-
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 agriculture education teacher educators Henry C.Groseclose, 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 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 agent for agriculture education for African-Americans in 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.
·First National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo:33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance.
·Leslie Applegate from New Jersey is elected First National FFA president.
·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 the FFA, and it was sponsored until 1949 by the Kansas City Star.
·First National Chapter COntest is launched and sponsored by Farm Journal magazine.
·At the Second National FFA Convention in November,33 states are represented by 64 delegates. -
1930
·Offical FFA creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, is adopted
·Edward Drace from Missouri wins the first National Public Speaking event .
·First Offical Dress uniform is adopted; dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap, and yellow tie.
·Delegates restrict FFA membership to boys only.
·First FFA Manual printed by The Farm Journal of Philadelphia. -
1931
The National FFA Radio Program on NBC is launched. -
1932
A charter is granted to Puerto Rico FFA Association. -
1933
·blue corduroy jacket is adopted as Offical 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. Rossevelt. -
1935
·NFA is founded as a national organization at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
·David Simmons of Alabama is elected as the first national NFA president
·Active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 mmbers. -
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 owned FFA-owned national headquarters; the land was once part of George Washinton´s estate.
·Identical twins Alberta 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 commitment to helping NFA members achieve success and leadership in agriculture -
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. Jimmy Doolittle and participate in the famous air raid on Tokyo.
·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. -
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.
·the first national FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award is Presented for agriculture mechanics. -
1946
Attendance at the National FFA "Victory Convention" is 12,500. Those in attendance honor the 260,450 FFA members who served and the 7,188 who paid the supreme sacrifice,losing their lives in the war. -
1947
·the national FFA band performs at the National FFA convention.
·National FFA Officers go on the first Goodwill Tour, visiting business and industrial firms and organitions. -
1948
·The first FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA Convention.
·National FFA Supply Service begins operation.
·Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948. So many members (10,000) attend the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel is set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
·First FFA Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday. -
1948
·The first FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA Convention
·National FFA Supply Service begins operation
· Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948. So many members (10,000) attend the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel is set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
·First FFA Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday. -
1948
•The first FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at the National FFA Convention
•National FFA Supply Service begins operation
•Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948. So many members (10,000) attend the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel is set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
•First FFA Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday. -
1949
·The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with the Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
1949
The first International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
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.
·The Rhode Island FFA Association, with five chapters and 82 members, is chartered—FFA is in all 48 states, plus then Territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. -
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
·The Rhode Island FFA Association, with five chapters and 82 members, is chartered—FFA is in all 48 states, plus the Territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. -
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
•The Rhode Island FFA Association, with five chapters and 82 members, is chartered—FFA is in all 48 states, plus then Territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. -
1952
·The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted
·First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published. -
1952
•The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted
•First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published. -
1952
·The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted
·First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published -
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. The first stamps are released in Kansas City, Mo., during the National FFA Convention
·President Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks at the National FFA Convention — the first U.S. president to do so — and receives an Honorary American Farmer Degree
·FFA membership reaches 363,369 members. -
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. The first stamps are released in Kansas City, Mo., during the National FFA Convention. -
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. The first stamps are released in Kansas City, Mo., during the National FFA Convention
•President Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks at the National FFA Convention — the first U.S. president to do so — and receives an Honorary American Farmer Degree
•FFA membership reaches 363,369 members. -
1955
Photo of American Star Farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine. -
1955
·Photo of American Star Farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine. -
1955
Photo of American Star Farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine. -
1957
Former President Harry S. Truman speaks during the National FFA Convention. -
1957
Former President Harry S. Truman speaks during the National FFA Convention. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
1964
FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket. -
1965
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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
·The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference —WLC) begins
·The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
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
• The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference —WLC) begins
•The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
1970
New York’s Anita Decker and New Jersey’s Patricia Krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national convention. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
1974
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television. -
1975
·Food for America program launches.
·Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains (Ga.) FFA Chapter speaks at the National FFA Convention. Carter was elected U.S. president the following year
·First FFA Student Handbook is published. -
1975
•Food for America program launches
•Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains (Ga.) 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. -
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
•President 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. -
1978
·President 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. -
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. -
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. -
1982
Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president. -
1983
The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches. -
1983
The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches. -
1984
The first FFA TV public service announcements air. -
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. -
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 year. -
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 year. -
1988
•The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture
•Seventh and eighth-grade students are permitted to become FFA members
•The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced
•President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message. -
1988
·The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture.
·Seventh and eighth-grade students are permitted to become FFA members.
·The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced
·President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message. -
1989
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons. -
1989
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons. -
1990
·The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches
·National convention delegates vote to raise the number of official voting delegates to 475 based on proportional representation.
·Delegates vote “no” to a new FFA Creed during the 63rd National FFA Convention. -
1990
•The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches •National convention delegates vote to raise the number of official voting delegates to 475 based on proportional representation.
