FFA History

  • 1917

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

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

    The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo.
  • 1927

    H.O. Sargent, a federal agent for agricultural 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 Farmers of Virginia, and organization for African- American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally the same year.
  • 1928

    Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo. The First National FFA convention is held in Kansas City, Mo. 33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance.
  • 1929

    National blue and corn gold are adopted as 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. The first FFA manual was printed by The Farm Journal of Philadelphia.
  • 1931

    The national FFA radio program on NBC is launched.
  • 1932

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

    The Blue Corduroy jacket is adopted as an 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 Washington's estate.
  • 1942

    FFA members join in the war effort. 3 former FFA members serve with then Lt. Col. JimmyDoolittle 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 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 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 Aug 30th, and it becomes public law 81-740.
  • 1952

    The FFA code of ethics is adopted.
  • 1952

    FFA code of ethics is adopted.
  • 1953

    FFA membership reaches 363,369 members.
  • 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.
  • 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, increases FFA membership by more than 50,000.
  • 1966

    The first FFA national agricultural career show (now called expo) is held at the national FFA convention to highlight educational and career opportunities in agriculture.
  • 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. Nixon is elected the U.S president the following month.
  • 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 Krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national convention.
  • 1971

    The national FFA alumni association is esablished.
  • 1973

    FFA official dress standards are created.
  • 1974

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

    Food for America program launches.
  • 1976

    Julie Smiley from Washington is elected national FFA vice president and is the first female to hold a national FFA office.
  • 1978

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

    Christe Peterson from Washington wins the first extemporaneous public speaking event.
  • 1980

    The national FFA foundation raises one 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 services announcements air.
  • 1986

    The first agriscience teacher of the year award is presented.
  • 1987

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

    President Ronald Reagan speaks at the national FFA convention via a prerecorded message.
  • 1989

    The national future farmer magazine changes it's name to FFA New Horizons.
  • 1990

    The partners in active learning support (PALS) program launches.
  • 1991

    FFA chapters in the US Virgin Islands and GUAM, along with 5 chapters in Micronesia are chartered.
  • 1994

    Cory Flournoy from Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA President.
  • 1996

    H.O Sargent Award is reinstated promoting diversity amount chapters. The official website for FFA, FFA.ORG, debuts.
  • 1997

    The first agri-enterpreneurship award is presented.
  • 1998

    The national FFA center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20th. Public law 81-740 is revised through the 105th congress and replaced by public law 105-225 on August 12th.
  • 1999

    The national FFA convention is held in Louisville, KY for the first time with 46,918 in attendance.
  • 2000

    The national FFA archives at Indiana University- Perdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) opens.
  • 2001

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

    Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American Star farmer Lindow is the first female to receive this reward.
  • 2003

    "Only Blue Will Do" launches. The campaign focusses on restoring the official jacket colors to the true national blue and corn gold as well as providing a superior fitting jacket.
  • 2004

    The first live webcast of the national FFA convention premiers on FFA.ORG.
  • 2005

    The national FFA foundation tops the $10 millionth mark in raising money in one year for FFA programs and services.
  • 2006

    The 79th 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) launches.
  • 2009

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

    FFA celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of NFA.
  • 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

    FFA today's radio show debuts on SiriusXMs rural radio channel.
  • 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

    Breana Holbert from California is the first african-american female to be elected the national FFA president.
  • 2018

    FFA announces that the National FFA convention & EXPO will stay in Indianapolis through 2031.
  • 2019

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

    Student membership hits an all time high with 760,113 members in 8,739 chapters.
  • 2021

    FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni members.