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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 Future Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year. -
1917
The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act, (both Senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia) establishes vocational agricultural courses. -
1925
Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers 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 assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo. -
1928
Future Farmers of America in 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 President. -
1929
National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors. 35 state associations with approximately 1500 chapters and 30,000 members are affiliated with the national organization. -
1930
Official FFA creed, written by E.M Tiffany, is adopted. Edward Drace from Missouri wins the First National Public Speaking event. The first Official Dress uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap, and a yellow tie. Delegates restrict FFA membership to boys only. First FFA Manual 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
Blue Corduroy Jacket is adopted as official Dress. -
1935
NFA is founded as a national organization at the Tuskegee Institution in Alabama. David Simmons of Alabama is elected as the first national NFA president. 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 Alexandra Va., for the first FFA-owned national headquarters; the land was once part of George Washington's estate. -
1942
FFA members join 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 war years, national conventions and streamlined events, attended only by delegates and award winners. In 1942, just 217 people attend the convention. -
1944
The Future Farmers of America Foundation is formed in Washington, D.C. to raise money for FFA programs and activities. 138,584 FFA members serve in the Armed Services in World War ll. -
1946
Attendance at the National FFA "Victory Convention" is 12,500. Those in attendance honor the 260,548 FFA members who served and the 7,188 who paid the supreme sacrifice, losing their lives in the war. -
1947
The first National Band performs at the National FFA Convention. -
1948
National FFA Supply Services begin operation. Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948. So many members (1,000) attend the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding cot hotel is set up in the basement Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. First FFA Week is celebrated during 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 81st U.S Congress passed a bill that grants a federal charter to Future Farmer of America. President Harry S. Trueman signs the bill on August. 30, and it becomes Public Law81-740. -
1952
The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted. The first issue of the National Future Farmer magazine is published. -
1953
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. 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. Trueman speaks during the National FFA Convention. -
1958
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presents NFA with a Certificate of Appericiation. -
1959
First National FFA Center is dedicated in Alexandria, Va., on the land that was once part of George Washington's estate. An FFA camp had been located there earlier. 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. Delegates vote to increase FFA membership dues from 10 to 50 cents, allowing all members to receive the official FFA magazine, The National Future Farmer. -
1966
The first FFA National Agricultural Carer 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 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. The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
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. The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins. -
1973
FFA Official Dress standards are created. National FFA Secretary Fred McClure from Texas is the first African-American elected to a national FFA office. -
1973
FFA Official Dress standards are created. National FFA Secretary Fred McClure from Texas is the first African-American elected to a national FFA office. 1974 -
1974
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television. -
1974
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television. -
1975
Food for America program launches.Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains (Ga.) FFA Chapter speaks at National FFA Convention. Carter was elected U.S. president the following year. The first FFA Student Handbook is published. -
1975
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. -
1976
Julie Smiley from Washington is elected national FFA vice president and is the first female to hold a national FFA office. -
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 a U.S. president. The commemorative marker noting the site of the organization’s founding is unveiled in Kansas City, Mo.1979 -
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. -
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. -
1980
The National FFA Foundation raises $1 million in one year for the first time. -
1882
Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president. -
1982
Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president. -
1983
The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches. -
1983
The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches. -
1984
The first FFA TV public service announcements on air. -
1986
The first Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award is presented to Steven McKay from Boonville, Calif. -
1987
Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention. Bush is elected U.S. president the following year. -
1988
The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture.• Seventh and eighth-grade students are permitted to become the FFA members. -
1989
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons. -
1990
National convention delegates vote to raise the number of official voting delegates to 475 based on proportional representation. Delegates vote “no” to a new FFA Creed during the 63rd National FFA Convention. -
