. Beginning instructors are

welcome to observe and participate at the review, but avoid using too

many beginning instructors on the review committees.)

B. Identify the members of the District Appeal Committee. Identify three

experienced advisors who will serve as the Appeal Committee. Identify

advisors that have a strong understanding of record keeping and the Iowa

Degree application. These individuals will review all applications that

receive a “NO” on Step 3 of the review sheet. (Step 3. NO = This

candidate's application does NOT appear to meet all qualifications of the

Iowa Degree.)

C. Notify the District Review Committee so they know when and where they

are expected to attend.

D. Notify all advisors so they know when and where they are to deliver the

applications and record books.

E. Make copies of the Iowa FFA Degree Review form (one per applicant).

This form is attached to the end of this document.

DURING THE REVIEW

F. The District Advisor should not serve on any of the Sub-District review

committees. The District Advisor should be free to work with any review

committee as questions arise.

G. The Appeal Committee members may serve on the Sub-District review

committees. However, they may be called to assist the District Advisor in

answering questions.

H. Sub-District review teams must not review applications from their own

Sub-District.

I. Sub-District review teams will review each application and associated

record books.

J. Sub-District review teams will complete one review sheet for each

applicant.

K. Sub-District review team MUST provide written explanation for any

applications that receive a “NO” on Step 3 of the review sheet.

L. The signed review sheets will be given to the District Advisor upon

completion.

M. The Appeal Committee and the District Advisor will decide what action is

to be taken on applications that receive a “NO” in Step 3 of the review

sheet.

AFTER THE REVIEW

N. Within 24 hours, update the status of each candidate on the Online CDE

System through FileMaker.

O. Within 24 hours contact the advisors of the unapproved applicants, and

instruct them of their right to appeal. (Directions for the appeal process

are later in this document.) It is the applicant’s responsibility to initiate

the appeal process.

P. Within 24 hours, provide the advisors of the unapproved applicants with

information about the time and place of the appeals.

Q. Identify advisors that will conduct the appeal interviews. (Recommend: 2-

3 advisors. District Advisors may participate. District Convention would

be the recommended, but not required time and location.)

R. Applicants that are approved by the District Committees will receive their

Iowa FFA Degree.

AFTER THE APPEAL

S. Appeals must be completed at or before the District Convention. Status of

newly approved applicants must updated on the Online CDE System

within 24 hours after the District Convention.

T. Applicants that are also being considered as a Star Finalist that submit an

appeal must be reviewed PRIOR TO February 15. This will ensure that

every Star applicant is eligible for consideration for final Star selection.

5. Appeal Committee Responsibilities

A. The Appeal Committee will only review applications that receive a “NO”

on Step 3 of the review sheet.

B. The committee will determine whether or not the applicant must appear in

person for the appeal.

i. Simple omissions or corrections (ie. a missing signature) do not

require personal appearance. The corrections may be emailed,

faxed or mailed to the District Advisor. The District Advisor has

the power to approve all applications, which have met the

identified corrections, when personal appearance is not required.

ii. Personal appearance by the applicant is required when:

a) The applicant needs to explain unique or confusing

situations

b) The record books must be reviewed and explained

c) When the Appeal Committee feels a personal interview is

needed to verify the application.

C. Appeals Requiring Personal Appearance by the Applicant: Upon

completion of the applicant interview, the Appeal Committee will identify

each application as approved or not approved. The Appeal Committee

will provide the District Advisor with a final list of approved and not

approved applicants.

6. Iowa FFA Board of Directors Responsibilities

A. The Iowa FFA Association Board of Directors will rule on appeals that are

not decided (or cannot be decided) at the District level, or denied

applicants that ask for a state board ruling.

B. The Iowa FFA Association Board of Directors will not guarantee to

handle these requests before the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference.

C. Applicants must submit a written request for a state board review.

D. Written requests for a state board review must be postmarked within 72

hours of the district convention.

D. Designations

Special designations are made for those receiving the Iowa FFA Degree as follows:

1. Star Finalist

• Star in Production Agriculture (6 finalists)

• Star in Agribusiness (6 finalists)

• Star in Agriscience (6 finalists)

• Star in Agricultural Placement (6 finalists)

2. The Iowa Star in Production Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agriscience, and

Agricultural Placement will be selected through an interview of each star finalist.

These candidates shall provide their SAE record books for review by the

committee selected to interview. The interviews will take place at the Iowa FFA

Leadership Conference with the overall winner in each area named at the final

session.

E. Awards

State: Degree Recipients State Degree Pin (Awarded on Stage at SLC)

State Degree Certificate (Awarded in SLC Packet)

Star Finalists Plaque (Awarded on Stage at SLC)

Cash Award (Attached to plaque)

Star Winners Plaque (Awarded on Stage at SLC)

Cash Award (Attached to plaque)

National FFA Cash Award (Mailed following SLC)

All awards subject to available sponsorship through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

F. Event Hosting Guidelines/Checklists

Needed Materials Checklist:

____ Iowa FFA Degree Applications and Record Books

____ Iowa Degree Review Sheets (1 per application)

____ Copies of rules

____ Tables for Reviewers

____ Chairs for Reviewers

____ Calculators

____ Pens/Pencils for Reviewers

E. Review Sheet/Review Hints/Appeal Hints