FFA History

  • 1917

    The Smith-Hughes National Education Act, (both Senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia) establishes vocational agriculture courses.
  • 1925

    Virginia Tech agriculture education teacher educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV) for boys in agriculture classes. The FFV serves as the model for the Future Farmers of America.
  • 1926

    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.
  • 1927

    H.O Sargent, a federal agent for agriculture education for African Americans at the U.S. Office of Education, and G.W. Owens, a teacher -trainer at Virginia State College, write the first Constitution and by-laws for the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year.
  • 1928

    Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo. Leslie Applegate from New Jersey is elected the first national FFA president.
  • 1929

    National blue, corn, and gold are adopted as the official FFA colors. Carlton Patton from Arkansas is named the first Star Farmer of America. This is one of the first awards created by FFA, and it was sponsored until 1949 by the Kansas City Star.
  • 1930

    Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany is adopted. Edward Drace from Missouri wins the first National Public Speaking event. The first Official dress uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue ar white pants, blue cap, and yellow tie.
  • 1931

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

    A charter is granted to the Puerto FFA association.
  • 1933

    Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as an Official Dress.
  • 1935

    NFA is founded as a national organization a the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. 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-owned national headquarters; the land was once part of George Washington's estate.
  • 1942

    FFA members join in the war effort. Three former FFA members-Robert Gray from Texas, Travis Hoover from California, and Melvin Jordan from Oklahoma- serve with then L.t. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and participate in the famous air raid on Tokyo.
  • 1944

    The Future Farmers of America Foundation is formed in Washington D.C to raise money for FFA programs and Activities. 138,548 FFA members serve in the Armed Services in World War II.
  • 1946

    Attendance at the National FFA Victory Convention is 12,500. Those in attendance 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 telent program is held at the national FFA convention. Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948.
  • 1949

    The first international exchange program for FFA members begins with the Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.
  • 1950

    The 81st U.S Congress passes a bill that grants a federal charter to Future Farmers of America. President Harry S. Truman signs the bill on August 30th and it becomes public law 81-740.
  • 1952

    The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted.
  • 1953

    FFA membership reaches 363,369.
  • 1955

    Photo of American Star Farmer Jow 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.
  • 1966

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

    Elmer J. Johnson helps develop the FFA archives at the National FFA Center.
  • 1969

    FFA opens membership to females making it possible for them to hold office.
  • 1970

    New Yorks Anita Decker and New Jersey's Patricia Krowicki become the first two females delegates to the national convention.
  • 1971

    The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
  • 1973

    FFA Official standards are created.
  • 1974

    P\resident Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention.
  • 1975

    The first FFA Student Handbook is published.
  • 1976

    Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter.
  • 1978

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

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

    The National FFA Foundation raises $1 million 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 information service, launches.
  • 1984

    The first FFA TV public service announcements air.
  • 1986

    The first Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award is presented to Steven McKay from Boonville, Calif.
  • 1987

    The first national television satellite broadcast of the National FFA convention airs.
  • 1988

    The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced.
  • 1989

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

    The Partners in Active Learning Support program launches.
  • 1991

    FFA chapters in the U.S Virgin Islands and Guam, along with 5 chapters in Micronesia, are charted.
  • 1994

    Corey Flournoy from Illinois was the first African American to be elected national FFA president.
  • 1996

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

    The first Agri-Entrepreneurship Award is presented.
  • 1998

    The National FFA Center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20.
  • 1999

    Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first national creed speaking event.
  • 2000

    The National FFA Archives at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis opens.
  • 2001

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

    Official dress standards are revised.
  • 2003

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

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

    The National FFA Foundation tops the $10 million mark in raising money in one year for FFA programs and services.
  • 2006

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

    The FFA merchandise center opens in Indianapolis.
  • 2008

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

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

    Dr. Larry Case retires after 26 years as an FFA advisor.
  • 2011

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

    National FFA Foundation receives a record of more than $16.2 million in support of FFA.
  • 2013

    Sherene Donaldson is named the first female national FFA executive secretary.
  • 2014

    FFA members earn a record of 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

    Platinum sponsor John Deere commemorates 75 years of partnership with FFA.
  • 2019

    FFA celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization.
  • 2020

    The Forever Blue Network is launched.
  • 2021

    FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni membership.