FFA History

  • 1917

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

    Henry C. Groesclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia.
  • 1926

    National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show takes place in Kansas City, MO.
  • 1927

    New Farmers of Virginia was made so African- Americans can join.
  • 1928

    FFA is established in Kansas City, MO.
  • 1929

    National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors.
  • 1930

    Official FFA creed, written by E.M Tiffany, is adopted.
  • 1931

    The National FFA Radio Program on NBC is launched.
  • 1932

    A charter is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA Association
  • 1933

    Blue Cordory jacket is adopted as official FFA dress.
  • 1935

    Active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 members.
  • 1937

    During the National FFA convention, action is taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C.
  • 1939

    28.5 acres of land is purchased near Alexandria, VA, for the first FFA-oned national headquarters; the land was once part of George Washington's estate.
  • 1942

    During World War ll, delegates revise FFA membership rules so time served in the armed forces will not count in determining a member's period of eligibility.
  • 1944

    138,548 FFA members served in the Armed Forces in World War ll.
  • 1946

    Attendance at the National FFA ''Victory Convention'' is 12,500.
  • 1947

    The first National FFA Band performs at the National FFA Convention.
  • 1948

    First FFA Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington's birthday.
  • 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 chartered- FFA is in all 48 states, plus the territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
  • 1952

    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 Training Conference for state officers in Washington D.C
  • 1964

    FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket.
  • 1965

    NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000.
  • 1965

    The first FFA National Agriculture Career Show is held at the National FFA Convention.
  • 1967

    Elmer J. Johnson helps develop the FFA archives at the National FFA Center.
  • 1968

    Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon speaks at the National FFA Convention.
  • 1969

    FFA opens membership to females, making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels.
  • 1970

    New York's Anita Decker and New Jersey's Patricia Krowwicki become the first two female delegates to the national convention.
  • 1971

    The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
  • 1973

    National FFA Secretary Fred McClure from Texas is the first African-American elected to a national FFA office.
  • 1974

    President Gerald Ford speaks at National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television.
  • 1975

    First FFA Student Handbook is published.
  • 1976

    Alaska becomes the last of the fifty states to obtain a national charter.
  • 1978

    President Jimmy Carter speaks at the 51st National FFA Convention, this time as a U.S president.
  • 1979

    Chris Peterson from Wisconsin wins the first Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event.
  • 1980

    The National FFA Foundation raises 1 million dollars in one year for the first time.
  • 1982

    Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president.
  • 1983

    The Ag Ed Network, the organization's computerized service launches.
  • 1984

    The First FFA TV public service announcements air.
  • 1986

    The first Agriscience Teacher of The Year is presented to Steve McKay from Boonville, California.
  • 1987

    The first national televison satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention airs.
  • 1988

    President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.
  • 1989

    The National Future Farmers magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons.
  • 1990

    National Convention delegates vote to raise 475 based in proportional representation.
  • 1991

    FFA chapters in the U.S Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five chapters in Micronesia, are charted.
  • 1996

    H.O Sargent Award is reinstated promoting diversity among chapters.
  • 1997

    The first Agri-Entrepreneurship Award is presented.
  • 1998

    The National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, MO for the last time.
  • 1999

    Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking Event.
  • 2000

    The National FFA Archives at IUPIU at Indiana Universtity opens.
  • 2001

    Steven Offer from Wisconsin is named the first American Star Farmer in Agriscience.
  • 2002

    Karlene Lidow from Wisconsin is named American Star Farmer.
  • 2003

    "FFA Live" launches on RFD-TV.
  • 2004

    The first live webcast o the National FFA Convention premieres on FFA.org.
  • 2005

    The National FFA Foundation tops the $10 million mark in raising money.
  • 2006

    The National FFA Foundation announces its first $1 million contributions from the Ford Motor Company.
  • 2007

    FFA Membership exceeds the half-million mark with 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters.
  • 2008

    The FFA member networking site, FFA Nation launches.
  • 2009

    FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization.
  • 2010

    FFA celebrates 75 years of the NFA.
  • 2011

    The National Alumni Association celebrates its 40th anniversary.
  • 2012

    National FFA Foundation receives a record of 16.2 million in support of the FFA.
  • 2014

    FFA members earn a record 3,765 American FFA Degrees.
  • 2015

    FFA announces the national convention and expo to move to Indianapolis from 2016-24.
  • 2016

    National FFA Alumni membership jumps to 225,891 members, up from 62,705 in 2015.
  • 2017

    Alumni membership hits an all-time high with 344,239 members in 2,051 chapters.
  • 2018

    President Donald Trump speaks at the convention and expo.
  • 2019

    FFA celebrates fifty years of women in the organization.
  • 2020

    The Forever Blue Network is Launched.
  • 2021

    FFA celebrates fifty years of Alumni membership.