Georgia 4-H and FFA Statement of Relations

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Georgia is proud to have active, successful, and nationally recognized youth development and educational programs in both FFA and 4-H. We recognize that there are distinct differences in the two organizations, and we believe that both make great contributions to the development and education of Georgia’s youth. Because a significant number of young people participate in both organizations, this Statement of Relations (SOR) is intended to guide the faculty, staff, leaders, and youth of the two organizations as they work with each other.

Value of Youth and Youth Involvement

This Statement of Relations is founded on the philosophy, mission, and values of the two organizations involved. All programs and opportunities are based on a commitment of positive youth development and education as described in the following mission statements:

Georgia 4-H is a program of Cooperative Extension and is a part of the University of Georgia. 4-H has as its core values: agriculture and the environment, family and consumer sciences, leadership, civic engagement, and communication. The mission of Georgia 4-H is: to assist youth in acquiring
knowledge, developing life skills and forming attitudes that will help them become self-directing, productive, and contributing citizens.

Georgia FFA is part of the Georgia Department of Education and is based on components of classroom education in agricultural topics; hands on supervised agricultural career experience; and career/ leadership development through the FFA. The mission of FFA is: to make a positive
difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personalgrowth and career success through agricultural education.

Cooperation and Planning

To foster and facilitate cooperation between 4-H and FFA in the performance of their functions, state and local 4-H and FFA leadership will meet from time to time (at least once annually) to discuss matters involving or requiring the cooperative effort of such organizations. They shall determine activity adjustments necessary to resolve specific problems and achieve the greatest
good; and are encouraged to cooperate in sharing resources and information to provide positive youth development and educational opportunities.

Ethics

The Georgia 4-H and FFA youth programs provide opportunities to develop life skills and enhance knowledge in an ethical manner. We value youth programs that promote: strengthening family, increasing the understanding and appreciation of agricultural and environmental sciences, embracing positive youth development, and engaging youth in programs that enhance science, math, and reading skills. Students are expected to participate and compete in a responsible and ethical manner.

Dual Membership

4-H and FFA each offer a broad curriculum of study and many opportunities for youth development. Therefore, simultaneous participation in both programs is acceptable and encouraged.

Eligibility

A student must meet all of the following eligibility requirements to compete in state contest and state affiliated livestock shows. If a student does not meet all requirements, that student will forfeit the right to compete in state events and state affiliated livestock shows for that program year. State affiliated livestock shows are shows that are organized by 4-H and FFA state staff. These shows are Georgia Junior Beef Futurity, Georgia National Fair and Georgia National Livestock shows (state shows). Changing programs (4-H and FFA) at shows not organized by state staff may impact the student’s eligibility at state affiliated shows.

– A student may not compete in the same event in both organizations in the same year (i.e. Livestock Evaluation, Land Evaluation, etc…). This affords opportunities to more students for learning experiences and recognition. Events that are covered by this rule will be specifically noted as “same” events in a defined and published list posted by the State FFA Advisor and State 4-H Leader on an annual basis.
– A student may win an event one year in one organization, and then compete in and win the same event in the other organization in a subsequent year.
– Students must be legitimate members of the organization that they represent at the time of competition. Local clubs and chapters should establish expectations and criteria outlining valid preparation by the students for contests and events.
– A student may only show the same specie of food livestock project (beef, swine, goat, sheep and dairy) in the same program (4-H or FFA) during a program year.
– Example: Breeding gilts, mkt barrows and mkt gilts must be shown in the same program (4-H or FFA) during a program year. These are same species.
– Example: A student may show a breeding heifer(beef) 4-H and show a market barrow(swine) FFA in a program year. These are different species.
– In an exceptional case, a student may request an organizational change during the program year by submitting a written request to the state 4-H and FFA directors. (For livestock show purposes only)
– A student may show recreational animals (horses, dogs, cats, exotic, etc.) in both organizations in the same year; as recreational animals are not presented and evaluated on the same market or production standards as food animal/livestock.
– Both organizations support academic achievement for all youth, and will therefore support local rules relative to participation based on academic eligibility.
– Leadership is a strong component of both organizations. Each organization is responsible for creating its own criteria for seeking and holding leadership positions (i.e. State Office)
– In non-showing, non-judging projects (i.e. public speaking, debate, fair exhibits, etc…) students are encouraged to develop different speeches or exhibits based on the format and scoring criteria of the respective organizations. It is understood that on occasion a student may use the same basic structure and content in multiple speech or exhibit opportunities.

Project Year

For the sake of this Statement of Relations and the activities, shows, and competitions that it regulates, a project “year” is defined as July 1-June 30. Participation in national events or contests resulting from winning a state event is considered an extension of the same year, and will not cause students to become ineligible for participation in the same event in the other organization during a subsequent year.

Public Relations

When conducting collaborative activities, both Georgia 4-H and FFA organizations should be represented through emblems and information on all signs, print material, and awards. Publicity should reflect the total contributions of both organizations.

FFA/4-H “Same” Activities Project Year July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

As stated in the FFA/4-H Statement of Relations, a student is eligible to participate in both FFA and 4-H simultaneously. However, a student is not allowed to participate in activities considered “same” to both groups in the same “project year.” The Statement of Relations defines the “project year” as July 1 to June 30. The Statement says that annually the State FFA Advisor and State 4-H Leader will meet and announce the list of activities considered “same” for the coming year. The following activities have been announced as “same” by the State FFA Advisor and State 4-H Leader.
-Dairy Cattle Evaluation (judging)
-Forestry (judging or field day)
-Horse Evaluation (judging)
-Land Evaluation (judging)
-Livestock Evaluation (judging)
-Poultry Evaluation (judging)
-Wildlife Management (judging)
-Animal show events: Beef, Lamb, Swine, Goat and Dairy
– Georgia Junior Beef Futurity
– Georgia National Fair
– Georgia National Livestock Show (state shows)