Your step-by-step guide to launching an official middle school FFA chapter through the Arizona Association FFA

Step 1: Establish a School-Based Agriculture Career Exploration Program

Your school must offer a structured middle school agriculture career exploration program that meets the following criteria:
- Structured Sequence of Instruction in agriculture career cluster (not necessarily daily, but planned).
- CTE-certified Agriscience Teacher
- Inclusive for all populations.
- Industry involvement through advisory committees or partnerships.
- Age-Appropriate Professional Skills development.
- Work-Based Learning through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
- Integration of Academic Standards into instruction.

Step 2: Submit the Middle School Ag Program Approval Form

Once your program is in place, submit the Middle School Agriculture Program Approval Form to the Arizona FFA State Office. This verifies your program’s compliance with state middle school ag ed requirements.

Step 3: Gather Students to Develop a Constitution and Program of Activities (POA)

Host an initial meeting with interested students. Together, develop:
- A Chapter Constitution and Bylaws, using available templates if needed.
- A Program of Activities (POA)—a calendar of events, goals, and plans aligned with the three-circle model of agricultural education: Classroom/Lab, SAE, and FFA.

Step 4: Elect Chapter Officers

Based on your constitution, elect student leaders who will serve as the first officers of your FFA chapter. These students should lead activities, represent the chapter, and assist in completing the chartering process.

Step 5: Complete the Application to Charter a Middle School Chapter

Once your ag program is approved and your chapter structure is in place, complete and submit the Application to Charter a Middle School Chapter form to the State FFA Office.

Step 6: Receive Your Chapter Number and Logins

Upon approval, the Arizona FFA will provide:
- Your Official Chapter Number.
- Access to azffa.org tools and resources.
- Your chapter’s AET (Agricultural Experience Tracker) login credentials.

Step 7: Submit the Affiliation Contract and Member Roster

Use the FFA Roster Guide to:
- Submit your Affiliation Contract. 
- Register all student members officially through the roster system.

Step 8: Charter Presentation at State Leadership Conference

Your final step is recognition! Your chapter will be formally presented with its Official Charter on stage during the Arizona FFA State Leadership Conference—a moment of pride for students, advisors, families, and your school.