Chuck Joiner, Central High School Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, was recently selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree. This award is given to those who advance agriculture education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. Chuck Joiner has been instrumental in coordinating and developing the award winning Agriculture Program at Central High School. Chuck is a 32 year teaching veteran and all of his teaching years have been spent as part of Central High School.

The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, such as Chuck Joiner, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well-being of the nation. The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists.

Recipients in the teacher category are selected on the basis of their contributions in the following seven areas: Classroom and laboratory instructions; students’ experiential learning; the National FFA Organization; building partnerships; agricultural education program marketing, program development and evaluation; and professional development of agricultural education teachers. In addition, teachers must have taught for a minimum of 10 years and their agricultural education program must have had 85% membership in the past year.

Joiner will receive the award at the 2013 National FFA Convention & Expo October 30-November 2 in Louisville, Kentucky. All recipients will receive a certificate and medal, and their names will be permanently recorded.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 557,318 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,498 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.