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1917 - Smith-Hughes Act
The advancement in agricultural education since the Smith – Hughes Act has bettered 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. As with every great journey, it started with that first step. 2017 was the centennial celebration of the Smith – Hughes Act, America’s first step in transforming education. -
1917 - Smith-Hughes Act
The advancement in agricultural education since the Smith – Hughes Act has bettered 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. As with every great journey, it started with that first step. 2017 was the centennial celebration of the Smith – Hughes Act, America’s first step in transforming education. -
1925 - Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV)
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. -
1926 - The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest.
The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo. -
1927 - H.O. Sargent and G.W. Owens write the first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia.
H.O. Sargent, a federal agent for agricultural education for African-Americans at the U.S. Office of Education, and G.W. Owens, a teacher-trainer at Virginia State College, write the first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year. -
1928 - Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.
Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo. First National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo.: 33 delegates from 18 states (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin) are in attendance. Leslie Applegate from New Jersey is elected first national FFA president. First sectional gathering of New Farmers of America (NFA) members is held. -
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. First National Chapter Contest is launched and sponsored by Farm Journal magazine. At the Second National FFA Convention in November, 33 states are represented by 64 delegates. -
1930 - Official FFA CreedOfficial FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, adopted.
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. -
1933 - Blue corduroy jacket adopted as Official Dress.
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. -
1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala.
New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala. Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000 members. -
1937 - National FFA Camp and Leadership Training School
During national convention, action taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C. -
1939 - First FFA-owned National Headquarters
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. -
1942 - FFA Members Join in The War Effort
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. -
1944 - FFA Members Join in the War Effort
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. -
1947
First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention. -
1948 - First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held 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 -
1949
First International Exchange Program for FFA members began with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain. -
1950 - President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740.
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. -
1952
First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine 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 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. -
1965 - New Farmers of America (NFA) merges with FFA
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA membership by more than 50,000. Delegates vote to increase FFA membership dues from 10 cents to 50 cents, allowing all members to receive the official FFA magazine, The National Future Farmer. -
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. The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference — WLC) begins. The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
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. -
1987 - Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention.
The first national television satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention airs. Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention. Bush is elected U.S. president the following year. -
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. The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced. President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message. -
1989
1989
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons. -
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 urban student leader. -
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. Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking event. -
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. The National FFA Foundation announces its first $1 million contribution from the Ford Motor Company. -
2017 - Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president.
Student membership hits an all-time high with 653,359 members in 8,568 chapters. The 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis has a record attendance of 67,006 members, advisors, supporters and guests. Breanna Holbert from California is the first African-American female to be elected national FFA president. Alumni membership hits an all-time high with 344,239 members in 2,051 chapters.
