Ohio FFA Students Earn Top American FFA Degree
Four OHP/Triad chapter members join more than 5,800 national recipients, with qualification tied to earnings, work hours and service.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Organic Food
Four members of the OHP/Triad FFA chapter in Ohio were awarded the American FFA Degree, the highest honor an FFA member can receive, at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo on October 24, 2026. More than 5,800 American FFA Degrees were awarded nationwide at the convention, and the honor is open to members who meet specific supervised agricultural experience and community service requirements.
Why it matters
The American FFA Degree recognizes sustained agricultural work and leadership, and only a small share of the more than 1 million FFA student members nationwide earn it. For Ohio students considering agricultural education, the award offers a concrete benchmark for what the program's highest tier requires, from earnings or hours in supervised work to community service.
The figures come from the national FFA convention's award tally and published eligibility rules rather than a research study. Qualification requires either at least $10,000 earned through a supervised agricultural experience program or at least $2,000 earned while completing 2,250 hours of work outside class time, plus at least 50 hours of community service.
The players
National FFA Organization
The national youth organization that trains students in agriculture, food and natural resources, and that awards the American FFA Degree, its highest member honor.
The details
Qualifying experiences may include owning a business, working in a professional position, or conducting research, and applicants must show strong leadership and civic involvement through FFA and community activities. The four Ohio recipients reflect that range: Luke Ford is studying Agricultural Systems Management at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, Holden LeVan is majoring in Animal Science at Black Hawk College, Adler Perry is employed with Champion Wash LLC, and Joe Williams is majoring in Agricultural Systems Management at The Ohio State University's main campus.
Timeline
October 24, 2026: Four OHP/Triad FFA members receive the American FFA Degree at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo.
Health Landscape
The American FFA Degree sits at the top of a structured, multi-tier recognition system that rewards hands-on agricultural work rather than classroom performance alone. Its requirements for supervised experience and community service mirror the broader push in food and agriculture education to connect students with practical, applied learning.
Families and students in Ohio who are considering agricultural careers can use the degree's published requirements to plan supervised work, earnings and community service early. Anyone interested in food and farming pathways may find that the program's emphasis on hands-on experience is worth discussing with a school counselor or local FFA advisor.
The takeaway
The American FFA Degree shows how sustained, hands-on agricultural work can be formally recognized, and its published requirements make the path visible to students. Students who want to pursue it should ask their local FFA advisor about the earnings and community service thresholds that apply to them.
Further reading
For related context, explore Organic Food coverage on We are Healthy.
