Madison Melcher turned her story into FFA history.

The 2022 Summerland Public School graduate is the first FFA chapter member to receive the American FFA Degree, according to advisor Jacob Goldfuss.

Melcher made the historic walk across the stage, Nov. 4, at the 2023 National Convention, in Indianapolis, during the awards ceremony.

"I am honored to be the first FFA American Degree recipient from Summerland FFA. I am so grateful that Mr. Goldfuss pushed me to apply. He was always there if I had a question and worked with me to make sure I got to walk across the national stage," Melcher said.

The American FFA Degree is the highest honor a member can achieve. According to the organization, "It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their careers."

Requirements to earn the degree are outlined in the FFA Constitution. Seven prerequisites must be met to be eligible.

First, the student must be a State FFA Degree recipient and have been an active member for the past 36 months. Students should be active in local and state FFA activities.

Recipients must have completed at least three years - 540 hours - of secondary school instruction in agriculture education or at least 360 hours of high school ag ed and one full year of coursework in a postsecondary agriculture program.

Another requirement is that the student must have graduated at least 12 months prior to the national convention when the degree is presented.

Each American Degree recipient will have completed a successful supervised agricultural experience program.

Melcher's SAE is in beef placement.

Melcher has worked for Melcher's Herefords, Inc., since she was 12 years old.

Melcher said, "I have learned how to be responsible for livestock and learned how to prioritize a list of tasks. All the skills that I have gained from my SAE will be beneficial to any ag career I want to pursue."

Students applying for the American Degree must either earn at least $10,000 and invest $7,500 or earn and invest $2,000 and work 2,250 hours.

Recipients must demonstrate leadership abilities and community involvement and maintain a high school grade average of "C" or better.

Finally, applicants must have participated in a minimum of 50 hours of community service within at least three different activities. These hours cannot be part of the student's SAE project.

An application sheet and documentation are submitted to the national organization after approval from the state association.

Applications are reviewed by national staff members and the National FFA Board of Directors grant final approval to qualified candidates.

Melcher is currently a student at South Dakota State University.