La Grande FFA member earns national FFA's highest degree

Brett Hedden, son of Mike and Cristie Hedden, La Grande, earned his American FFA Degree at the 80th National FFA convention held in Indianapolis in October.

The American Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes the member's leadership abilities and achievements in agricultural business, production, processing and service programs.

To be eligible for the American Degree, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a Supervised Agriculture Experience program.

Hedden, a 2005 La Grande High School graduate, is a sophomore at Eastern Oregon University majoring in rangeland resources. His SAE consists of market steer production, market sheep production, an extensive sheep-breeding operation and wildland firefighting for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest's La Grande Ranger District.

Hedden's leadership activities included serving as La Grande FFA secretary. His agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser is Paul Anderes.