•Delegates vote “no” to a new FFA Creed during the 63rd National FFA Convention. -
1991
FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five chapters in Micronesia, are chartered. -
1991
FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five chapters in Micronesia, are chartered. -
1991
FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five 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. -
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.
·FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va.to Indianapolis
·FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky., in 1999
·The official website for FFA, FFA.org, debuts. -
1996
•H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters.
•FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va.to Indianapolis
•FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky., in 1999
•The official website for FFA, FFA.org, debuts. -
1997
The first Agri-Entrepreneurship Award is presented. -
1998
·The National FFA Center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20
•The Agricultural Education National Headquarters is dedicated in Alexandria, Va
•The National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo., for the last time
•Jose Santiago from Puerto Rico is elected national FFA vice president. He is the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national FFA officer
•Public Law 81-740 is revised through the 105th Congress and replaced by Public Law 105-225 on Aug. 12. -
1999
•The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time with 46,918 in attendance
•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.
•Delegates at the National FFA Convention approve the Discovery FFA Degree for middle school students. -
2001
•Steven Offer from Wisconsin is named the first American Star in Agriscience
•Nicholas Streff from South Dakota is named the first American Star in Agricultural Placement. -
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. Special guest Muhammad Ali is recognized at Reflections to honor the growing diversity of the National FFA Organization.
·Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named ffamission and history
23ffamission and history American Star Farmer. Lindow is the first female to receive this award.
·Official Dress standards are revised -
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.
•“Only Blue Will Do!” launches. The campaign focuses on restoring the official FFA jacket colors to the true national blue and corn gold, as well as providing a superior-fitting jacket.
•“FFA Live!” launches on RFD-TV. -
2004
•The first live webcast of the National FFA Convention premieres on FFA.org. -
2005
•National FFA launches Seeds of Hope, a fundraising campaign to rebuild Gulf Coast states’ agricultural education and FFA programs following Hurricane Katrina; $835,699 in donations is distributed to affected programs.
•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
•The National FFA Foundation announces its first $1 million contribution from the Ford Motor Company. -
2007
•The FFA Merchandise Center opens in Indianapolis.
•FFA membership exceeds the half-million mark with 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters.
• FFA New Horizons adds online feature—FFAnewhorizons.org -
2008
•The FFA member networking site, FFA Nation (now defunct), launches.
•The FFA board of directors makes the decision to rotate the National FFA Convention between Louisville and Indianapolis, beginning with Louisville in 2013. -
2009
•FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization. -
2010
•Dr. Larry Case retires after 26 years as national FFA advisor.
•FFA celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of NFA.
•Six college-age FFA members travel to Zambia for the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program. -
2011
•The National FFA Alumni Association celebrates its 40th anniversary.
•FFA celebrates Native Americans in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education during the 84th National FFA Convention.
•Dr. Steve A. Brown is named national advisor/board chair. -
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.
•National FFA Foundation receives a record of more than $16.2 million in support of FFA.
•FFA members and supporters pack 1,005,048 meals during the national convention and expo’s FFA Rally to Fight Hunger.
•FFA celebrates Latinos/Hispanics in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education during the national convention and expo. -
2013
•Sherene Donaldson is named first female national FFA executive secretary.
•Ram Truck’s “So God Made a Farmer” Super Bowl commercial exceeds 18 million views on YouTube; company donates $1 million to FFA.
•FFA Today Radio Show debuts on SiriusXM’s RURAL RADIO channel. -
2014
•FFA members earn a record 3,765 American FFA Degrees.
•Five FFA jackets are donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
•The Give the Gift of Blue Program begins. -
2015
•FFA announces the national convention and expo to move to Indianapolis from 2016-24
•First Lady Michelle Obama gives video greetings to attendees at the national convention and expo
•Membership in the National FFA Alumni Association reaches 62,705 alumni -
2016
•National FFA Alumni membership jumps to 225,891 members, up from 62,705 in 2015.
•FFA, Discovery Education and AgCareers.com partner to create AgExplorer, a career website to help students explore unique careers in agriculture. -
2017
•Convention delegate recommendations to alter Official Dress and the opening ceremony get approval from the National FFA Board of Directors.
•Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.
•Alumni membership hits an all-time high with 344,239 members in 2,051 chapters. -
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.
•Platinum sponsor John Deere commemorates 75 years of partnership with FFA.
•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.
·H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization’s Federal Charter Amendments Act (also known as Public Law 116-7) becomes law.
·Dr. Steve Brown retires as National FFA advisor and National FFA Board of Directors Chair.
·Washington Leadership Conference celebrates its 50th anniversary.
·The National FFA Delegates amend and the National FFA Board of Directors ratifies the National FFA Constitution and Bylaws. -
2020
•Student membership hits an all-time high with 760,113 members in 8,739 chapters.
•The 10,000th jacket is gifted through the Give the Gift of Blue program.
•The First virtual National FFA Convention & Expo is held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
•The Forever Blue Network is launched.
•For the first time in 50 years, the Washington Leadership Conference is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2021
•FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni membership.