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FFA History
The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act,(both Senator Hoke Smith and representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia) establishes vocational agriculture courses. -
FFA History
Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry C.Croseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magill organized the FFV for boys in agriculture classes. The FFV serves as the model for the FFA. -
FFA History
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 -
FFA History
H.O. Sargent, a federal agent for agricultural education for African and Americas 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, an organization for African- American agriculture students. the organization holds its first state rally that same year -
FFA History
*FFA is established in Kansas City, Mo
*First National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo.:33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance.
*Leslie Applegate from New Jersey is elected first national FFA president
*First sectional gathering of NFA members is held -
FFA History
*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.
*First National chapter contest is launched and sponsored by Farm Journal magazine.
*At the second National FFA Convention in November,33 states are represented by 64 delegates.
*Thirty-five state associations with approximately 1,500 chapters. -
FFA History
The Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, is adopted.
The first Official dress uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap, and yellow tie. -
FFA History
The National FFA Radio Program on MBC is launched. -
FFA History
A charter is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA Association. -
FFA History
Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as the official dress.
A group of FFA officers and members make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., where they are greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D, Roosevelt. -
FFA History
NFA is founded as a National organization a the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
David Simmons of Alabama is elected as the first national NFA president. -
FFA History
During the National FFA Convention, action is taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C. -
FFA History
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.
Identical twins Albert and Arthur Lacy from Hondo, Texas, become the only members ever to share the title of Star Farmer of America. -
FFA History
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.
During World War II, delegates revise FFA membership rules so time served in the armed forces will not count in determining a member’s period of eligibility. -
FFA History
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.
The first National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award is presented for agricultural mechanics. -
FFA History
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. -
FFA History
The first National FFA Band performs at the National FFA Convention.
National FFA Officers go on the first Goodwill Tour, visiting business and industrial firms and organizations. -
FFA History
The first FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA Convention.
National FFA Supply Service begins operation.
Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948. So many members (10,000) attend the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel is set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
First FFA Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday. -
FFA History
The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with the Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
FFA History
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. 30, and it becomes Public Law 81-740.
The Rhode Island FFA Association, with five chapters and 82 members, is chartered—FFA is in all 48 states, plus the Territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. -
FFA History
The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted.
The first issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published. -
FFA History
The U.S. Post Office Department issues a special 3-cent postage stamp—the cost of mailing a first-class letter then—to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA. The first stamps are released in Kansas City, Mo., during the National FFA Convention.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks at the National FFA Convention the first U.S. president to do so and receives an Honorary American Farmer Degree.
FFA membership reaches 363,369 members. -
FFA History
Photo of American Star Farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine. -
FFA History
Former President Harry S. Truman speaks during the National FFA Convention. -
FFA History
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presents NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation. -
FFA History
First National FFA Center is dedicated in Alexandria, Va., on land that was once part of George Washington’s estate. An FFA camp had been located here earlier.
FFA holds its first National Leadership Training Conference for state officers in Washington, D.C. -
FFA History
FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket. -
FFA History
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000. -
FFA History
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. -
FFA History
Elmer J. Johnson helps develop the FFA archives at the National FFA Center. -
FFA History
Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon speaks at the National FFA Convention. Nixon is elected U.S. president the following month. -
FFA History
FFA opens membership to females, making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels.
Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agribusiness.
The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference WLC) begins.
The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
FFA History
New York’s Anita Decker and New Jersey’s Patricia Krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national convention. -
FFA History
The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins. -
FFA History
The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins. -
FFA History
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television. -
FFA History
Food for America program launches.
Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains (Ga.) FFA Chapter speaks at the National FFA Convention. Carter was elected U.S. president the following year.
The first FFA Student Handbook is published. -
FFA History
Julie Smiley from Washington is elected national FFA vice president and is the first female to hold a national FFA office.
Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter. -
FFA History
President Jimmy Carter speaks at the 51st National FFA Convention again, this time as a U.S. president.• The commemorative marker noting the site of the organization’s founding is unveiled in Kansas City, Mo. -
FFA History
Christe Peterson from Wisconsin wins the first Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event. -
FFA History
The National FFA Foundation raises $1 million in one year for the first time. -
FFA History
Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president. -
FFA History
The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches. -
FFA History
The first FFA TV public service announcements air.