F.F.A. History

By Clockwork Angel

  • 1935

    1935
    1. New Farmers of America established.
    2. Organization of African American young men.
    3. Active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 members.

  • 1944

    1944
    1. Future Farmers of America is formed in Washington D.C.
    2. 138,548 FFA members served in WWII.
    3. First National FFA Agriculture Awards presented.

  • 1948

    1948
    1. First National FFA chorus performed.
    2. First National FFA talent contest at convention.
    3. Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300.

  • 1952

    1952
    1. Code of Ethics adopted.
    2. The 1st issue of the National Future Farmer Magazine was published.

  • 1969

    1969
    1. FFA opens membership opens to girls.
    2. Washington Conference begins (WLC)

  • 1973

    1973
    Official FFA dress code created.

  • 1974

    1974
    Fred McClure from the Texas FFA Association is named the first African-American elected to National FFA Office.

  • 1976

    1976
    1. Julie Smiley from Washington is named the first female to hold national office.
    2. Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to get a national charter.

  • 1999

    1999
    1. 72nd National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Kentucky.
    2. First national creed speaking event is held. Micheal Von Winkle of the Arkansas FFA Association won.

  • 2004

    2004
    First live webcast from ffa.org of the 77th annual National FFA Convention.

  • 2005

    2005
    1. National FFA launches Seeds of Hope. This is a fundraising campaign to rebuild agriculture education and FFA programs in the states of the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.
    2. FFA foundation breaks the $10 million mark in raising money for FFA programs and services.

  • 2009

    2009
    FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization.

  • 2014

    2014
    Five FFA jackets are added to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

  • 2019

    2019
    Student membership hits all-time high with 700,170 members in 8,612 chapters.