CTAHR Student Awarded National American FFA Degree

Each year, the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. In addition, the American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of students to recognize their years of academic and professional excellence. This year, 3,863 American FFA Degrees were awarded, which represents less than 1% of this year’s current FFA membership.

To achieve the American FFA Degree, an FFA member must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they own their own business or hold a professional position as an employee. Recipients must also complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement through completion of a long list of FFA and community activities.

Chynna Nicole Chun, a member of the Mililani FFA chapter in Mililani, Hawaii, and CTAHR Student in TAE, was awarded the American FFA Degree at the 94th National FFA Convention and Expo last month in Indianapolis, Indiana! Chynna fulfilled her SAE program in the Placement Internship category where she completed various internships under the Natural Resources Systems, Food Products and Processing Systems, and Career Ready Practices pathways. Chynna has also completed the equivalence of 2 years of systematic secondary agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program.  She has also volunteered with many organizations such as Mālama Pu‘uloa, Kahauiki Village, Papahana Kuaola, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and Ko‘olau Foundation. 

Chynna:

“The National FFA Organization is a premier youth organization that prepares youth for leadership and careers in the many fields of agriculture. The Hawaii FFA State Association has given me countless opportunities to grow into my own person and find my passions in regenerative agriculture, food production and management, and land stewardship. It has also heavily impacted my decision to major in Tropical Agriculture & the Environment (TAE) at CTAHR in hopes to use my knowledge to strengthen the agricultural industry in whatever ways that I can.  Having been a part of this amazing organization for the past 5 years, receiving my American FFA Degree on stage was an awesome achievement as it recognizes the culmination of all my service throughout my high school and college careers while also representing the unconditional support, wisdom, and guidance I received from all of my mentors: Jeff & Monica Yamaguchi, Mike Barros, Uncle Ken Kajihara, Ken Kozuma, Matt Calica, and Ben Meyer. This national degree is a small token of my gratitude and appreciation for them!”

Want to learn more about FFA and how it benefits students?  Check out this short video created by Waipahu FFA Students.