-
1917
the Smith-Hughes national vocational education act, (senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia) establishes vocational agriculture cources. -
1925
Virginia tech agriculturist 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. -
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 -
1927
H.O. Sargent and G.W. Owens wrote the first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers Of Virginia State College, an organization for African American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year. -
1928
•Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.
•The first selection gathering of New Farmers of America (NFA) members is held -
1929
• national blue and corn gold are adopted as the official FFA colors
• at the 2nd national FFA convention on November, 33 states are represented by 64 delegates -
1930
• official FFA creed, written by E.M. Tiffany is adopted
• delegates restrict FFA membership to boys only -
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 in Washinton D.C -
1939
identical twins Albert and Arthur Lacy from Hondo, Texas become the only members ever to share the title of Star Farmer of America -
1942
During the war years, national conventions are 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. -
1944
The Future Farmers 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. -
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. -
1947
The first National FFA Band performs at the National FFA Convention. -
1948
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. -
1948
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. -
1949
The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.1950 -
1949
The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with 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. 30, and it becomes Public Law 81-740. -
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. 30, and it becomes Public Law 81-740. -
1952
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. -
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. -
1958
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presents NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation. -
1959
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. -
1964
FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket. -
1965
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000.1966 -
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 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 established. -
1973
National FFA Secretary Fred McClure from Texas is the first African-American elected to a national FFA office. -
1974
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television. -
1975
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. -
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, launches. -
1984
The first FFA TV public service announcements air.1986 -
1986
The first Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award is presented to Steven McKay from Boonville, Calif. -
1987
The first national television satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention airs. -
1988
The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture. -
1989
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons. -
1990
The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches. -
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
H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters. -
1997
The first Agri-Entrepreneurship Award is presented. -
1998
The National FFA Center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20. -
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-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) opens. -
2001
Steven Offer from Wisconsin is named the first American Star in Agriscience. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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 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
Dr. Larry Case retires after 26 years as national FFA advisor. -
2011
The National FFA Alumni Association celebrates its 40th anniversary. -
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. -
2013
Sherene Donaldson is named first female national FFA executive secretary. -
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
Convention delegates recommendations to alter Official Dress and the opening ceremony get approval from the National FFA Board of Directors. -
2018
The board of directors votes to rename the National FFA Alumni Association to National FFA Alumni and Supporters and change its bylaws to operational policies. The National FFA Alumni Council becomes the National FFA Alumni and Supporters Advisory Committee. -
2019
FFA celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization.