As the FFA State Convention wrapped up Tuesday, three Greene County FFA Chapter members received a prestigious award.

Advisor Raelyn Harris says Madison Higgins, Kayla Frederick and Elise Badger earned the Iowa FFA State Degree, which is the highest honor an FFA member can achieve within the state’s program. She points out that the State Degree is a testament to each of these members’ dedication to the future of agriculture and it recognizes how they have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to agricultural education, along with their involvement in the community and the local chapter. 

Harris notes that to receive the State Degree, there are a number of criteria that a member must meet and satisfy the three-circle agricultural education model for FFA, including a Supervised Agricultural  Experience (SAE), being in FFA and Classroom/Laboratory.  

Harris says Higgins helped manage the Crop Plot that is located south of the high school and served as the Greene County FFA Chapter Secretary for the past two years. According to Harris, the high school senior started in FFA in eighth grade and also works on the family farm and assists at Brown Performance Horses for the SAE. She is the daughter of Ryan and Dawn Higgins and is planning to attend Iowa State University this fall majoring in animal science with a minor in genetics and reproduction.

Harris notes that Frederick also started in FFA in eighth grade and has served as the Chapter Officer for three years and is the President for the 2024-25 school year. Harris states that Frederick’s SAE was working at Landus Cooperative and Syn-Tech, while also helping on her family’s farm. She is the daughter of Daniel and Jodi Frederick and after graduating from high school next month, she plans to attend ISU to major in agriculture communications.

Harris adds that Badger is a five year FFA member and had three different SAEs including placements on the family farm and was a Magna Wave technologist. She also owns a business where she raises and breeds corgis. She is the daughter of Brent and Jen Badger and after high school, Elise is going to go to ISU in the fall and major in animal science. 

All three members received their State Degrees on the last day of the State Convention in Ames. Harris adds that less than five percent of FFA’ers receive the State Degree.