General Information
Award Submission
Award applications are to be submitted directly to the Florida FFA Office through electronic submission (unless otherwise noted below). Applications that are received through email or fax will not be accepted.
Award Application Deadlines
All award application due dates are listed on the Florida FFA calendar. Applications received after this date may not be accepted.
Award Application Revision
Competitive award applications such as proficiency applications and National Chapter Award applications that are selected at state finalist/winners will be returned to the chapter for revision before being sent on to National FFA for judging. A panel of judges will have reviewed the applications and feedback will be provided on the applications. It is expected that any application returned for revision be corrected and a new copy will be submitted to Florida FFA by the specified due date. Applications that are not properly revised may not be sent on to National FFA for judging.
Non-competetive applications such as State and American FFA Degrees will be reviewed by our staff and allow for revisions to be made. Students and teachers should refer to their Submission List in the Degree/Application Manager to see real-time updates on the status of those applications.
Online Award Applications
An active member FFA.org login is required for each student completing applications for proficiency awards, state degrees, American degrees, agriscience fair, and star awards. Awards are submitted electronically to Florida FFA for judging and approval. Click here for instructions on how to electronically submit your application to Florida FFA.
The following applications are submitted through the Degree/Application Manager:
- Agriscience Fair Application
- American FFA Degree Application
- National Chapter Application
- Proficiency Application (excluding Feeder Steer & Feeder Swine)
- Star Application
- State FFA Degree Application
Resources
In addition to several workshops offered throughout the year at conferences, State and National Convention there are numerous online resources available at ffa.org to help members and advisors prepare for the various award programs.
- Official FFA Manual
- Agriscience Fair Handbook
- National Chapter Award Program Handbook
- Agriculture Proficiency Award Handbook
- American FFA Degree Application Guide
- Florida FFA State Degree Guide
- Online Award Application Submission Guide
Award application Reminders
Listed below are some items to keep in mind when completing and submitting award applications:
- Plagiarism – computerized search for plagiarism will be conducted on award application at the national level. Plagiarized applications will be disqualified.
- Pictures – Any pictures include in an application should be of the highest quality possible and in color.
- Signatures – Applications that are missing signatures will be disqualified.
- Altered Applications – Applications that have been altered from their original form will be disqualified.
Award and Degree Applications
| Award | Overview | Incentive | Submission Requirements |
Agriscience FairEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted electronically through the Degree/Application Manager.
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The National FFA Agriscience Fair is a competition for FFA members who are interested in the science and technology of agriculture. It is held each year, during the State FFA Convention. Participation begins at the local chapter level and progresses to the state and national levels. Areas of participation closely mirror those of the international science fair, but reflect an agricultural theme.
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Top 3 category winners in each division receive awards at the conclusion of the fair. First place Division winners receive a trophy on stage at the State FFA convention. Each participant who is selected and who accepts the invitation to participate at the National FFA Convention will receive a travel award.
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• Complete Application
• Complete Research Report |
Alumni Essay ContestEligibility:
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The Alumni Essay Contest recognizes outstanding FFA members from chapters with an active Alumni Affiliate. Award winners will receive scholarships to assist in attendance at a leadership conference of their choice.
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Top 5 applicants in each division will be recognized at State FFA Convention and will receive a scholarship to a leadership conference of their choice.
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More Information |
American FFA DegreeEligibility: Refer to the National FFA Constitution Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted electronically through the Degree/Application Manager.
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FFA is structured into a degree program which rewards active FFA members for progress in all phases of leadership, skills and occupational development. The highest degree, the American FFA Degree, is conferred upon an elite group of members at the national level, which are approved by the state association.
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All recipients recognized on stage at the State and National FFA Conventions.
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Access FFA.org Submission Instructions |
Chapter Agricultural Advocacy AwardEligibility: Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Submitted Online
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This program is designed to make today’s elementary students more aware of the world of agriculture and how it affects their daily lives. One of the primary objectives is to promote agricultural literacy among today’s students.
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Top five finalists each receive a plaque. In addition, the first place chapter receives $200, second place chapter receives $100 and the third place chapter receives $50. Awards are given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Start Application |
District Officer ApplicationEligibility: Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Printed and Mailed |
The primary responsibility of a district officer is to serve the Florida FFA Association, Agricultural Education and Agriculture as an ambassador in district activities in a way that will inform, motivate and inspire FFA members, advisors and others to embrace and uphold the FFA mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. | According to the Florida FFA Constitution, in order to be elected to a district office, a member must hold the Chapter FFA Degree. District officers must be elected each year at the annual state convention. Candidates are required to complete and submit this application along with a sealed letter of recommendation from the FFA Advisor and a one-page resumé of FFA, school and community activities. | Start Application |
FFA Advisor of the Year AwardEligibility: Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Submitted Online. |
The purpose of the FFA Advisor of the Year Award is to recognize agriculture educators who have made a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education in their local chapter. | Finalists are recognized and the winner receives a plaque on stage at the State FFA Convention. | Start Application |
Honorary State FFA Degree NominationEligibility: Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Submitted Online. |
The Florida FFA Association relies on the support of exceptional individuals to provide life-changing experiences for its members. Each year, at the State FFA Convention, we honor those who have rendered outstanding service to agriculture or the agricultural education/FFA program with the Honorary State FFA Degree. Florida FFA will award up to 10 Honorary State FFA Degrees each year, along with five Distinguished Service Citations.
