Official FFA Manual – Core Concepts Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering FFA mission, structure, history, degrees, officer roles, emblem, SAE, official dress, parliamentary procedure, programs, and policies to prepare for exams and reinforce key concepts from the Official FFA Manual.

What are the three integral components of School-Based Agricultural Education?

1) Classroom & laboratory instruction 2) FFA premier leadership, personal growth & career success 3) Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

State the FFA Vision.

Growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world.

What is the FFA Mission?

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.

List the six types of Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).

1) Foundational 2) Ownership/Entrepreneurship 3) Placement/Internship 4) Research-Based 5) School-Based Enterprise 6) Service-Learning

Which three words summarize the definitions of the FFA mission precepts?

Premier Leadership (Influence), Personal Growth (Positive evolution), Career Success (Continuous demonstration of qualities for a chosen profession)

What are the FFA official colors and what do they represent?

National Blue (the blue field of the U.S. flag) and Corn Gold (the golden fields of ripened corn) symbolizing unity and agriculture.

Recite the FFA Motto.

Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

Who wrote the FFA Creed and at which convention was it adopted?

E.M. Tiffany; adopted at the 3rd National FFA Convention.

Name the five symbols on the FFA emblem and their meanings.

Cross-section of ear of corn (foundation & unity), Rising sun (progress), Plow (labor & tillage of soil), Owl (wisdom), Eagle (national scope).

What year was the National FFA Organization founded and where?

1928, at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.

What law granted FFA a federal charter and in what year?

Public Law 81-740 in 1950 (recodified as Public Law 105-225 and amended by Public Law 116-7).

When were females first allowed national FFA membership?

1969.

Identify the four officer symbols and their matching offices.

Plow – Vice President; Rising Sun – President; Ear of Corn – Secretary; Bust of Washington – Treasurer.

What is required official dress for male FFA members?

Official FFA jacket zipped to the top, white collared shirt, official FFA tie, black slacks, black socks, black dress shoes with closed heel and toe.

What is required official dress for female FFA members?

Official FFA jacket zipped to the top, white collared blouse, official FFA scarf, black skirt or slacks, black nylons/ socks, black closed-heel and toe dress shoes.

Give two responsibilities of the Chapter FFA President.

Preside over meetings using parliamentary procedure; appoint committees and coordinate chapter activities.

What percentage vote is needed to pass amendments to the National FFA Constitution?

Two-thirds of official delegates at the National FFA Convention.

How long may an individual retain student FFA membership after high-school graduation?

Until November 30 following the fourth National FFA Convention after graduation or until their 23rd birthday, whichever comes first.

Name the five degrees of active FFA membership in order.

Discovery, Greenhand, Chapter, State, American.

List two minimum requirements for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

Be enrolled in agricultural education with an SAE plan; Learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute and mission statement.

How many official voting delegates represent each state at National Convention?

Two delegates per state, plus additional delegates based on membership numbers, not to exceed a total of 475.

What is the minimum amount of earned and productively invested money for the American FFA Degree first option?

Earn at least $10,000 and productively invest at least $7,500.

Define ‘parliamentary procedure’ in the context of FFA meetings.

A set of rules (Robert’s Rules of Order) used to conduct orderly meetings while protecting rights of the majority and minority.

What are the four FFA Value Statements adopted in 2021?

1) Respect and embrace every individual’s culture and experiences. 2) Welcome every individual’s contribution to advance communities and agriculture. 3) Cultivate an environment allowing exploration of differences. 4) Create leadership opportunities for every individual.

Which two taps of the gavel call a meeting to order?

Two taps.

Which gavel signal should members rise?

Three taps.

What is the proper FFA salute?

The Pledge of Allegiance.

Give one restriction on the use of the FFA jacket.

School letters or insignia of other organizations cannot be attached or worn on the jacket.

What is the National Quality FFA Chapter Standard related to SAE?

All students maintain an exploratory SAE and career plan of study.

Who can wear the official gold owl pin?

FFA Advisors.

State the six categories of national FFA proficiency awards (example category types).

Agriscience, Agribusiness, Agricultural Communications, Environmental & Natural Resources, Equine Science, Food Science & Technology (plus many more).

When is National FFA Week celebrated?

During the week that includes George Washington’s birthday (February).

What are the four criteria included in the definition of Personal Growth in FFA mission precepts?

Physical, Social, Professional, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual growth (any four of these).

Which FFA program provides $1,000 grants for starting or expanding SAEs?

SAE Grants program.

Name the first female National FFA President and her state.

Jan Eberly from California (1982-83).

Identify two of the four National FFA regions.

Western, Southern, Central, Eastern (any two).

What are official chapter supplies that must be present in every meeting room (name three)?

Gavel and block, FFA banner, official FFA flag, set of officer station markers, at least seven Official FFA Manuals, scrapbook (any three).

Give one example of a Service-Learning SAE.

Conducting a needs assessment, planning and implementing a community garden to address food insecurity (answers vary).

Who presents the Honorary American FFA Degree and when?

National FFA Organization at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

What minimum percentage of FFA membership is needed for a chapter to remain in good standing with its state association?

Must pay all state and national dues/affiliation fees by the required date (no specific percentage; key is dues paid and reports submitted).

Which officer is stationed by the Flag and why?

Reporter; because the flag covers the United States as the reporter strives to inform the people that FFA is a national organization.

Which FFA program highlights cutting-edge technology and innovation at convention?

The FFA Blue Room.

Explain the purpose of the Give the Gift of Blue program.

To provide official FFA jackets to members who may not otherwise be able to afford them through donations and sponsorships.

What does SAE stand for?

Supervised Agricultural Experience.

Which degree pin is made of silver?

Chapter FFA Degree pin.

Which National FFA event provides members a week-long leadership experience in Washington, D.C.?

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC).

Name two duties of the FFA Treasurer.

Receive and deposit funds with receipts; present monthly financial reports; maintain neat and accurate records; collect dues (any two).

What is required before wearing the Greenhand pin?

Receiving the Greenhand FFA Degree.

What are the five parts of the FFA Mission’s Premier Leadership components (choose three)?

Action, Relationships, Vision, Character, Awareness, Continuous Improvement (any three).

What is the minimum community service hours for the State FFA Degree?

25 hours in at least two different activities.

Which historic act of 1917 established vocational agriculture courses in the U.S.?

Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act.

What was the New Farmers of America (NFA) and when did it merge with FFA?

An agricultural organization for African-American students founded in 1935; merged with FFA in 1965.

List three acceptable uses of the FFA emblem according to board policy.

Public information, educational programs, motivational programs (fundraising products require additional rules).

What is the official parliamentary authority for FFA meetings?

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Who is responsible for maintaining proper room conditions and welcoming guests at meetings?

The Sentinel.

How many members earned the American FFA Degree in 2024?

A record 4,805 members.

What is the purpose of the Agricultural Literacy and Advocacy platform?

To ensure all FFA programming is infused with advocacy and literacy, building communication and civic skills about agriculture.

What minimum GPA or scholastic record is required for the American FFA Degree?

A high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.

Who presents the FFA salute during meetings?

All members and guests, led by the President.

Name two of the four National FFA standing committees besides the Governing Committee.

National Officer Nominating Committee; Finance Committee; Board Nominating Committee (two of these).

What trademark restriction applies to weapons and alcohol-related items?

FFA trademarks may not be used on weapons or in partnership with brands connected to alcohol or tobacco.