FFA History

  • 1917

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

    Virginia Tech agriculture education teacher educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newmans, and Edmund C Magill organized the Future Farmer 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 assemble for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the America 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 bylaws for the New Farmer of Virginia, an organization for African-Americans agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year.
  • 1928

    Future Farmers of Americans 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 corduroy jacket is adopted as Official Dress.
  • 1935

    NFA is founded as a national organization at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
  • 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 Wahington'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 Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and participate in the famous air raid on Tokyo.
  • 1944

    The Future Farmer of America Foundation is formed in Washington, D.C. to raise money for FFA programs and activities.
  • 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 Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA Convention.
  • 1949

    The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.
  • 1950

    The 81st U.S. Congress passed a bill that grants a federal charter to Future Farmers of America. President Hatty S. Truman sign the bill on August 30, and it becomes Public Laws 81-740
  • 1952

    The FFA code of Ethics is adopted.
  • 1953

    FFA membership reaches 363,369 members
  • 1955

    Photo of America 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.
  • 1966

    First FFA National Agriculture Career Show (now called expo) is held at the National FFA Convention to highlight education and career opportunities in agriculture.
  • 1967

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

    Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon speaks at the National FFA Convention. Nixon is elected U.S. president the following month.
  • 1969

    Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agriculture.
  • 1970

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

    The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
  • 1973

    FFA National FFA Alumni Association is established.
  • 1974

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

    Food America program launched.
  • 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, launched.
  • 1984

    The first FFA TV public service announcement air.
  • 1987

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

    The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is interduced.
  • 1989

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

    The Partner in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches.
  • 1991

    Micronesia, are chartered.
  • 1994

    Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first urban student leader.
  • 1996

    The official website for FFA, FFA.org, debuts.
  • 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 (IUPUI) opens.
  • 2001

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

    Official Dress standards are revised.
  • 2003

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

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

    The National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time, with 54,589 in attendance.
  • 2007

    The FFA Merchandise Center opens in Indianapolis.
  • 2008

    The FFA member networking site, FFA Nation (now defunct), launched.
  • 2009

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

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

    Dr.Steve A. Brown is named national advisor/board chair.
  • 2012

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

    FFA Today Radio Show debuts on SiriusXM's RURAL RADIO channel.
  • 2014

    The Give the Gift of Blue Program begins.
  • 2015

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

    National FFA Alumni membership jumps to 225,819 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 national convention and expo.
  • 2019

    FFA celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization.