FFA timeline

  • 1917- Smith-Hughes Act

    1917- Smith-Hughes Act
    advancement in agricultural has better quality of life not just for Americans but also from farmers families but for every one accost the globe is fed and clothed by the American farmer
  • 1925 future farmers of virginia

    1925 future farmers of virginia
    Virginia tech agriculture educators C. Magill organized the future farmers of Virginia for agriculture classes
  • 1926 The First National Livestock Judging Contest.

    1926  The First National  Livestock  Judging Contest.
    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.
  • 1927 first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia.

    1927 first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia.
    H.O. Sargent, a federal agent for agricultural education 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.

    1928 Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.
    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 (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin) 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.

    1929 National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors.
    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 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.
  • 1933 Blue corduroy jacket adopted as Official Dress.

    1933  Blue corduroy jacket adopted as 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
  • 1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.

    1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.
    New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala. Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000 members.
  • 1942 - FFA Members Join in The War Effort

    1942 - FFA Members Join in The War Effort
    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 - FFA Members Join in the War Effort

    1944 - FFA Members Join in the War Effort
    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.
  • 1950 - President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public law

    1950 - President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public law
    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

    1952
    First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine published.
  • 1953 - The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.

    1953 - The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.
    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.
  • 1965 - New Farmers of America (NFA) merges with FFA

    1965 - New Farmers of America (NFA) merges with FFA
    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.
  • 1969 - The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference — WLC) begins.

    1969 - The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference — WLC) begins.
    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.
  • 1971 - The National FFA Alumni Association is established.

    1971 - The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
    The National FFA Alumni Association is established. The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins.
  • 1982 - First Female National FFA President1982

    1982 - First Female National FFA President1982
    Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president.
  • 1988 - President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.

    1988 - President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.
    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 - Corey Flournoy, Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president.

    1994 - Corey Flournoy, Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president.
    Corey Floury from Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first urban student leader.
  • 1999 - The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky.

    1999 - The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky.
    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.
  • 2006 - The 79th National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time

    2006 - The 79th National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time
    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 - Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.

    2017 - Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.
    Student membership hits an all-time high with 653,359 members in 8,568 chapters. Convention delegate recommendations to alter Official Dress and the opening ceremony get approval from the National FFA Board of Directors. The 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis has a record attendance of 67,006 members, advisors, supporters and guests. Breanna Hobert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.
  • 2018

    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.