Seven members of the Memphis Future Farmers of America Chapter were recently honored with Missouri’s highest FFA honor. Brock Aylward, Lathe Bair, Jacob Buford, Katie Campbell, Avery Shultz, Kalissa Thomas and Parker Triplett of Memphis, Missouri have received the State FFA Degree, the highest degree members can receive at the state level.
The Memphis FFA members were among the record 988 degree recipients receiving the honor. The list of recipients was released the week of April 20.
Prior to 2020, the number of recipients was limited to three percent of the Missouri FFA Association members. Now earning the degree is based on minimum specific qualifications.
“Missouri FFA members have always considered earning the State FFA Degree an honor,” said Missouri FFA Association Advisor Leon Busdieker. “Instead of limiting the number of individuals eligible to earn the degree, the Missouri FFA Association has established a minimum set of qualifications, increasing the number of recipients. This gives students a more defined path to the recognition.”
Awarding of the degree is based on a member’s supervised agricultural experience program in agribusiness or production agriculture, and leadership ability as demonstrated through involvement in FFA, school and community activities.
The State FFA Degree award charms are sponsored by MFA Inc., Columbia.
The Missouri FFA has 25,945 members representing 348 chapters. The national organization has more than 700,000 members representing 8,612 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
