-
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 and 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 was in Kansas City, MO -
1927
H.O Sargent and G.W Owens write the first constitution and bylaws for the new Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agricultural students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year -
1928
The First National FFA convention is held in Kansas City, MO.: 33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance. -
1929
National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors -
1930
official FFA creed, written by E.M tiffany is adopted.The first official uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue or yellow tie. -
1931
The National FFA Radio Programs on NBC is lanched. -
1932
A Charter is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA association. -
1933
Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as official Dress. -
1934
28.5 acres of land is purchased near Alexandria, VA for the first FFA-owned national headquarters; the land was once part of George Washington's estate. -
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. -
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 Alexandria,Va.,for the first FFA-owned national headquarters;the land was once part of George Washington estate. -
1942
During the war years, national conventions are streamlined events, attended only by delegates and awards winners. In 1942, just 217 people attend the convention. -
1944
The future farmers of America foundation are formed in Washington D.C to raise money for FFA programs and activities. -
1946
attendance at the National FFA victory convection is 12,500. Those in attendance honor the 260,450 FFA members who serve 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
National FFA supply service begins operation. -
1949
The first International Exchange Program for FFA member begins with young farmers club of great Britain -
1950
The Rhode island FFA Association with 5 chapters and 82 members. -
1952
The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted. -
1953
FFA membership reaches 363,369 members. -
1955
Photo of American stat farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time Magazine. -
1957
Former President Harry S.Truman speaks during the national FFA convection. -
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-million FFA jacket. -
1965
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000. -
1966
The first FFA National Ag career show (now called expo) is held at the National FFA Convention to highlights educational and career opportunities in agriculture -
1967
Elmer J. Johnson helps develop the FFA archives at the National FFA center. -
1968
Nixon speaks at the National FFA convection Nixon is elected U.S president the following month. -
1969
Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American star in Agribusiness. -
1970
New York Anita decker and new jerseys Patricia Krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national convection. -
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
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 the 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 Cail 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 Stevan McKay from Booneville, Calif. -
1987
The First national tv satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention airs. -
1988
The future farmers of America change 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 partner's active learning support program launches. -
1991
FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin islands and Guam, along with 5 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
Micheal Van Winkle wins the first Naiional Creed speaking event. -
2000
The national FFA archives at Indiana university-Purdue university Indianapolis opens. -
2001
Steven Offer was named the first American star in AGriscience. -
2002
Karlene Lindow is named American Star farmer, 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 of FFA programs and service. -
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 idianapolis. -
2008
The FFA member networking site,FFA nation launches. -
2009
FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization. -
2010
Dr. Larry case retires after 25 years as national FFA advisor. -
2011
The NAtional FFA alumni Association celebrates its 40 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
Ram Truck’s “So God Made a Farmer” Super Bowl commercial exceeds 18 million views on YouTube; company donates $1 million to FFA. -
2014
FFA members earn a record 3,765 American FFA Degrees. -
2015
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. -
2017
Convention delegate 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. -
2020
The 10,000th jacket is gifted through the Give the Gift of Blue program. -
2021
FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni membership.