The Missouri FFA Association has nominated two area students to receive the American FFA degree at the 71st National FFA Convention in Kansas City Nov. 12 through 14.

John Fritsche of Perryville and Brian Heuring of Oran were among 194 Missouri members to be nominated for the degree.

The American FFA Degree recognizes demonstrated leadership ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs. Of the 447,880 members, only 1,935 will receive the degree in 1998.

To receive this degree, members must have earned $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start their own or work for an existing agricultural enterprise and productively invested those earnings.