FFA History

  • 1917

    The smith Hughes national vocational education act (both senator hoke smith and representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia ) establishes vocational agriculture courses.
  • 1925

    Magill organize the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys in agriculture classes the FFV serves at the model for the future farmers of america
  • 1926

    The first national congress of vocational agriculture students assembles for a national livestock judging contest
  • 1927

    H.O. Sargent federal agent for agriculture education for African Americans at the U.S. office of education
  • 1928

    FFA is established in kansas city First national FFA convention is nheld in kansas city 33 delagates from 18 states are attended
  • 1929

    national blue and corn gold are adopted as officail FFA colors
  • 1930

    first FFA manual printed by the farm journal of Philadelphia
  • 1931

    the natonal FFA radio program on NBC is launched
  • 1932

    a character is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA association
  • 1933

    blue corduroy jacket is adopted as officail 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 owned national headquarters the land was once part of George Washington estate
  • 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

    the first national FFA agriculture proficiency award is presented for agriculture machianes
  • 1946

    Attendance at the national FFA victory convention is 12,500
  • 1947

    the first national FFA band performs at the national FFA convention
  • 1948

    National FFA supply service begins opperation
  • 1949

    the first international exchange program the FFA members begins with the young farmers club of great briten
  • 1950

    the 81st U.S. Congress passes a bill that grants a federal charter to FFA
  • 1952

    the FFA code of ethics is adopted
  • 1953

    FFA membership reaches 363,369 mebers
  • 1955

    photo of America star Famer 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

    The first national FFA center is dedicated in alexandria Va on land that was once part of George Washington estate
  • 1964

    FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket
  • 1965

    NFA merges with FFA increasing FFA membership by more the 50,000
  • 1966

    FFA first national agriculture career show is held at the national FFA convention to highlight educational and career opertunties in agriculture
  • 1967

    Elmer J. Johnson helps develop 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
  • 1970

    new yorks Anita decker and new jersey Patricia krowicki become the first 2 female delegates to the national convention
  • 1971

    the national FFA alumni association is established
  • 1973

    FFA official dress standards are created
  • 1974

    President Gerald Ford speaks at the national FFA convention
  • 1975

    food for America program launches
  • 1976

    Julie Smiley from Washington is elected national FFA vice president