SGD intern earns highest degree from FFA

Nov. 8, 2019

Ross Black, SGD intern (right), is congratulated on earning his American FFA degree by Kolesen McCoy, FFA national president.

The National FFA recently awarded Ross Black, intern at Seed Genetics Direct, an American FFA degree, an honor less than one percent of FFA members receive.

Considered the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, to earn the degree, FFA members must first receive a State FFA Degree, be an active FFA member for the past three years, complete secondary instruction in an agricultural education program and operate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience. In addition, members must exhibit leadership, scholastic achievement and community service.

After joining the Teays Valley FFA, Black served as student advisor and president. He also worked to carry on the family tradition of agriculture—a tradition that centers around a family farm in Lockbourne, Ohio. Serving as a farm hand and raising 30 acres of corn and soybeans, as well as 4-H pigs, Black completed his FFA agricultural experience. In 2019, he also interned with Seed Genetics Direct, a company in Jeffersonville, Ohio that supplies corn, soybean, wheat and alfalfa seed with the latest technologies to farmers across the Midwest. While at SGD, Black assisted in planting, maintenance and data-gathering of research plots, as well as logistics and field day promotions.

“Ross has completed an enormous amount of work in a rigorous program and this honor recognizes that,” said Todd Jeffries, SGD vice president of sales and operations. “We are extremely proud of him and congratulate him on achieving the highest levels of success.”

Black is currently in his second year at Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute where he is majoring in crop management and soil conservation. He will graduate in May.