FFA History

What is the FFA? The FFA is a dynamic youth organization within agriculture education that prepares students for premier , , and . FFA was created in as the Future Farmers of America but changed its name the National FFA Organization in to reflect the growing diversity of agriculture.

Smith-Hughes Act The original idea for the organization of FFA developed after courses in vocational agriculture were established by the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917

1920’s 1925 Virginia Tech ag education teacher organizes the Future Farmers of Virginia. The FFV serves as the model for the FFA 1928 Future Farmers of America is established at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas city, Mo. First National FFA Convention held 33 delegates from 18 states 1929 National blue and corn gold adopted as official colors Carlton Patton named first Star Farmer of America

1930’s 1930 First official dress adopted Official FFA Creed adopted at the 3rd national convention Written by E.M. Tiffany First official dress adopted Dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap, and yellow tie Delegates vote to open membership to boys only 1933 Blue corduroy jacked adopted as official dress 1935 New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala. Organization created for African Americans. Active FFA membership exceeded 100,000 1939 28.5 acres of land purchased for the first FFA-owned national headquarters Located on George Washington’s estate

1940’s 1944 1947 1948 Future Farmers of America Foundation formed 138,548 FFA members were serving Armed Services in WWII 1947 First National FFA Band performed at national FFA convention 1948 First National FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held National FFA Supply Service began operation Supplies members with Official Jacket and other FFA supplies

1950’s 1950 FFA granted a Federal Chapter, Public Law 740, to FFA 1952 First issue of the National FFA magazine was printed 1953 U.S. Post Office issued a stamp to commemorate 25th anniversary of FFA

1960’s 1965 1969 New Farmers of America merges with the FFA FFA opens membership to girls

1970’s 1973 1974 FFA Official Dress standards created Fred McClure from Texas is first African-American elected to a national FFA office

1980’s 1982 Jan Eberly of California becomes first female national FFA president 1988 Future Farmers of America changes its name to National FFA Organization to reflect growing diversity in the industry of agriculture

1990’s 1994 Corey Flournoy of Illinios is the first African-American elected as national FFA president 1996 FFA announces to move National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, Ind. Official website, www.FFA.org, launches

2000’s 2002 2004 2007 First female Star Farmer named Karlene Lindow of Wisconsin Official dress standards revised 2004 First live webcast of national FFA convention premieres on www.FFA.org 2007 FFA Merchandise Center opens its doors FFA membership breaks half-million mark for first time 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters

The FFA’s Purpose The purpose of the FFA is to develop: Leadership Scholarship Improved Agriculture Cooperation Citizenship Recreation Patriotism Service Character Thrift The FFA stresses three closely related areas: leadership, personal growth, and career success.

The FFA Mission FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

Organizational Structure