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1917 (Smith Hughes Act)
This was an advancement in Agricultural education. This improved the lives of rural farm families. -
1925 (Future Farmers of Virginia)
Virginia Tech ag. education teacher Henry Groseclose, Harry Sanders, Walter S. Newman and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys in agriculture classes. This eventually served as the model for FFA. -
1926 (The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest)
The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest. This took play at the American Royal Livestock and horse judging contest in Kansas City. -
1927 (H.O. Sargent and G.W. Owens write the first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia)
The first set of bylaws are written for the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-Americans ag. students. -
1928 (FFA is established in Kansas City MO.)
Representatives from 18 states show up to the first FFA meeting. Leslie Appleton is elected the first FFA President. -
1929 (FFA colors are adopted)
National Blue and Corn Gold are adopted as the official colors of FFA. The second national convention is held and 33 states are represented. -
1930 (Official FFA Creed is written)
Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, adopted. First National Public Speaking event held. Winner: Edward Drace, Missouri. First Official Dress uniform adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap and yellow tie. Delegates restricted membership to boys only. First Official FFA Manual printed. -
1933 (Adopted official dress)
Blue corduroy jacket adopted as Official Dress. A group of FFA officers and members made a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., where they were greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
1935 (New Farmers of America is Founded)
New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala. Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000 members. To learn more about NFA, visit the New Farmers of America Records webpage in the Philanthropy Archives of the IUPUI library. An NFA digital archive is also available. The North Carolina FFA Association has a sizeable collection of historical NFA memorabilia as well. -
1937 (National FFA Camp and Leadership School)
During national convention, action taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C. -
1939 (First FFA Headquarters)
28.5 acres of land purchased near Alexandria, Va., for the first FFA-owned national headquarters; the land was part of George Washington’s estate. Identical twins Albert and Arthur Lacy of Hondo, Texas, become the only members ever to share the title of Star Farmer of America. The “H.O. Sargent Trophy Award” was created to honor H.O. Sargent’s commitment to helping NFA members achieve success and leadership in agriculture. -
1942 (FFA Members Join WWI)
During World War II, when tens of thousands of FFA members served in the armed services, national FFA conventions were streamlined events where only delegates and award winners attend. In 1942, just 217 people attended the convention. -
1944 (1942 Continued)
Future Farmers of America Foundation formed to raise money from business, industry, government, individuals and sponsors for FFA programs and activities. 138,548 FFA members were serving in the Armed Services in World War II. First National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award presented for Agricultural Mechanics. -
1947 (FFA Band)
First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention. -
1948 (First FFA Chorus and Talent Show)
First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held at national FFA convention. National FFA Supply Service began operation. Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948; so many members attended the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel was set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. First FFA Week celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday. -
1949
First International Exchange Program for FFA members began with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
1950 (President Gets Involved)
A bill was passed by the 81st Congress of the United States that granted FFA a federal charter and specified that a U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor. On Aug. 30, President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740. -
1952
First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine published. -
1953 (USPOD)
The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to speak at a national FFA convention. -
1957 (Another President)
Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention. -
1958
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presented NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation. -
1959 (National FFA Center is Dedicated)
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 jacket -
1965 (NFA and FFA merge)
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000. Delegates vote to increase FFA membership dues from 10 cents to 50 cents, allowing all members to receive the official FFA magazine, The National Future Farmer. -
1966 (First FFA National Ag. Career show
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 (President Nixon speaks at National Convention)
Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon speaks at the National FFA Convention. Nixon is elected U.S. president the following month. -
1969 (Washington D.C leadership conference)
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 (First Female Delegates)
New York’s Anita Decker and New Jersey’s Patricia Krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national convention. -
1971 (FFA Alumni)
The National FFA Alumni Association is established. The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins. -
1982 (First Female President)
First Female FFA President -
1988 (Ronald Regan Speaks)
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. -
1994 (First African-American FFA President)
Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first urban student leader. -
1999 (New Convention Location)
FFA National Convention is held in Louisville Kentucky. -
2006 (FFA Convention is held in Indi)
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. -
2017 (First African-American Female President)
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.