Three FFA members were from Frederick County
(HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND) – Fifteen Maryland FFA members have been selected to receive the prestigious American FFA Degree, given annually by the National FFA Organization.
The American FFA Degree is bestowed in recognition of years of academic and professional excellence. Representing nine Maryland FFA Chapters, the following Maryland FFA members have been selected:
Brunswick Chapter: Jill Allen
Damascus Chapter: Mallory Anderson
North Garrett Chapter: Dakota Bittinger; Luke Canan; Anthony Glotfelty; Ashley Hetz; Abby Kisner; Ally Kisner; and Sadie Powell
Oakland Chapter: Trenton Evans
Catoctin Chapter: Tiffany Lenhart
South Carroll Chapter: Rylee McConville
Middletown Chapter: Hannah Miller
Caroline Co. Chapter: Larissa Springer
North Harford Chapter: Lynne Thomas
Each recipient of the American FFA Degree will receive a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate after being recognized at the national convention, scheduled to be held virtually in October.
“We are extremely proud of these 15 members,” says Karen Nicklas, chair of the Maryland FFA board of directors. “The American FFA Degree honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”
To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they own their own business or hold a professional position as an employee. Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement through completion of a long list of FFA and community activities. Less than one percent of FFA members achieve the American FFA Degree.
The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation is a 501c3 non-governmental nonprofit established in 1989. Through the Maryland FFA, teacher workshops, scholarships, grants, Mobile Labs and Showcases, and revenues from the Ag Tag license plate sales, the Foundation pursues its mission to promote the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in everyone’s lives. The Maryland FFA Association’s staff team is partially funded through a $50,000 federal Perkins grant facilitated by the Maryland State Department of Education. The Maryland FFA Association has 2,500 student members in 54 local chapters throughout the state.