This degree of active membership is awarded by the National FFA Organization and is the highest level of active membership which can be achieved within the FFA.  This final step in the FFA Degree system encourages members to grow and achieve personally toward establishing yourself in an agricultural career.  Members may apply for their American degree only if they have received the State FFA Degree, have graduated from high school at least twelve months prior to the national convention and meet the very high standards for the degree.