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Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act
U.S. Congress provided funding for vocational agriculture courses. -
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. -
The American Royal Livestock Show
invited vocational agriculture students to participate in national livestock judging contests in Kansas City, Mo. -
G.W. Owens
A 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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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 Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.
Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000 members. -
The National Convention
During national convention, action taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C. -
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. -
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. -
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 band preformed
First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention. -
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. -
First International Exchange Program for FFA members began with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.
First International Exchange Program for FFA members began with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
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. -
First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine published.
First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine published. -
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. -
Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention.Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention.
Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention. -
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presented NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation.
The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presented NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation. -
First National FFA Center dedicated in Alexandria, Va., on land that had originally been used as the national FFA camp.
First National FFA Center dedicated in Alexandria, Va., on land that had originally been used as the national FFA camp. -
New Farmers of America merged with the Future Farmers of America.
New Farmers of America merged with the Future Farmers of America. -
First FFA National Agricultural Career Show
held at national FFA convention to highlight educational and career opportunities in agriculture. -
President Richard Nixon
President Richard Nixon attended national FFA convention in Kansas City -
FFA opened membership to girls
making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels.
First National Star in Agribusiness, Ken Dunagan from Arizona, named.
Washington Conference (now called the Washington Leadership Conference) began.
Delegate body of the national FFA convention established alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
The National FFA Alumni Association
chartered as an affiliate of the National FFA Organization. -
FFA Official Dress standards created.
FFA Official Dress standards created. -
Fred McClure
Fred McClure from Texas was the first African-American elected to a national FFA office.
President Gerald Ford was the guest speaker at national FFA convention; the speech was carried live on network television. -
Food For America program launched.
Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter – a former FFA member – spoke at the national FFA convention. -
Julie Smiley of Washington was the first female elected to a national office.
Alaska became the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter. -
President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter addressed the 51st National FFA Convention. -
First Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event
First Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event held and won by Christe Peterson of Wisconsin. -
The National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation raised $1 million in one year for the first time. -
Jan Eberly
Jan Eberly, from California, became the first female national FFA president. -
Vice President George H. W. Bush
Vice President George H. W. Bush spoke at national convention; Bush was elected president in 1988. -
Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization
Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in the industry of agriculture.
Seventh and eighth grade students permitted to become FFA members.
Agriscience Student Recognition Program introduced. -
The National Future Farmer magazine
The National Future Farmer magazine changed its name to FFA New Horizons. -
Partners
Partners in Active Learning Support program launched. -
Chapters in the Virgin Islands and Guam
Chapters in the Virgin Islands and Guam, along with five chapters in Micronesia, chartered. -
Corey Flournoy
Corey Flournoy, from Illinois, was the first African-American to be elected national FFA president; he was also the first urban student leader. -
H.O. Sargent Award reinstated
promoting diversity among chapters.
FFA announced its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, Ind.
FFA announced its decision to move the national FFA convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky.
The official website for FFA, www.FFA.org, debuted. -
First Agri-Entrepreneurship
First Agri-Entrepreneurship Awards presented.
