FFA/Agriculture Timeline

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    1700s

    General James Oglethorpe implemented an Agriculture Education program for Georgia.
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    1830s

    Cyrus McCormick patents the reaper (increased harvest with less labor)
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    1840s

    Grain drill patented (greatly increased wheat average &a wheat supply)
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    1860s

    U.S. Department of Agriculture established (government support for & control of agriculture
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    1870s

    Barbed wire patented (confined cattle increased beef production & quality
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    1880s

    First hybrid crop developed- corn (greatly increased yield and quality)
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    1890s

    First gasoline tractor built (agriculture's greatest achievement)
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    1900s

    George Washington Carver found new uses for peanuts (agricultural expansion and diversification)
  • 1917

    The smith-Hughes vocational education Act, passed by U.S. congress, provided funding for vocational agriculture course. Sponcer's of the bill. Senator hoke smith and Rep. Dudley Hughes both represented Georgia in Congress
  • 1928

    First national FFA convention held in Kansas City. First gathering of New Farmers of America.
  • 1929

    National blue and Corn gold were adopted as official FFA colors.
  • 1930

    Delegates restricted FFA membership to boys only.
  • 1950

    81st U.S congress passed a bill that granted a federal charter to FFA. President Harry S. Truman signed this on aug 30.
  • 1965

    FFA and Future Farmers of America merged together, doing this increased membership by 50,000
  • 1969

    FFA opened up to girls.
  • 1988

    FFA changed its name too National FFA organization to reflect the growing industry. Also opened to 7th and 8th grade students.
  • 1989

    National FFA magazine changed its name too FFA new horizons.
  • 1997

    First African-entrepreneurship awards where presented.
  • 2006

    National FFA convention held in Indianapolis for the first time.