HONORARY AWARDS

STATE HONORARY AWARDS

• Honorary State FFA Degree – For adults who have advanced agricultural education and the FFA in Idaho or provided outstanding service to the agricultural industry. Eligible nominees include agriculture teachers, farmers, business people, legislators, school administrators, and other supporters.

• State Distinguished Service Citation – Reserved for companies or individuals whose support has had a significant statewide impact advancing agricultural education and Idaho FFA.

• State VIP Citation – Recognizes individuals with sustained, long-term service that has meaningfully supported agricultural education and Idaho FFA.

NATIONAL HONORARY AWARDS

• Honorary American FFA Degree – Recognizes individuals or companies that have made national contributions to the FFA. A maximum of five recipients per chartered association may be awarded each year. Teachers are evaluated separately (no more than 1% of a state’s agriculture teachers may receive this distinction).

• National Distinguished Service Citation – Honors organizations or businesses whose contributions have significantly advanced agricultural education and the FFA at the national level; the number of honorees is typically limited to three per year to maintain prestige.

• National VIP Citation – Recognizes individuals who have 20 or more years of service to agricultural education and FFA. Fewer than 15 VIP citations are awarded annually.

STATE HONORARY AWARDS

• December 31 – State applications must be submitted by district directors to Idaho FFA State Staff.

• Mid-Winter (January) – Idaho FFA Board of Directors review state award applications during their mid-winter meeting and approve/deny applicants.

• During State Leadership Convention – Approved State Honorary Award recipients are recognized on stage during session.

NATIONAL HONORARY AWARDS

• December 31 – National nominations close for the calendar year.

• Mid-Winter (January) – Idaho FFA Board of Directors review national award nominations during their mid-winter meeting and approve/deny nominees.

• Spring – Approved nominators or designated board members complete the official National FFA online application for National Honorary Awards.

• Mid-June – Final deadline to submit national applications to the National FFA Organization. Deadline information is available here.

• October – Approved nominees are recognized on stage during the National FFA Convention & Expo.

STATE HONORARY AWARDS

• Recipients of the Honorary State FFA Degree, State Distinguished Service Citation, and State VIP Citation receive plaques and are recognized during a general session at State Leadership Convention in April. Additional honorees may be approved by the Board of Directors under special circumstances.

NATIONAL HONORARY AWARDS

• Idaho’s approved nominees are submitted to National FFA for consideration. Honorary American Degree recipients receive the gold American Degree key and are honored at the National FFA Convention. Distinguished Service and VIP Citation honorees are recognized on stage at the National Convention.

STATE HONORARY AWARDS

• Gather information – Collect a 1–2 paragraph biography, contact info, and any supporting evidence (photos, letters, links).

• Complete the state application – Use the official Honorary State FFA Degree, State Distinguished Service, or State VIP Citation applications available using the link at the top of this page.

• Submit to your district director – Email the completed application and biography before the end of the calendar year to your district director. The district director is responsible for ensuring the application reaches Idaho State Staff or the Board of Directors before the end of the calendar year.

• Board review – District directors forward all nominations to the Idaho FFA Association; the Board of Directors votes to approve/deny. Approved recipients are invited to SLC for on-stage recognition.

NATIONAL HONORARY AWARDS

• Suggest a nominee via Google Form – Anyone may nominate an individual or organization using the state’s Google form, which is available using the link at the top of this page.

• Board review & assignment – The Board of Directors reviews nominees. If approved, the Board designates a BOD member or the original nominator to complete the official National FFA application.

• Complete the National FFA online application – Follow the instructions found here to complete the National FFA online application for approved nominees. Submissions must be received before the deadline (usually mid-June).

• After submission – Once submitted, nominations cannot be edited. National honorees are recognized at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

STATE HONORARY AWARDS

Who is my district director?
District directors can be found on each district’s page. Navigate to Districts and Chapters, then select your FFA district, and finally select the “District Officers & Advisors” button at the top of your district’s webpage.

How do the State Honorary Degree, State Distinguished Service Citation, and State VIP Citation differ?
The Honorary State FFA Degree recognizes adults whose service has advanced agricultural education and Idaho FFA, the State Distinguished Service Citation honors companies, organizations, or individuals with significant statewide impact, and the State VIP Citation is reserved for individuals with long-term, outstanding service to Idaho FFA.

Who can be nominated for a state honorary award?
Anyone who has significantly advanced agricultural education or FFA in Idaho—such as agriculture teachers, farmers, business leaders, policymakers, school administrators, or volunteers—may be nominated for the Honorary State FFA Degree. Individuals or organizations with long-term statewide support may be nominated for the State Distinguished Service Citation. The State VIP Citation recognizes individuals with sustained, Idaho-focused service.

Can multiple people submit state nominations?
Yes, but state nominations must be routed through the district director. Advisors, stakeholders, or community members can help compile materials, but the official submission goes through the district.

When are state nominations due?
Nominations must reach district directors before the mid-winter Board of Directors meeting (usually in January—check the calendar for the exact date).

Where and when are state honorees recognized?
State recipients are recognized on stage at the Idaho FFA State Leadership Convention.

How can I improve a state nomination?
Provide clear, Idaho-focused examples of impact: program development, mentoring, leadership, partnerships, financial or in-kind support, and outcomes. Include a concise bio, specific achievements, and supporting evidence (links, letters, photos).

NATIONAL HONORARY AWARDS

How do the Honorary American Degree, National Distinguished Service Citation, and National VIP Citation differ?
The Honorary American FFA Degree recognizes adults whose service has advanced agricultural education and National FFA, the National Distinguished Service Citation honors companies, organizations, or individuals with significant nationwide impact, and the National VIP Citation is reserved for individuals with long-term, outstanding service to National FFA.

How many people or organizations are recognized each year nationally?
Typically, a chartered association may recommend up to five Honorary American Degree recipients. The National Distinguished Service Citation usually honors no more than three organizations per year, and the National VIP Citation is recommended to not exceed 15 individuals.

Can multiple people submit national nominations?
Yes. Anyone may submit a name via the state’s mid-winter Google form. The Board reviews suggestions and, if approved, designates a BOD member or the original nominator to complete the official National FFA application.

When are national nominations due?
Nominations are due by the end of the calendar year and considered by the Board of Directors at mid-winter (January). After Board approval, the full National FFA application must be submitted by the national deadline (the online system typically closes mid-June).

Where and when are national honorees recognized?
At the National FFA Convention & Expo in the fall.

How can I improve a national nomination?
Document national-level impact with concrete evidence: multi-year service, national committees/initiatives, program creation/expansion, substantial financial or in-kind support, partnerships, and outcomes. Include concise narratives tied to the specific national rubric and provide links or letters that validate scope and results.