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1917- SMITH HUGHES ACT
The advancement in agricultural education since the Smith Hughes Act has not just helped the quality of life not just for America’s rural and farm families but for everyone across the globe who is fed and clothed by the American Farmer. -
1925- Future Farmers of Virginia
Henry Groseclose, Harry Sanders, Walter S. Newman and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys -
1926-The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest.
The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show -
1928 - Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.
Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 20. First National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo.: 33 delegates from 18 states are in attendance. -
1929 - National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors.
National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors. Carlton Patton from Arkansas is named the first Star Farmer of America. This is one of the first awards created by FFA, and it was sponsored until 1949 by the Kansas City Star. -
1933 - Blue corduroy jacket adopted as Official Dress
Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as Official Dress. A group of FFA officers and members make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., where they are greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.
NFA is founded as a national organization at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. David Simmons of Alabama is elected as the first national NFA president. Active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 members. -
1944 - FFA Members Join in the War Effort
138,548 FFA members serve in the Armed Services in World War II and the first National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award was presented for agricultural mechanics. -
1950 - President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740.
The 81st U.S. Congress passes a bill that grants a federal charter to Future Farmers of America. President Harry S. Truman signs the bill on Aug. 30, and it becomes Public Law 81-740. -
1952- Code of Ethics is adopted
The FFA Code of Ethics is adopted. First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published. -
1953 - The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.
The U.S. Post Office Department issues a special 3-cent postage stamp—the cost of mailing a first-class letter then—to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA. -
1965 - New Farmers of America (NFA) merges with FFA
Due to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which mandated the end of segregation, NFA merges with FFA, resulting in the end of NFA after 30 years of providing agricultural leadership development for rural Black male youth. -
1969 - The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference — WLC) begins.
FFA opens membership to females, making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels. Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agribusiness. -
1971 - The National FFA Alumni Association is established.
The National FFA Alumni Association is established. The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins. -
1982 - First Female National FFA President
Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president. -
1988 - President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.
The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture. Seventh and eighth grade students are permitted to become FFA members. -
1994 - Corey Flournoy, Illinois is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president.
Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first national president from an urban environment. -
1999 - The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky.
The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time, with 46,918 in attendance. -
2006 - The 79th National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time
The 79th National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time, with 54,589 in attendance. -
2017 - Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.
Convention delegate recommendations to alter Official Dress and the opening ceremony get approval from the National FFA Board of Directors. -
2020 - The 10,000th jacket is gifted through the Give the Gift of Blue program.
Student membership hits an all-time high with 760,113 members in 8,739 chapters. The 10,000th jacket is gifted through the Give the Gift of Blue program. -
2021 - The 10,000th jacket is gifted through the Give the Gift of Blue program.
FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni membership.Vice President Kamala Harris gives videotaped greetings at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo.