American FFA Degrees awarded

Bethany Ericson and Katelyn Vincent, representing the Uniontown FFA chapter, were awarded American FFA degrees at the 85th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. The convention is known as the largest student gathering in the country and occurred Oct. 24-27. (Submitted Photo)

Each year, the National FFA organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the group through their desire to develop their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of people for years of academic and professional excellence. Two of those are from Uniontown -- Bethany Ericson and Katelyn Vincent, representing the Uniontown FFA chapter.

They were awarded the degrees at the 85th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. The convention is known as the largest student gathering in the country and occurred Oct. 24-27.

The American FFA Degree is sponsored by Case IH, Farm Credit, Elanco, DuPont Pioneer 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 agricultural enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 community service hours and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.

Each recipient of the American FFA Degree received a gold American FFA Degree key, plus a certificate.

FFA provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.