-
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 teachers educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman and Edmund C. Magill 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 National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo. -
1927
H.O. Sargent, a federal agent 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 Farmers of Virginia, 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. -
1929
National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors. -
1930
Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, is adopted -
1931
The National FFA Radio Program on NBC´s 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 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
During World War ll, delegates revise FFA membership rules so time served in the armed forces will not count in determining a member´s period of eligibility. -
1944
138,548 FFA members serve in the Armed Services in Worl War ll. -
1946
Attendance at the National FFA ¨Victory Convection¨ is 12,500. Those in attendance honor in 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. -
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 Rhode Island FFA Association, with five chapters and 82 members, is charted-FFA is in all 48 states, plus the Territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. -
1952
The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted. -
1953
FFA membership reaches 363,369 members. -
1955
Photo of America 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
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. -
1966
First FFA National Agricultural Carrer 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
Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agribusiness. -
1970
New Yorkś Anita Decker and New Jersey´s Patrica Krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national convention. -
1971
The National FFA Alumni Association is established. -
1973
FFA Offical Dress standards are created. -
1974
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television. -
1975
Food for America program launches. -
1976
Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter. -
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 Elbery 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 president 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 agricultual. -
1989
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizions. -
1990
The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches. -
1991
FFA Chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, along with 5 chapters in Micronesia, are charterd. -
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
Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking event. -
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
Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American Star Farmer. Lindow is the first female to receive this award. -
2003
“FFA Live!” launches on RFD-TV. -
2004
The first live webcast of the National FFA Convention premieres on FFA.org. -
2005
The National FFA Foundation tops the $10 million mark in raising money in one year for FFA programs and services. -
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 (now defunct), launches. -
2009
FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization. -
2010
FFA celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of NFA. -
2011
The National FFA Alumni Association celebrates its 40th anniversary. -
2012
National FFA Foundation receives a record of more than $16.2 million in support of FFA. -
2013
FFA Today Radio Show debuts on SiriusXM’s RURAL RADIO channel. -
2014
The Give the Gift of Blue Program begins. -
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
Alumni membership hits an all-time high with 344,239 members in 2,051 chapters. -
2018
FFA announces that the National FFA Convention & Expo will stay in Indianapolis through 2031. -
2019
FFA celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization. -
2020
The First virtual National FFA Convention & Expo is held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2021
FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni membership.