Four generations

Mallory Bakley’s great-grandfather would have been so proud of her.

In 1941, Marvin Paul was the first person in Osceola Big Chief FFA chapter to receive an American Degree. In October, Mallory received her own FFA American Degree at the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo Oct. 28-31 in Louisville, Ky.

Mallory is also a fourth generation FFA member from her family in the Osceola Big Chief chapter.

“To me, it’s a legacy that you know the next generation is going to carry on,” said Mallory’s grandfather George Paul. “There’s going to be a future in agriculture and there’s going to be a future in the rest of the family. It just carries on that far.”

The degree

The American FFA Degree is bestowed up on a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence.

Sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, DuPont Pioneer, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, the award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs.

To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise.

Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement.

Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key, certificate and matted frame after being recognized on stage at that national convention.

Numbers have grown

When Mallory’s great-grandfather Marvin received his American Degree, only 137 people nationally received the award.

This year, Iowa alone had 127 American Degree recipients. Nationally, 3,434 American Degrees were awarded. It’s the highest, and last degree, a member can achieve.

“It was a lot of hard work, so at the end, it’s very rewarding,” Mallory said.

Throughout her years in FFA, Mallory took records and worked with cattle. She currently is a junior majoring in animal science at Iowa State University. A recipient of FFA’s American Degree must be in the collegiate level.

“I really wanted to get my American Degree,” Mallory said. “I just had to keep my records, keep going with my records, which I take anyway.”

Family pride

Mallory’s mother Dory Bakley recalled her own four years in FFA when she was a student. She was an officer in the chapter, too.

“At that time, not a lot of us got degrees,” Dory said. “… I don’t think there was very many people when I was in high school that got (them).”

George echoed similar statements about his time in FFA.

“It’s quite a feather in your cap if you can get that far,” he said.

The family pride throughout the generations runs deep. Stitched on George’s hat was the name “Paul Farms Shorthorns.”

He said members of his family have grown up around cattle, and have stuck with it throughout the decades.

“It started with a bucket calf for Mallory,” Dory said. “So, I suppose I did carry that with me because I wanted her to have a bucket calf.”

Mallory said that it taught her a lot of responsibility working with cattle and the financial aspects of it.

“She has a lot more love for it than I ever did,” Dory said while laughing. “I guess I thought it was important, though.”

Full circle

Mallory is probably a lot like her great-grandfather in many ways.

George remembered Marvin talking about participating in FFA activities when he was growing up. He said his father was always a sponsor, chaperone or helper whenever it was needed at activities.

“It was just part of his nature,” George said. “He believed in the aspects of Future Farmers of America. Those were his big goals.”