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The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act
vocational agriculture courses were established in schools. -
FFV
the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys is established in in agriculture classes. -
students participate in livestock judging
The American Royal Livestock Show invited vocational agriculture students to participate in national livestock judging contests in Kansas City, Mo. -
first ag. organization for african-americans
G.W. Owens, teacher-trainer at Virginia State College, and Dr. H.O. Sargent, federal agent for agricultural education for African-Americans, U.S. Office of Education, wrote the first constitution and bylaws of the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agriculture students. -
FFA starts in Kansas
The first national convention also is held in kansas city, 33 delegates from 18 states attend. Leslie Applegate is chosen as the first national FFA president. -
Colors adopted
National blue and corn gold are adopted as the official colors -
Official creed adopted
The official FFA creed is adopted, written by E.M. Tiffany -
Corduroy jacket becomes official dress
The blue Corduroy jacket is adopted as official dress -
FFA is started in Alabama
The active FFA membership grew to 100,000 active members -
national FFA training school
During national convention, a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washinton D.C. was established -
H.O. Sargent Trophy Award
28.5 acres of land purchased near Alexandria, Va., for the first FFA-owned national headquarters; the land was part of George Washington’s estate.
Identical twins Albert and Arthur Lacy of Hondo, Texas, become the only members ever to share the title of Star Farmer of America.
The “H.O. Sargent Trophy Award” was created to honor H.O. Sargent’s commitment to helping NFA members achieve success and leadership in agriculture. -
FFA in the military
During World War II, when tens of thousands of FFA members served in the armed services, national FFA conventions were streamlined events where only delegates and award winners attend. In 1942, just 217 people attended the convention. -
Mechanics get agriculture proficiency award
Future Farmers of America Foundation formed to raise money from business, industry, government, individuals and sponsors for FFA programs and activities.
First National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award presented for Agricultural Mechanics. -
FFA Band
First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention. -
Chorus and National FFA Talent program
First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held at national FFA convention.
National FFA Supply Service began operation.
Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948; so many members attended the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel was set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
First FFA Week celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday. -
Young Farmers Club
First International Exchange Program for FFA members began with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
FFA granted federal charter
A bill was passed by the 81st Congress of the United States that granted FFA a federal charter and specified that a U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor. On Aug. 30, President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740. -
New Horizons
First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine published. -
FFA postal stamp
The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to speak at a national FFA convention. -
Harry S. Truman
Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention. -
Presidential speech
Former president Harry S. Truman came and spoke -
Certificate of Appreciation
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presented NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation. -
FFA center dedication
First National FFA Center dedicated in Alexandria, Va., on land that had originally been used as the national FFA camp. -
Merge
New farmers of America and Future farmers of America join each other -
Agricultural Career Show
First FFA National Agricultural Career Show held at national FFA convention to highlight educational and career opportunities in agriculture. -
Nixon attends a convention
President Richard Nixon attended national FFA convention in Kansas City. -
FFA opened to girls
FFA is now an option for girls -
FFA Alumni
The National FFA Alumni Association chartered as an affiliate of the National FFA Organization. -
Dress code
FFA Official Dress standards created. -
Fred McClure/FFA live
Fred McClure from Texas was the first African-American elected to a national FFA office. Also, President Gerald Ford was the guest speaker at national FFA convention; the speech was carried live on network television. -
Food For America / President Carter
Food For America program launched.
Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter – a former FFA member – spoke at the national FFA convention. -
Woman in Office
Julie Smiley of Washington was the first female elected to a national office.
Alaska became the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter. -
Jimmy Carter at FFA
President Jimmy Carter addressed the 51st National FFA Convention. -
Extemporaneous Public Speaking
First Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event held and won by Christe Peterson of Wisconsin. -
Fundraising
The National FFA Foundation raised $1 million in one year for the first time. -
Female President
Jan Eberly, from California, became the first female national FFA president. -
President at FFA
Vice President George H. W. Bush spoke at national convention; Bush was elected president in 1988. -
growing diversity
Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in the industry of agriculture.
Seventh and eighth grade students permitted to become FFA members.
Agriscience Student Recognition Program introduced. -
New Horizons
The National Future Farmer magazine changed its name to FFA New Horizons. -
Active Learning Support
Partners in Active Learning Support program launched. -
Braking Barriers
Corey Flournoy, from Illinois, was the first African-American to be elected national FFA president; he was also the first urban student leader. -
FFA Advancments
H.O. Sargent Award reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters.
FFA announced its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, Ind.
FFA announced its decision to move the national FFA convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky.
The official website for FFA, www.FFA.org, debuted. -
First Agri-Entrepreneurship Awards presented.
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FFA in Indianapolis
National FFA Center in Indianapolis, Ind., dedicated July 20.
Agricultural Education National Headquarters dedicated in Alexandria, Va.
National convention held in Kansas City, Mo., for the last time.
Jose Santiago elected to national office; he was the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national officer.
The 105th Congress of the United States reviewed and passed technical amendments to Public Law 81-740 (Aug. 30, 1950). Public Law 105-225 passed on Aug. 12. -
Creed Speaking
72nd National FFA Convention held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time.
First National Creed Speaking event held. Winner: Michael Van Winkle, Arkansas. -
FFA for Middle School Students
Delegates at the national FFA convention approved the Discovery FFA Degree for middle school students.
The National FFA Archives at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis opened. -
National Star
First National Star in Agriscience named: Steven Offer, Wisconsin.
First National Star in Agricultural Placement named: Nicholas Streff, South Dakota. -
Female Star
First female Star Farmer named: Karlene Lindow, Wisconsin.
Official Dress standards revised. -
Puerto Rican President
Javier Moreno, Puerto Rico, elected national president; he became the first person with a native language other than English and the first Puerto Rican elected as national FFA president. -
Live Webcast
First live webcast of national FFA convention premiered on www.FFA.org. -
FFA supporting charity
National FFA launched Seeds of Hope, a fundraising campaign to rebuild Gulf Coast states’ agricultural education and FFA programs following Hurricane Katrina; $835,699 in donations distributed to affected programs.
The National FFA Foundation broke the $10 million mark in raising money for FFA programs and services. -
FFA Receives donations
National FFA Foundation receives first $1 million contribution from the Ford Motor Company.
79th National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Ind., for the first time, with 54,489 in attendance.
Endorsement of agricultural education’s long-range goal of 10,000 quality agricultural education programs by 2015, where every student is a member of FFA and has a relevant SAE. -
FFA Merch
The National FFA Merchandise Center opened its doors in Indianapolis, Ind.
Membership broke the half-million mark with 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters.
FFA New Horizons added online feature, www.FFAnewhorizons.org. -
Convention Rotation
FFA member networking site FFA Nation launched.
Board made the decision to rotate the national convention between Louisville and Indianapolis, beginning with Louisville in 2013. -
FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization.
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75 years of FFA
Dr. Larry Case retired after 26 years as national FFA advisor.
FFA celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of New Farmers of America during the 83rd National FFA Convention.
Six college-age FFA members traveled to Zambia for the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program.
FFA members earned a record 3,449 American FFA Degrees. -
40 years of Alumni Association
The National FFA Alumni Association celebrated its 40th anniversary.
FFA celebrated Native Americans in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education during the 84th National FFA Convention.
Steve A. Brown named national advisor.
The Agricultural Career Network launched.
