FFA History

  • 1917

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

    Virginia Tech agriculture education teacher educators Henry. C Groseclose harry w sanders waiter s newsmen and edmund c magill organize the future farmers of virigina for boys in agriculture classes. the FFA serves as the model for the FFA.
  • 1926

    The first national congress of vocational agriculture students assembles for a national livestock judging contests the American royal livestock and horse show in Kansas City MO
  • 1927

    H.O Sargent writes the first constitution and bylaws for the new FFV and organization for African American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that year
  • 1928

    FFA is established in Kansas City M.O. First national FFA convention is held in Kansas City M.O 33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance.
  • 1929

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

    Official creed written by E.M Tiffany is adopted. Delegates restrict FFA members boys only.
  • 1931

    The national FFA program on NBC is launched
  • 1932

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

    Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as offical 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

    Identical twins Albert and Arthur lacy from honda texas became the only members to ever share the title of star FFA
  • 1942

    During the war years, national conventions are streamlined events attended by delegates and award winners in 1942 just 217 people attend the conveention.
  • 1944

    138,548 FFA members served in the armed services in world war 2.
  • 1946

    Attendance at the National FFA victory Convention is 12500 those in attendance hone 260,450 FFA members who served and the 7,188 who paid the supreme sacrifice losing there lives in the war
  • 1947

    The first national FFA band plays at the national FFA convention.
  • 1948

    First FFA week is celebrated of 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 5 chapters and 82 members is chartered FFA is in all 48 states plus then Territory of Hawaii and Puorto Rico
  • 1953

    FFA membership reaches 363,369
  • 1955

    Photo of American star Joe Moore is on the cover of Time Magenzine
  • 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 members by more than 50,000
  • 1966

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

    Elmer J. Johnson helps develop the FFAarchieves at the National FFA center
  • 1968

    Presidential canidet Richard Nixon speaks at the national FFA convention
  • 1969

    the delegates body of the national FFA convention is part of the constitution
  • 1970

    New yorks Anita Decker and New Jearseys Patricia Krowicki become the first women delegates to the national convention
  • 1971

    The national FFA Alumni assisting is established
  • 1973

    The official dress standards are created.
  • 1974

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

    Jimmy Carter speaks at the national FFA convention. Carter was elected U.S president the following year.
  • 1976

    Julie Smiley from Washington is elected national FFA vise 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 a U.S president.
  • 1979

    Christe Peterson from Wisconson wins the first extemporaneous