FFA History

  • 1976

    Julie Smiley from WA is named the first female to hold national office.
    Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter.
  • 1988

    Future Farmers of American changes its name to the National FFA organizations. To reflect the growing diversity in the ag industry.
    7th and 8th grade students are allowed to become FFA members.
  • 1996

    The official website for the FFA debuts. www.ffa.org
  • 1999

    72nd National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky. First national creed speaking event held. Michael Von Winkle of the Arkansas FFA Assoc. Wins
  • 2003

    "FFA Live" is launched on RFD TV
  • 2004

    First live webcast from ffa.org of the 77th annual National FFA Convention.
  • 2006

    The 79th National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time, with 54,589 in attendance. The FFA Foundation announces its first $1 million contribution to 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.
  • 2009

    FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization.
  • 2014

    5 FFA jackets are added to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of
    American History.
  • 2019

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