FFA History

  • 1917

    The Smith Hughes National Vocational Education Act establishes vocational agriculture courses.
  • 1925

    Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C Magil organize the future farmers of virgina.
  • 1926

    The first National Congress of vocational Agriculture students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at America Royal Livestock and Horses Show in Kansas City, Mo.
  • 1927

    H.O. Sargent, a federal agent for agriculture students assembles for African Americans in the U.S. Office of Education, and G.W. Owens a teacher trainer at Virginia State College.
  • 1928

    Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City MO.
    Leslie Applegate is elected the first National FFA president
  • 1929

    National blue and corn gold are adopted as FFA official colors.
    35 stats association with approximately 1,500 chapters and 30,00 members are affiliated with the national organization.
  • 1930

    official FFA creed was written by E.M. Tiffany is adopted
    Delegates restrict FFA members to boys only.
  • 1931

    The national FFA radio is launched on NBC
  • 1932

    A charter is granted to Puerto Rico FFA Association
  • 1933

    blue corduroy jacket is adopted as official Dress
  • 1935

    Active FFA membership ex 100,000 members
  • 1937

    FFA established a camp and leadership training in Washington D.C.
  • 1939

    28.5 acres of land was purchased in Alexandria Va as the first national FFA headquarters.
  • 1942

    During the war years, national conventions are streamlined events attended only by delegates and award winners. In 1942 just 217 people attend the convention.
  • 1944

    138,548 FFA members serve in the Armes services in world war ll.
  • 1946

    Attendance at the National FFA "Victory Convention" is 12,500. Those who attend honor the 260,450 FFA members who served and the 7,188 who paid the supreme sacrifice, losing their lives in the war.
  • 1947

    The first national FFA band performs at the national FFA Convention.
  • 1948

    The first FFA chorus and national FFA talent program is held at the National FFA Convention.
  • 1949

    The first international Exchange Program for FFA members begins with the young farmers club of great britain.
  • 1950

    The Rhode island FFA Association with five chapters and 82 members is charted as FFA is in 48 states plus the territory of Hawaii Puerto Rico.
  • 1952

    The FFA code of Ethics is adopted. The first issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published.
  • 1953

    FFA membership reaches 363,369 members
  • 1955

    Photo of American star farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine.
  • 1957

    Former President Harry S. Truman speaks during the National FFA Convention.
  • 1958

    The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presents NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation.
  • 1959

    FFA holds its first National Leadership Traning Conference for state officers in Washington D.C.
  • 1964

    FFA sells its one million FFA jacket.
  • 1965

    FFA Membership increases by more than 500,000.
  • 1966

    First National agriculter career is held for