From left, Waterford FFA students Leia Barnett, Austin Greene and Grace Hartline pose with the State FFA Degree award. (Photo provided)

COLUMBUS – Three members of the Waterford FFA Chapter were awarded the Ohio State FFA Degree during the 97th State FFA Convention in Columbus.

Leia Barnett, Austin Greene and Grace Hartline received the degree, one of the highest honors presented by the Ohio FFA Association. The award recognizes members who have shown commitment to agricultural education, leadership, community service and career development. The students are advised by Matt Hartline, agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser for the Waterford FFA Chapter.

To qualify for the State FFA Degree, members must meet several requirements, including earning and productively investing at least $2,500 through a supervised agricultural experience program. Those programs allow students to gain practical experience by starting or owning an agriculture-related enterprise or working in an existing agricultural business.

Recipients also must complete at least 25 hours of community service, demonstrate leadership abilities, stay active in FFA and show involvement in their communities.

Barnett, Greene and Hartline each received a gold State FFA Degree Key and a certificate recognizing the achievement.

The degree is awarded each year to a select group of Ohio FFA members who have spent years building skills through classroom instruction, hands-on agricultural experience and chapter activities. The recognition reflects both academic work and professional growth in agriculture.

The Ohio FFA Association presents the State FFA Degree during its annual convention to recognize members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the organization’s mission of developing premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.