1991
FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five chapters in 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
FA announces its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va.to Indianapolis. FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky., in 1999. -
1997
The first Agri-Entrepreneurship Award is presented. -
1998
The Agricultural Education National Headquarters is dedicated to Alexandria, Va. The National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo., for the last time. Jose Santiago from Puerto Rico is elected national FFA vice president. He is the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national FFA officer. Public Law 81-740 is revised through the 105th Congress and replaced by Public Law 105-225 on Aug. 12. -
1999
The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time with 46,918 in attendance. Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking event. -
2000
Delegates at the National FFA Convention approve the Discovery FFA Degree for middle school students. -
2001
Steven Offer from Wisconsin is named the first American Star in Agriscience. Nicholas Streff from South Dakota is named the first American Star in Agricultural Placement. -
2002
The 75th National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky. To celebrate this special event, the time capsule from the 50th National FFA Convention is opened. Special guest Muhammad Ali is recognized at Reflections to honor the growing diversity of the National FFA Organization. Official Dress standards are revised -
2002
The 75th National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky. To celebrate this special event, the time capsule from the 50th National FFA Convention is opened. Special guest Muhammad Ali is recognized at Reflections to honor the growing diversity of the National FFA Organization. Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American Star Farmer. Lindow is the first female to receive this award. -
2003
Javier Moreno from Puerto Rico is elected national president; he becomes the first person with a native language other than English and the first Puerto Rican elected to this office. “Only Blue Will Do!” launches. The campaign focuses on restoring the official FFA jacket colors to the true national blue and corn gold, as well as providing a superior-fitting jacket. “FFA Live!” launches on RFD-TV. -
2004
The first live webcast of the National FFA Convention premieres on FFA.org. -
2005
National FFA launches Seeds of Hope, a fundraising campaign to rebuild Gulf Coast states’ agricultural education and FFA programs following Hurricane Katrina; $835,699 in donations is distributed to affected programs. The National FFA Foundation tops the $10 million mark in raising money in one year for FFA programs and services. -
2007
The FFA Merchandise Center opens in Indianapolis. The FFA membership exceeds the half-million mark with 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters. -
2008
The FFA member networking site, FFA Nation (now defunct), launches. The FFA board of directors makes the decision to rotate the National FFA Convention between Louisville and Indianapolis, beginning with Louisville in 2013 -
2009
FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization. -
2010
The FFA celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of NFA. Six college-age FFA members travel to Zambia for the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program. -
2011
The National FFA Alumni Association celebrates its 40th anniversary. The FFA celebrates Native Americans in FFA, agriculture, and agricultural education during the 84th National FFA Convention. -
2012
Patrick Gottsch donates $1 million on behalf of RFD-TV to the National FFA Organization, the single-largest unrestricted donation in the organization’s history. National FFA Foundation receives a record of more than $16.2 million in support of FFA. The FFA members and supporters pack 1,005,048 meals during the national convention and expo’s FFA Rally to Fight Hunger. -
2013
Sherene Donaldson is named the first female national FFA executive secretary. Ram Truck’s “So God Made a Farmer” Super Bowl commercial exceeds 18 million views on YouTube; the company donates $1 million to FFA. The FFA Today Radio Show debuts on SiriusXM’s RURAL RADIO channel. -
2014
FFA members earn a record 3,765 American FFA Degrees. Five FFA jackets are donated to the Smithsonians National Museum of American History. The Give the Gift of Blue Program begins.. -
2015
Membership in the National FFA Alumni Association reaches 62,705 alumni. The organization’s official website, FFA.org, is updated to include a new look, a personalized dashboard, the resource My Journey, the FFA Resume Generator©, and the FFA Brand Center. The FFA emblem is also newly refreshed to modernize the FFA brand. -
2016
National FFA Alumni membership jumps to 225,891 members, up from 62,705 in 2015. FFA, Discovery Education, and AgCareers.com partner to create AgExplorer, a career website to help students explore unique careers in agriculture. -
2017
Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president. Alumni membership hits an all-time high with 344,239 members in 2,051 chapters. -
2018
Platinum sponsor John Deere commemorates 75 years of partnership with FFA. FFA announces that the National FFA Convention & Expo will stay in Indianapolis through 2031. The 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis has a record attendance of 69,944 members, advisors, supporters, and guests. The inaugural FFA Blue Room launches at the national convention and expo, showcasing cutting-edge technology research and innovation in agriculture. -
2019
FFA celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization. H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization’s Federal Charter Amendments Act (also known as Public Law 116-7) becomes law. Dr. Steve Brown retires as National FFA advisor and National FFA Board of Directors Chair. The National FFA Delegates amend and the National FFA Board of Directors ratifies the National FFA Constitution and Bylaws.The National FFA Foundation celebrates its 75th anniversary.