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Finalists are recognized and the winner receives a plaque on stage at the State FFA Convention. | Start Application |
Outstanding Alumni AwardsEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Printed and Mailed |
The Outstanding Affiliate Award honors FFA Alumni Affiliates for outstanding accomplishments and contributions within their local chapters. The four finalist applications and the state winner’s applications will be sent on to National to be considered for the National Outstanding Alumni Affiliate.
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Top five affiliates, members, and young members receive a plaque. Awards are given on stage at the State FFA Convention. | Outstanding Affiliate Application Outstanding Member Application Outstanding Young Member Application |
Outstanding District Officer AwardEligibility: Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Submitted Online
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The Ryan Rimmer Outstanding District Award recognizes the accomplishments of the state’s top district officer. The award application evaluates the district officer’s goals, plan of action, and the outcomes of their accomplishments during their year as a district officer.
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Finalists are recognized and the winner receives a plaque on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Start Application |
Premier Chapter AwardEligibility: Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Submitted Online with Quality Chapter Report
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To be considered a premier chapter, Senior chapters are required to obtain the maximum amount of points in each category for a total of 260 points, as well as complete the additional Partnership Standard requirements. Junior and Middle school chapters are required to obtain 230 points and must also complete the Partnership Standard requirements to be considered a Premier Chapter.
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Premier Chapter Award recipients receive a plaque on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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National Chapter Award
Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager.
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The National Chapter Award program is designed to award FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using a Program of Activities (PoA) that emphasizes student, chapter and community development. Quality standards have been developed in each area as minimum requirements for recognition in the National Chapter Award program. The FFA mission and strategies should be used as a guide in planning, implementing and assessing accomplishments. To be considered Florida’s Finest, a chapter must have an active alumni chapter.
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Applicants selected as Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters each receive a plaque. Awards are given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Access FFA.org Submission Instructions |
New FFA Member Award
Accessed from FloridaFFA.org, Submitted Online
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The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding achievements of a first year FFA member in a way that will inform, motivate, and inspire FFA members, advisors, and others to embrace and uphold the FFA mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
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Finalists are recognized and the winner receives a plaque on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Start Application Application Information |
Proficiency AwardsEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager. Feeder Steer & Feeder Swine are accessed from Flaffa.org. Printed and mailed.
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The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Placement proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. Please note that not all award areas are recognized at the state level. Recognized award areas are:
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Each finalist receives a plaque. Winner receives an additional plaque and a monetary award. The advisor of the winner also receives a monetary . Awards are given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Access FFA.org |
State FFA DegreeEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager. |
The State FFA is the highest degree that the State FFA Association can bestow on a member. This degree is award annually at the State FFA Convention to those members who have met the minimum qualifications set forth by the National FFA Organization.
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All recipients recognized and receive a charm on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Access FFA.org State Degree Guide Submission Instructions |
State Star AwardsEligibility: * Members who received their State FFA Degree in a previous year may submit an updated State FFA Degree along with the Star Battery Application Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager. |
The Star Farmer, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Agricultural Placement Award represent the best of the best among hundreds of State FFA Degree recipients. Finalists for the awards have mastered skills in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences in the areas of production, finance, management and/or research.
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Finalists receive a monetary state award and a trophy. Winner receives an additional monetary award and a plaque Awards are given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Star Discovery Degree AwardEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager.
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The Star Discovery Degree Award recognizes the state’s top Discovery Degree recipient based on the student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience program and other experiences related to FFA and Agricultural Education. All award types (Farmer, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Agricultural Placement) will compete together for this award.
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Finalists receive a $100 state award and a plaque. Winner receives an additional $200 state award, a plaque and a trophy. Awards given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Star Greenhand Degree AwardEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager.
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The Star Greenhand Degree Award recognizes the state’s top Greenhand Degree recipient based on the student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience program and other experiences related to FFA and Agricultural Education. All award types (Farmer, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Agricultural Placement) will compete together for this award.
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Finalists receive a $100 state award and a plaque. Winner receives an additional $200 state award, a plaque and a trophy. Awards given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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Star Chapter Degree AwardEligibility: Accessed from FFA.org, Submitted online through the Degree/Application Manager. |
The Star Chapter Degree Award recognizes the state’s top Chapter Degree recipient based on the student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience program and other experiences related to FFA and Agricultural Education. All award types (Farmer, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Agricultural Placement) will compete together for this award.
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Finalists receive a $100 state award and a plaque. Winner receives an additional $200 state award, a plaque and a trophy. Awards given on stage at the State FFA Convention.
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