Greene County High School

The Iowa FFA State Degree is one of the highest honors that a student can achieve in the state’s FFA program. Representing dedication, hard work, and leadership in the field of agriculture, this prestigious award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to agricultural education and have shown outstanding involvement in their communities and FFA chapters. Earning this degree is a testament to a student’s dedication to the future of agriculture, and it marks a significant step toward success in agricultural careers.

The Iowa FFA Degree is earned by less than 5% of FFA members statewide. FFA members who qualify have met minimum involvement requirements in all components of the three-circle agricultural education model: Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), FFA, and Classroom/Laboratory. Among other qualifications, the applicant must:

• At least a two year active member, previously received the Chapter FFA Degree.

• Completed the equivalent of at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education above the ninth-grade level.

• Have a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program which requires students to engage in hands-on agricultural projects outside the classroom which has earned and invested a combination of dollars and hours that are the equivalent value of $1,500 and/or 375 hours in excess of scheduled class time.

• Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement as well as a proficient scholastic record while in high school.

• Participated in at least 25 hours of community service

This year, three Greene County FFA members add their name to the growing list of members who reach this prestigious milestone. Madison Higgins, Kayla Frederick, and Elise Badger are three of the 31 Greene County FFA members to achieve this degree since the chapter’s establishment in 1942. They will officially be awarded this degree at the 4th General Session of the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames on April 15th. 

The Iowa State FFA Degree holds great significance for these members, both personally and professionally. For many, it is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to agricultural education. It marks not only a student’s growth within FFA but also their readiness to enter the agricultural workforce or pursue higher education in agricultural fields.  It demonstrates leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to the agriculture industry.

Madison Higgins

Madison Higgins is the daughter of Ryan and Dawn Higgins. After her graduation in May, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science with a minor in genetics/reproduction. Starting her membership in 8th grade, Madison became highly involved in managing the FFA Crop Plot on the south side of the high school as well as served as chapter secretary for the past two years. Outside of school, she works at her family farm and Brown Performance Horses as an assistant for her Supervised Agricultural Education projects. In addition, she is also the owner of her personal horses which she raises, trains, and shows. Madison enjoyed learning hands-on and experimenting with new lessons within the animal science and genetics classes and her favorite FFA experience was showing last year at the Iowa State Fair with one of her horses Irresistible Good Bar, (Riley), and winning the FFA Grand Champion overall western horse and the overall Grand Champion western walk trot.

Kayla Frederick

Kayla Frederick is the daughter of Daniel Frederick and Jodi Frederick. She has been an FFA member since 8th grade and plans to attend Iowa State University majoring in Agriculture Communications after graduation in May. Kayla has served as a chapter officer the past three years and as chapter president the 2024-2025 school year. Her Supervised Agricultural Education program consisted of placements at Landus Coop and Syn-Tech. She also spent time working on her family farm. Kayla’s favorite agriculture class was Horticulture, she loved growing the plants and doing fun class activities with the flowers, and favorite FFA memory was the officer retreat the summer after her freshman year because of all the fun games, memories made, and lifelong friendships. 

Elise Badger

Elise Badger is the daughter of Brent and Jen Badger. The 5 year FFA member plans to attend Iowa State University to major in animal science upon graduation. She has served in three different officer positions including chapter president. Elise had three different Supervised Agricultural Experience projects including placement on her family farm as well as a Magna Wave technologist. She also has her own business where she raises and breeds Corgis. Elise’s favorite memory from her agricultural courses included hatching chickens and her favorite FFA memory was attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.