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Smith-Hughes Act
The Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act, passed by the U.S. Congress, provided funding for vocational agriculture courses, sponsors of the bill-sen. Hoke smith and Rep. Dudley Hughes-both represented Georgia in congress. -
Creation Of FFA
Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry Groseclose, Harry Sanders, Walter S. Newman and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys in agriculture classes. The FFV served as the model for the Future Farmers of America. -
National Congress Of Vocational Agriculture
The American Royal Livestock Show invited vocational agriculture students to participate in national livestock judging contests in Kansas City, Mo. -
Constitution for African Americans
G.W. Owens, teacher-trainer at Virginia State College, and Dr. H.O. Sargent, federal agent for agricultural education for African-Americans, U.S. Office of Education, wrote the first constitution and bylaws of the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agriculture students. -
First Annual Congress
Future Farmers of America established in Kansas City, Mo.
First National FFA Convention held in Kansas City: 33 delegates from 18 states in attendance.
Leslie Applegate of New Jersey selected as the first national FFA president.
First sectional gathering of New Farmers of America members held. -
Official FFA
National blue and corn gold adopted as official colors.
Carlton Patton of Arkansas named first Star Farmer of America, one of the first awards created by FFA.
At the Second National FFA Convention in November 1929, 33 states represented by 64 delegates.
Thirty-five state associations with approximately 1,500 chapters and 30,000 members affiliated with the national organization. -
The Creed
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. -
Something New
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. -
New Members
New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.
Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000 members. -
FFA convention
During national convention, action taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C. -
New land
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. -
FFA members in the war
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. -
FFA formed to raise money for FFA programs
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. -
FFA Convention
First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention. -
An increase in memders
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. -
FFA's first international exchange
First International Exchange Program for FFA members began with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
A department of education staff member became a FFA advisory
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 advisory. On Aug. 30, President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740. -
FFA magazine
First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine published. -
A special stamp
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. -
Harry S. spoke at conventions
Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention. -
paralysis
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presented NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation.
