The Empire Degree is the highest honor students can receive at the State level. It requires documentation of a student's SAE as well as confirmation that the student has received the Greenhand, and Chapter degrees. If a student wishes to be considered for a District and State Star, the student should also fill out the “AET Star Application”.
Empire Degree and State star APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ONLINE February 15th.
Empire degree Applicants and Their Advisor must SUBMitt their application utilizing the AET Submission List once the signature page is complete.
Empire Degree application questions should be directed to: Kelsey O’Hare at kko8@cornell.edu
Guide for Completing the Empire Degree Application
Guide for Complete the State Star Application
AET Submission List Directions/Video
Community Service Guidelines for FFA Degrees
State Star Resources:
State Star AET Application Help Video
Application Tips:
To generate a new version number, choose “Complete/Print Application” from the application menu and then select “Complete/Save Your App”. This will generate and save a new version of your application. Anytime you make changes please generate a new version.
State Degree Requirements:
To be eligible to receive the State FFA Degree from the state association, a member must meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.
2. Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree.
3. While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, which includes ffa traditions 29 a supervised agricultural experience program.
4. A student after entering agricultural education must have:
a. earned and productively invested at least $1,000; or
b. worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time; or c. a combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural experience program.
5. Demonstrate leadership ability by:
a. Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law.
b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA.
c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or 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 the chapter’s Program of Activities.
8. Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level.
9. Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service, within at least two different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours. The percentage of the total state membership that may receive the State FFA Degree and other requirements may be established by the state FFA association.
Source: The Official FFA Manual