TWO BALLARD FFA MEMBERS RECEIVE AMERICAN DEGREE

INDIANAPOLIS -- The first two Ballard FFA members were conferred the American FFA Degree, the highest degree that can be bestowed upon an FFA member by the National FFA Organization on Saturday, Oct. 27. A record-breaking number of 4,255 members across the nation earned the degree including Nick Jordan and Clayton Poots, two charter members of the chapter.

“It was a great feeling being in the less than 1 percent of members that receive their American Degree,” said 2017 graduate Poots.

For members to be able to receive the American Degree, they must have been an active member and been in an agriculture class for the past three years. A member must be out of high school for a year and have maintained records for an outstanding supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. Within the member’s SAE, they must either have earned $10,000 and invested at least $7,500 or earned and invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours, have at least a “C” grade while in high school and 50 hours of community service.

“It is a really big privilege to be able to be one of the first two members from our chapter to receive this award,” said Jordan, also a member of the Class of 2017.

The privilege came from hard work and dedication with each American FFA Degree recipient receiving the golden key and certificate sponsored by Case IH, Elanco and Syngenta. Even though they have hung up their jackets, Poots and Jordan are carrying more than just a charm and the experience of walking across the national stage in Indianapolis.

“Between my advisor, Jenny Lichty, and this great organization, I have learned many skills to take into my professional life,” said Poots who is headed to Nebraska for a summer internship with Syngenta in Nebraska.

The Ballard FFA Chapter was chartered on October 9, 2014, and currently provides leadership opportunities to members at local, district and state levels. The Ballard FFA Chapter makes a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information, please contact the Ballard FFA chapter or visit www.iowaffa.com.