FFA history

  • 1917

    The smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act, (both senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia) establishes vocational agriculture courses.
  • 1925

    Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magil organize 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.
  • 1927

    H.O. Sargent, a federal for agriculture education for African American's at the U.S. office of education, and G.W. Owens, a teacher-trainer at Virginia State College.
  • 1928

    Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.
    First National FFA convention is held in states Kansas city Mo.33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance.
  • 1929

    National Blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors. Carlton Patton from Arkansas is named the first Star Farmer of America.
  • 1930

    Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, is adopted. Edward Drace from Missouri wins the first National Public Speaking event.
  • 1931

    The National FFA radio Program on NBC's is launched.
  • 1932

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

    Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as Official Dress.
  • 1935

    NFA is founded as a national organization at the Tuskegee institute in Albama.
  • 1937

    During the National FFA convention, action is taken to establish a national FFA camp.
  • 1939

    28.5 acres of land is purchased near Alexandria, VA, for the first FFA-owned national headquarters, the land was once part of Gorge Washington's estate.
  • 1942

    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.
  • 1944

    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 WWll.
  • 1947

    The first National FFA band performs at the National FFA convention.
  • 1948

    The first FFA chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA convention.
  • 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.
  • 1952

    The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted.
  • 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. 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. Trauman speaks during the National FFA convention
  • 1958

    The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presents NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation.
  • 1959

    The First National FFA center is dedicated in Alexandria, VA., on land that was once part of George Washington's estate.
  • 1964

    FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket.
  • 1965

    NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000.
  • 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

    FFA official Dress standards are created.
  • 1974

    President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA convention.
  • 1975

    Food for America program launches.
  • 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 the U.S. president.
  • 1979

    Christe Peterson from Wisconsin wins the first Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event.
  • 1980

    The National FFA foundation raises $1million 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

    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 FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture.
  • 1989

    The National Future Farmers magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons.
  • 1990

    The partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launces.
  • 1991

    FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five chapters in Micronesia are charted.
  • 1994

    Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African-American to be elected National FFA president; he is also the first urban teacher.
  • 1996

    H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters.
  • 1997

    The first Agri-Entrepreneurship Award is presnted.
  • 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 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.
  • 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 premiers on FFA.org.
  • 2005

    National FFA launches seeds of hope, a fundraising campaign to rebuild gulf coast state's agricultural education.
  • 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 member networking site, FFA Nation, launches.
  • 2009

    FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization.
  • 2010

    Dr. Larray's case retires after 26 years as national FFA advisor.
  • 2011

    The National Alumni Association celebrates its 40th anniversary.
  • 2012

    Patrick Gottsch 1 million dollars on behalf of RFD-TV to the National FFA organization.
  • 2013

    Shrene Donalds is named the 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 225,819 members, up from 62,705 in 2015.
  • 2017

    Convention delegates recommendations to alter offical dress.
  • 2018

    The board of directors votes to rename the National FFA Alumni Association to National FFA
  • 2019

    student membership hits an all-time high with 700,170 members.