Agriscience Competitions
Agriscience education is intended to enhance the image of agriculture by portraying to students that agriculture includes many careers that are not solely agricultural production or business-oriented. Such careers require a strong background in the biological and physical sciences - fiber technologist, water resource manager, plant geneticist, biochemist, etc.
Agriscience Student Scholarship & Recognition
The Agriscience Student Program recognizes high school students who are studying the application of scientific principles and emerging technologies in the agricultural industry. The program provides scholarships to FFA members planning to pursue a college degree in agricultural science while helping to provide a reliable supply of Agriscience graduates to meet the private and public agribusiness sectors' needs. It is also designed to educate parents, school officials and the public about career opportunities and placements available for Agriscience students. Recognition is available at Chapter, State and National levels.
Requirements-
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Must be a current FFA member.
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Student may be a junior or senior in high school enrolled in agriculture/agriscience/agribusiness, or a college freshman who is an immediate high school graduate majoring in an ag-related field.
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Student should have a course schedule focusing on the application of scientific principles and emerging technologies in an agricultural enterprise.
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Student should be planning a career in agricultural sciences requiring post high school training.
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Local school administration must provide academic certification.
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The project may include personal, school, university, public or private sector research (based on local school curriculum and implemented under the overall direction of the agriculture teacher).
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All research must be initiated while the student is enrolled in high school and completed by December 31st of the year of high school graduation.
Recognition
Chapter Level - Winners can be selected annually in each FFA chapter. Medals and certificates are available from the National FFA on the Medal Distribution Request Form included in the Chapter Resource CD-ROM. The winning chapter application is then submitted to the state for additional judging. Winners can be selected annually in each FFA chapter. Medals and certificates are available from the National FFA on the Medal Distribution Request Form included in the Chapter Resource CD-ROM. The winning chapter application is then submitted to the state for additional judging.
State Level - The state winner receives a scholarship for use at the college of his/her choice and a plaque. The top two state applications are eligible to compete for national awards. The state winner receives a scholarship for use at the college of his/her choice and a plaque. The top two state applications are eligible to compete for national awards.
National Level- Eight national finalists are selected from the state applications and are awarded an additional scholarship and a plaque. Finalists agree to construct a project exhibit to be a part of the Agriscience Student Recognition Display at the National Agricultural Career Show as a part of the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The national winner receives an additional $3,500 scholarship, and the national runner-up receives an additional $1,500 scholarship. The national winner and national runner-up also receive additional plaques.
Agriscience Teacher of the Year
The Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award Program recognizes outstanding agriculture instructors who emphasize science concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum.
Applications are submitted first to the state supervisor for state level competition. The top two, or ten percent of a state’s applications, whichever is greater, are then submitted to the National FFA. Teachers who were named a national finalist are ineligible to enter the competition the first year after being named a national finalist. National winners are ineligible for further competition in this program.
Recognition
State Level – Recognition will consist of a certificate for every participant and a plaque for the state winner.
National Level – Four national finalists will be selected and awarded a plaque, a cash award and a grant for his/her school to purchase agriscience equipment. The national finalists will travel to the national convention to compete for the title of national winner. The national winner will receive an additional plaque, a plaque for his/her school and an additional cash award. Cash awards may vary depending on funding by special project sponsors. Please check the current year’s application for current amounts.
The four national finalists will be introduced on stage at the national FFA convention and be honored at a special meal function. Photographs will be taken and distributed with news releases after the convention. At each phase of the selection process, news releases will be distributed to local and major news media, state staff and local school administrators.