1. The FFA: The Past, Present and You
Introduction to Agriculture
INTEREST APPROACH. Use an interest approach that will prepare the students for the lesson. Teachers often develop approaches for their unique class and student situations. A possible approach is included here. Have the students visit the National FFA Organization web site at ( for a brief introduction to the FFA. Have a discussion among your students as to the purpose of youth organizations in schools. Discuss the organizations available to your students that are agricultural related. Have students research and list well-known Americans who were FFA members.

2. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
1. Explain how, when, and why the FFA was organized
2 Explain the mission and strategies, colors, motto, salute, parts of the emblem, and the organizational structure of the FFA.
3. Recite and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed.
4. Explain the purpose of a Program of Activities and its committee structure.
ILLINOIS STATE GOAL AND LEARNING STANDARD. This lesson is correlated to the following State Goal and Learning Standard:
State Goal 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
Learning Standard A: Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.
Learning Benchmark 4a: Analyze and report historical events to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

3. 5. List and explain the various FFA Degrees.
6. List the four types of membership.
7. Identify correct Official Dress (O.D.) for FFA members.
8. Explain the rules of wearing the FFA jacket.

4. FFA History 1917 Congress passed Smith-Hughes Act
established agriculture classes
1920’s Future Farmers of Virginia formed
Henry Groseclose-”Father of the FFA”
1926 American Royal in Kansas City invited vocational agriculture students to judge livestock

5. FFA History 1928 Walt Disney draws Mickey Mouse for Kansas City Star
1928 1st National Convention in Kansas City’s Baltimore Hotel
1st President - Leslie Applegate
1st Nat. Advisor - Dr. C.H. Lane
Dues set at $0.10
1929 Carton Patton 1st American Star Farmer
National Blue and Corn Gold official colors

6. FFA History 1930 FFA Creed Adopted written by E.M. Tiffany
3rd national convention
revised in 1965, 1987, and 1990
1933 FFA Jacket adopted as official dress

7. FFA History
1939 National FFA Center located on part of the original estate of George Washington in Alexandria, Virginia
1944 National FFA Foundation Formed
non-profit fundraising part of FFA
private donations fund awards
Foundation raises $6 million annually

8. FFA History 1947 National FFA Band 1948 National FFA Chorus
1948 National FFA Supply Service Formed
Official Jackets
Awards
Anything FFA

9. FFA History 1950 Public Law 740 granted National FFA a Federal Charter
FFA recognized as “intracurricular” part of the agriculture education program
1952 ‘National Future Farmer magazine’ published
now called FFA New Horizon
1952 Code of Ethics adopted

10. FFA History
1955 FFA in Japan, Brazil, Columbia, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Thailand
1955 International Student exchange programs begun can now travel to 30 countries
1965 NFA merged with FFA
NFA (New Farmers) African American

11. FFA History 1969 Girls admitted to FFA 1969 First Star Agribusinessman
1971 National FFA Alumni founded
support agriculture education
1988 Name changed to National FFA Organization

12. 1988 Name of the organization was changed to National FFA Organization.
1989 Name of The National Future Farmer magazine was changed to New Horizons.
1999 National FFA Center moved from Alexandria, VA, to Indianapolis, IN.
1999 The National FFA Convention was moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

13. Components of Agricultural Education
FFA
SAEP
Classroom

14. The FFA Purpose
The purpose of the FFA is to develop:
• Recreation
• Patriotism
• Service
• Character
• Thrift
• Leadership
• Scholarship
• Improved Agriculture
• Cooperation
• Citizenship
Anticipated Problem: What are the mission and strategies, colors, motto, parts of the emblem, and organizational structure of the FFA?
II. The FFA was organized to address specific objectives outlined in the organization’s mission and strategies. The 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.
A. The purpose of the FFA is to help students develop their full potential through agricultural education classes.
1. The FFA is an integral part of classroom/laboratory instruction.
2. Many of these characteristics are developed through the available Career Development Activities.
B. The FFA organizational structure has three levels: local, state, and national.
1. Some states may also have districts and sections.
2. Each level has student officer teams, an advisor, and a group of members whom they represent.
3. Competition at contests and awards are structured the same way.
The FFA stresses three closely related areas: leadership, personal growth, and career success.

15. 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.

16. Organizational Structure

17. The FFA Degree Ladder Discovery Degree Greenhand Degree
Chapter FFA Degree
State FFA Degree
American FFA Degree

18. Types of Membership Active Collegiate Alumni Honorary
enrolled in ag class, dues paid
Collegiate
2 or 4 year college
Alumni
former members or interested people
Honorary
people who support FFA

19. What are the parts of the FFA Emblem?

20. Cross Section of the Ear of Corn
Corn is a symbol of unity because it is native to America and is grown in every state.

21. The Rising Sun
The Rising Sun symbolizes progress in agriculture and the confidence FFA members have in the future.

22. The Eagle
The eagle is a reminder of our freedom and ability to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture

23. The Owl
The owl represents knowledge and wisdom

24. The Plow
The plow is the symbol of labor and tillage of the soil

25. The Words
FFA is an important part of the Agriculture Education Program

26. The Emblem Put it all together
Trademark of the National FFA Organization
Be Proud Of It

27. FFA Colors
National Blue
Corn Gold

28. Learning to Do Doing to Learn Earning to Live Living to Serve
FFA Motto
Learning to Do
Doing to Learn
Earning to Live
Living to Serve

29. FFA Salute
Pledge of Allegiance

30. Official Dress Girls black skirt or slacks white blouse
official blue scarf
black shoes
official jacket zipped to the top

31. Official Dress Boys black slacks white shirt official FFA tie
black shoes
black socks
official jacket zipped to the top

32. Proper Use of the FFA Jacket
Only worn by members
Kept clean and neat
Only emblems, state, chapter, name and one office or honor
Worn on official occasions zipped up, collar down, cuffs buttoned
Only worn to places appropriate for members to visit

33. Proper Use of the FFA Jacket
School letters etc. not worn on jacket
Discard when worn, remove emblems
Remove emblems if given away
Act like a lady or gentlemen when wearing the FFA jacket
No tobacco or alcohol in jacket
Degree, Office, Award (1 each) worn below name

34. Chapter Officer Positions and Responsibilities
President-
Preside over meetings
Appoint Committees
Coordinate activities
Represent the chapter
Vice President-
Help the President
Coordinate all committees
Develop Program of Activity (POA)

35. Secretary- Treasure- Chapter correspondence
Maintain member attendance and activity records
Treasure-
Serve as chairperson of the earning and savings committee
Prepare and submit the membership roster

36. Reporter- Sentinel- Plan public information programs
Release news and information to news media
Sentinel-
Assist the president in maintaining order
Welcome guest and visitors
Keep meeting room comfortable

37. Other Possible FFA Officers
Historian
Parliamentarian
Chaplain