FFA Timeline

  • 1917

    The smith huges national vocational art established agiculture coureses and dudley huges and hoke smith were from georgia
  • 1925

    the future farmers of Virginia was made and henery c helped
  • 1926

    first-ever national life stock judging contest and royal livestock and horse show was in Kansas city mo
  • 1927

    AN African american Ho Sargent taught an virginia state college
  • 1928

    Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas city First sectional gathering of New Farmers of America NFA members is held
  • 1929

    National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors Carlton Patton from Arkansas is named the first Star Farmer of America This is one of the first awards created by FFA, and it
  • 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 is launched.
  • 1932

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

    Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as Official Dress. A group of FFA officers and members make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C where they are greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  • 1935

    David Simmons of Alabama is elected as the first national NFA president Active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 members.
  • 1937

    During the National FFA Convention, action is taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, 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. The H.O. Sargent Trophy Award is created to honor H.O. Sargent’s commitment to helping NFA members achieve success and leadership in agriculture.
  • 1942

    During World War II, delegates revise FFA membership rules so time served in the armed forces will not count in determining a member’s period of eligibility. 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. 138,548 FFA members serve in the Armed Services in World War II.
  • 1947

    The first National FFA Band performs at the National FFA Convention. National FFA Officers go on the first Goodwill Tour, visiting business and industrial firms and organizations.
  • 1948

    The first FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA Convention. National FFA Supply Service begins operation.
  • 1949

    The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.
  • 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. 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 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. Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agribusiness.
  • 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. The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins.
  • 1973

    FFA Official Dress standards are created. 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

    Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains FFA Chapter, speaks at the National FFA Convention. Carter was elected U.S. president the following year. 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. Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter.
  • 1978

    resident Jimmy Carter speaks at the 51st National FFA Convention again, this time as a U.S. president. The commemorative marker noting the site of the organization’s founding is unveiled in Kansas City, Mo.
  • 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

    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. Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention. Bush is elected U.S. president the following
  • 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.