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1917
the smith-hudges national vocational education act (both senator hake smith and representative dudley hudges were from Georgia) establishes vocational agriculture courses. -
1925
Virginia tech agriculture education teacher educators henry c. Groseclose, harry w. sanders, walter s. Newman and Edmund c. Magill organize the future farmers of Virginia (FFV) for the boys in agriculture classes. the FFV serves 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 at the American royal livestock and horse show in Kansas city, mo. -
1927
h.o Sargent, a federal agent for agriculture education for African- Americans at the u.s office for 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
The first national FFA convention is held in kansas city, mo.: 30 delegates from 18. first sectional gathering of new farmers of America (NFA) members is held. -
1929
national blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors. The first national chapter contest is launched and sponsored by farm journal magazine. -
1930
official FFA creed written by E.M tiffany is adopted. first official dress uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap, and yellow tie. -
1931
the national FFA radio program on NBC is launched. -
1932
a character is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA association. -
1933
blue corduroy jacket is adopted as the 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 where they are greeted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. -
1935
active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 members. David Simons is elected as the first national FFA president. -
1937
during the national FFA convention, action is taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington D.C. -
1939
28.5 acres of land is purchased near Alexandria, Va., for the first FFA-owned national headquarters; the land was once part of George Washington's estate. the h.o Sargent trophy award is created to honor h.o Sargent's commitment to helping NFA members achieve success and leadership in agriculture. -
1942
during the war years, national conventions are streamlined events, attended only by delegates and award winners. in 1942, just 217 people attend the convention. -
1944
the FFA foundation is formed in Washington,
D.C to raise money for FFA programs and activities. 138,548 FFA members serve in the armed services in world war II. -
1946
attendance at the national FFA ¨victory convention¨ is 12,500. those in attendance honor the 260,450 FFA members who served, and the 7,188 who paid the supreme sacrifice, losing their lives in the war. -
1947
the first national FFA band performs at the national FFA convention. national FFA officers go on the first goodwill tour, visiting business and industrial firms and organizations. -
1948
National FFA supply service begins operation. the first FFA chorus and National FFA talent programs are held at the national FFA convention. -
1949
the first international exchange program for FFA members begins with the young farmers club of great britan. -
1950
the Rhode island FFA association with five chapters and 82 members, is chartered- FFA is in all 48 states, plus the territory of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. -
1952
the FFA code of ethics is adopted. the first issue of the national future farmer magazine is published. -
1953
President Dwight d Eisenhower speaks at the national FFA convention- the first u.s president to do so- and receives an honorary American farmer degree. FFA memberships reaches 363,369 members, -
1955
The photo of American star farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine. -
1957
former president harries s. Turman speaks during the national FFA convention. -
1958
the national foundation for infantile paralysis presents NFA with a certificate of appreciation. -
1959
FFA holds its first leadership training conference for state officers in Washington d.c -
1964
FFA sells its 1 millionth FFA jacket. -
1965
NFA merges with FFA, increasing FFA members by more than 50,000. delegates vote to increase FFA memberships due from 10 cents to 50 cents, allowing all members to receive the official FFA magazine, the national future farmer. -
1966
The first FFA agriculture career show is held at the national FFA convention to highlight educational and career opportunities in agriculture. -
1967
Elmer j. johnson helps develop the FFA archives at the national FFA center. -
1968
presidential candidate Richard m. Nixon speaks at the national FFA convention. he is elected president the following month. -
1969
ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American star in agribusiness. the delegate body of the national FFA convention establishes an alumni class of membership as part of the constitution. -
1970
new yorks Antia decker and new jerseys Patrica krowicki become the first two female delegates to the national FFA convention. -
1971
the building of our American communities (BOAC) program begins. -
1973
FFA official dress standards are created. -
1974
president-general ford speaks at the national FFA convention. the speech is carried live on network television. -
1975
food for American program launches. jimmy carter speaks at the national FFA convention.The first FFA student handbook is published. -
1976
Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national character. -
1978
President jimmy carter speaks at the 51st National FFA convention again, this time as a u.s president. -
1979
Christe Peterson wins the first extemporaneous public speaking event. -
1980
the national FFA foundation raises $1 million in one year for the first time. -
1982
Jan Eberly becomes the first female national FFA president. -
1983
the aged network launches. -
1984
the first FFA TV public service announcements air. -
1986
the first agriscience teacher of the year award is presented to steven McKay from Bondville, calif. -
1987
the first national TV satellite broadcast of the national FFA convention airs. -
1988
President Ronald Reagan speaks at the national FFA convention via a prerecorded message. seventh and eighth-grade students are permitted to become FFA members. -
1989
the national future farmer magazine changes its name to FFA new Horizon. -
1990
delegates vote no to a new FFA creed during the 63rd national FFA convention. the partners in active learning support program launches. -
1991
FFA chapters in the u.s virgin islands and Guam, along with five chapters in Micronesia, are chartered. -
1994
Corey Flournoy is the first African-American to be elected national FFA president. -
1996
the official website for FFA, FFA.org, debuts. H.O Sargent award is reinstated, prompting diversity among chapters. -
1997
the first agri-entrepreneurship award is presented. -
1998
the national FFA center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20th. the national FFA convention is held in Kansas City for the last time. -
1999
the national FFA convention is held in Louisville Ky, for the first time with 46,918 in attendance. Michael van wrinkle from Arkansas wins the first national creed speaking event. -
2000
the national FFA Archives at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis opens. -
2001
Steven Offer from Wisconson is named the first American star in agriscience -
2002
official dress standards are revised. Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American star farmer. Lindow is the first female to receive this reward. -
2003
FFA live launches on RFD-TV. only blue will do launches. Javier morendo from Puerto Rico is elected national president. -
2004
the first live webcast of the national FFA convention premiers on FFA.org. -
2005
the national FFA foundation tops the $10 million mark in rising money in one year for FFA programs and services. -
2006
the 79th national FFA convention is held in Indianapolis for the first time with 54,589 in attendence. -
2007
the FFA merchandise center opens in Indianapolis.FFA membership exceeds the half-million mark with 500,823 members in 7,358 chapters. -
2008
the FFA member networking site, FFA nation launches -
2009
FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization. -
2010
FFA celebrates the 75th university of the fountain of NFA. dr. larry case retires after 26 years as national FFA visor. -
2011
FFA celebrates native Americans in FFA, agriculture, and agricultural education during the 84th national FFA convention.