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bettered the quality of life not just for America’s rural and farm families but for everyone across the globe
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Newman proposed forming an organization that offered farm boys “a greater opportunity for self-expression and for the development of leadership
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The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo.
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First National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo.: 33 delegates from 18 states in attendance
Leslie Applegate is elected first national FFA president.
First sectional gathering of New Farmers of America -
First National Chapter Contest is launched and sponsored by Farm Journal magazine
1,500 chapters and 30,000 members are affiliated with the national organization
Second National FFA Convention in November, 33 states are represented by 64 delegates
Carlton Patton from Arkansas is named the first Star Farmer of America -
Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, adopted.
First National Public Speaking event held. Winner: Edward Drace, Missouri.
First Official Dress uniform adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap and yellow tie.
Delegates restricted membership to boys only.
First Official FFA Manual printed. -
Blue corduroy jacket adopted as Official Dress.
A group of FFA officers and members made a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., where they were greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
Active FFA members exceeded through 100,000
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During World War II, when tens of thousands of FFA members served in the armed services. In 1942, just 217 people attended the convention.
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A Bill granted FFA a federal charter and specified that a U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor
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A magazine was published
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President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to speak at a national FFA convention.
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FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket.
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NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000.
Delegates vote to increase FFA membership dues from 10 cents to 50 cents, allowing all members to receive the official FFA magazine, The National Future Farmer. -
FFA opens membership to females, making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels.
Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agribusiness.
The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference — WLC) begins.
The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins. -
Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president.
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The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture.
Seventh and eighth grade students are permitted to become FFA members.
The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced.
President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message. -
Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first urban student leader.
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The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time with 46,918 in attendance.
Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking event. -
The 79th National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time, with 54,589 in attendance.
The National FFA Foundation announces its first $1 million contribution from the Ford Motor Company. -
Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.
