FFA History

What is the FFA?

• The FFA is a dynamic youth organization within agriculture education that prepares students for premier , , and .

• FFA was created in as the Future Farmers of America but changed its name the National FFA Organization in to reflect the growing diversity of agriculture.

Smith-Hughes Act

• The original idea for the organization of FFA developed after courses in vocational agriculture were established by the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917

1920’s

• 1925– Virginia Tech ag education teacher organizes

the Future Farmers of Virginia. The FFV serves as the model for the FFA

• 1928– Future Farmers of America is established at the Baltimore Hotel in

Kansas city, Mo.– First National FFA Convention held

• 33 delegates from 18 states

• 1929– National blue and corn gold adopted as official colors– Carlton Patton named first Star Farmer of America

1930’s

• 1930 – Official FFA Creed adopted at the 3rd national convention

• Written by E.M. Tiffany

– First official dress adopted• Dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap, and yellow tie

– Delegates vote to open membership to boys only• 1933

– Blue corduroy jacked adopted as official dress• 1935

– New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.• Organization created for African Americans.

– Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000• 1939

– 28.5 acres of land purchased for the first FFA-owned national headquarters• Located on George Washington’s estate

1940’s

• 1944– Future Farmers of America Foundation formed– 138,548 FFA members were serving Armed Services in WWII

• 1947– First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention

• 1948– First National FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held– National FFA Supply Service began operation

• Supplies members with Official Jacket and other FFA supplies

1950’s

• 1950– FFA granted a Federal Chapter, Public Law 740, to

FFA• 1952

– First issue of the National FFA magazine was printed• 1953

– U.S. Post Office issued a stamp to commemorate 25th anniversary of FFA

1960’s

• 1965– New Farmers of America merges with the FFA

• 1969– FFA opens membership to girls

1970’s

• 1973– FFA Official Dress standards created

• 1974– Fred McClure from Texas is first African-American

elected to a national FFA office

1980’s

• 1982– Jan Eberly of California becomes first female

national FFA president• 1988

– Future Farmers of America changes its name to National FFA Organization to reflect growing diversity in the industry of agriculture

1990’s

• 1994– Corey Flournoy of Illinios is the first African-

American elected as national FFA president• 1996

– FFA announces to move National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, Ind.

– Official website, www.FFA.org, launches

2000’s

• 2002– First female Star Farmer named

• Karlene Lindow of Wisconsin– Official dress standards revised

• 2004– First live webcast of national FFA convention premieres on

www.FFA.org

• 2007– FFA Merchandise Center opens its doors– FFA membership breaks half-million mark for first time

• 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters

The FFA’s Purpose

• Leadership• Scholarship• Improved Agriculture• Cooperation• Citizenship

• Recreation• Patriotism• Service• Character• Thrift

The FFA stresses three closely related areas: leadership, personal growth, and career success.

The purpose of the FFA is to develop:

The FFA Mission

• FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

Organizational Structure

You

Local C hapter

S tate Association

Nationa l O rganization