Gilles earns the highest achievement from FFA

Jordan Gilles, Cadott native (right), happily accepted the American FFA Degree Nov. 4, at the National FFA Convention, as one of the less than 1 percent who receive the award. Gilles is especially proud of the honor, because her grandfather, who inspired her, never reached that pinnacle. Submitted Photo

By Ginna Young

The American FFA Degree is something that less than 1 percent of all Future Farmers of America (FFA) earn, which makes it all the more impressive to list Cadott’s Jordan Gilles in that group. The Class of 2021 graduate was awarded the distinction Nov. 4, at the National FFA Convention.

“It is the highest degree that an FFA member can receive,” said Gilles.

Students receive the degree if they have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the FFA and have made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experience (SAE). They’re also required to hold a Greenhand FFA Degree, Chapter FFA and State FFA degrees, and have completed at least three years of high school agricultural classes.

They also have to apply for the honor, with a wait time of almost a year, as well keeping detailed records of the money invested/ earned through something such as Gilles’ SAE beef cattle operation, recording cash flow, and assets and liabilities over the time in the FFA.

“It’s a lot to keep track of,” said Gilles. Gilles is currently a junior at Cornell University, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, majoring in animal science, with a minor in food and agricultural business, and a minor in public policy. Once she’s out of school, Gilles plans on working in agricultural policy, but she’d like to stay involved in FFA, perhaps in the alumni field or as an industry professional.

She credits her high school FFA adviser Keith Becker as big help in propelling her to where she is know, along with her dad and late grandpa, Rusty, who was also part of the Cadott FFA chapter.

“I know he never got to get his American Degree, so that was something I really wanted,” said Gilles.