In 2000, the Discovery FFA Degree for middle school students was approved.

• A. Greenhand FFA
• B. American Star
• C. Keystone Degree
• D. Discovery FFA Degree

Answer: (D)

Recognizing early involvement in FFA is the focus here: the Discovery FFA Degree was created to recognize middle school students who participate in FFA activities before high school. It was approved in 2000 to provide a formal entry point for younger members and to encourage continued involvement as they move into high school. This is different from the Greenhand degree, which goes to first-year high school members, and from the American Star awards, which are national-level recognitions for more advanced achievement within high school. The Keystone Degree is a higher-level recognition often awarded by the state association, not the middle school entry point. So the middle school designation approved in 2000 is the Discovery FFA Degree.