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Local FFA students, Griffin, Whalin, earn recognition

Each year, the National FFA Organization honors the 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. That honor, the American FFA Degree, is bestowed upon a select group of individuals for years of academic and professional excellence.

Megan Giffin and James Whalin were selected to join that exclusive list and were awarded the American FFA Degree at the 87th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Ky. The convention is known as the rgest student gathering in the United States and took place from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.

Giffin and Whalin are members of the Waterford FFA Chapter and their agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor is Matt Hartline.

The American FFA Degree is sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, DuPont Pioneer, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. It recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs. To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 community service hours, as well as demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.

Each recipient received a gold American FFA Degree Key and a certificate in a walnut frame to commemorate the achievement.

Giffin is the daughter of Jim and Terri Giffin and is currently majoring in Early Childhood Education at the University of Rio Grande. Whalin is the son of Brian and Elaine Whalin and is currently majoring in Meat Science at The Ohio State University.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of over 600,000 student members-all preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture-as part of 7,489 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education.

The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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