The Enduring Legacy of the National FFA Alumni and Supporters
The National FFA Alumni and Supporters plays a vital role in ensuring the future of FFA and agricultural education. Over the past 50 years, it has been dedicated to providing time, talent, and financial resources to the National FFA Organization. What began as an idea from student delegates in 1969 officially launched two years later and has grown into a global network of more than 684,000 actively involved volunteers. As the National FFA Organization has grown and evolved, alumni and supporters chapters have worked to meet the needs of FFA chapters. Today, just over 2,400 alumni and supporters chapters exist, representing about one-third of FFA chapters.
The Genesis of FFA: Cultivating Future Agricultural Leaders
The roots of FFA originate from a time when boys were losing interest and leaving the farm. Walter S. Newman, who in September 1925 became the Virginia State Supervisor of Agricultural Education, sought a solution to the problem with Edmund C. MaGill, Harry W. Sanders and Henry C. Groseclose, staff members of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute Agricultural Education Department.
Newman proposed forming an organization that offered farm boys "a greater opportunity for self-expression and for the development of leadership. In this way they will develop confidence in their own ability and pride in the fact that they are farm boys."
Groseclose immediately began work on a constitution and bylaws for the new organization, and J.O. Hoge later suggested a name: Future Farmers of Virginia.
The idea was presented during an annual vocational rally in the state in April 1926, where it was met positively. The Future Farmers of Virginia was born.
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The Smith-Hughes Act: A Foundation for Agricultural Education
The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act, established vocational agriculture courses. Both Senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes were from Georgia. This act laid the groundwork for agricultural education in the United States, recognizing the importance of preparing future generations for careers in agriculture.
Future Farmers of Virginia: A Model for National Organization
In 1925, Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV) for boys in agriculture classes. The FFV served as the model for the Future Farmers of America. This organization provided a platform for young men to develop their skills and knowledge in agriculture.
The First National Congress
The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembled for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo. This event brought together students from across the country to showcase their expertise in livestock judging.
The New Farmers of Virginia
H.O. Office of Education, and G.W. Owens, a teacher-trainer at Virginia State College, wrote the first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agriculture students. This organization provided opportunities for African-American students to participate in agricultural education.
The Birth of FFA: A National Organization Emerges
In 1928, Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. The establishment of FFA marked a significant milestone in the development of agricultural education in the United States.
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That's when 33 young students from those 18 states gathered at the Hotel Baltimore to establish the Future Farmers of America. The group elected Leslie Applegate of Freehold, N.J., as its first president and adopted the national emblem - a mark similar to that of the original Virginia emblem - during the new organization's first convention.
Early Years: Establishing Identity and Purpose
In 1929, national blue and corn gold became the official colors of FFA. A year later, delegates adopted the official FFA Creed and by 1933 the familiar Official Dress of blue corduroy jackets was adopted after convention delegates were enthralled by the jackets won to Kansas City by members of the Fredericktown, Ohio, FFA chapter.
Carlton Patton from Arkansas is named the first Star Farmer of America. Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, is adopted. A group of FFA officers and members make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., where they are greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The New Farmers of America: A Parallel Organization
Less than a decade after the formation of the Future Farmers of America in 1928, a national organization for African-American boys interested in agriculture formed in Tuskegee, Ala. The New Farmers of America was modeled after another Virginia organization - the New Farmers of Virginia - and began in 1935. The New Farmers of Virginia was instrumentally started by G.W. Owens and J.R. Thomas, teacher-educators in agricultural education at Virginia State College, and Dr. H.O. Sargent, a federal agricultural education official who later proposed NFA.
The NFA and FFA shared common beliefs. The NFA Creed had six paragraphs, each beginning with "I believe," and its emblem featured only one stylistic difference: an outline in the shape of a cotton boll instead of an ear of corn. A total of 13 states received NFA charters, and by 1965 the NFA and FFA consolidated in recognition of shared missions for agricultural education.
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FFA During World War II: Supporting the War Effort
FFA members join in the war effort. Three former FFA members-Robert Gray from Texas, Travis Hoover from California and Melvin Jordan from Oklahoma-serve with then Lt. Col. During the war years, national conventions are streamlined events, attended only by delegates and award winners. Attendance at the National FFA “Victory Convention” is 12,500.
Post-War Growth and Recognition
Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948. Congress passes a bill that grants a federal charter to Future Farmers of America. President Harry S. Truman signs the bill on Aug. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to speak at a national FFA convention. Photo of American Star Farmer Joe Moore is on the cover of Time magazine. Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention.
Integration and Expansion: Embracing Diversity and Opportunity
In 1965, Due to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which mandated the end of segregation, NFA merges with FFA, resulting in the end of NFA after 30 years of providing agricultural leadership development for rural Black male youth.
In 1969, FFA opened membership to girls, making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels.
In 1974, Texas' Fred McClure became the first African-American national FFA officer, and in 1994 Chicago's Corey Flournoy became the first African-American national FFA president.
It wasn't until 1969 that females gained full FFA membership privileges by vote of the national convention delegates, despite many state associations permitting female members long before. New York's Anita Decker and New Jersey's Patricia Krowicki became the first two female delegates to the national convention in 1970.
Today, females represent more than 45 percent of FFA members and roughly half of all state leadership positions. In 1976, Washington's Julie Smiley became the first female national FFA officer. California's Jan Eberly became the first female National FFA President in 1982. In 2002, Wisconsin's Karlene Lindow became the first female FFA member to earn the prestigious American Star Farmer Award.
First FFA National Agricultural Career Show (now called expo) is held at the National FFA Convention to highlight educational and career opportunities in agriculture.
Milestones of Leadership and Recognition
Elmer J. Johnson is the first National FFA Executive Secretary. Jose Santiago from Puerto Rico is elected national FFA vice president.
Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon speaks at the National FFA Convention. President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains (Ga.) FFA Chapter, speaks at the National FFA Convention. Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention.
Evolving with the Times: Modernization and Adaptation
In 1988, Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in the industry of agriculture.
Public Law 81-740 is revised through the 105th Congress and replaced by Public Law 105-225 on Aug. 12.
The 75th National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky. To celebrate this special event, the time capsule from the 50th National FFA Convention is opened. Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American Star Farmer. “Only Blue Will Do!” launches.
The National FFA Alumni Association: Supporting the Next Generation
The board of directors votes to rename the National FFA Alumni Association to National FFA Alumni and Supporters and change its bylaws to operational policies.
Over the past 50 years, National FFA Alumni and Supporters has dedicated time, talent and financial resources to ensure the future of FFA. What started as an idea from student delegates in 1969 was officially launched two years later and has grown into a global network of more than 684,000 actively involved volunteers. As the National FFA Organization has grown and evolved, alumni and supporters chapters have worked to meet the needs of FFA chapters. Today, just over 2,400 alumni and supporters chapters exist, representing about one-third of FFA chapters.
FFA Today: A Thriving Organization
Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways. So today, we are still the Future Farmers of America. But, we are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too.
Since 1928, millions of agriculture students have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA Creed. territories are currently chartered members of the national organization, representing 610,240 individual FFA members and 7,665 local chapters. It's a testament to the power of common goals and the strong ideals of the FFA founders.
Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught us that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting - it's a science, it's a business and it's an art.
The Enduring Legacy: Shaping Future Leaders
The National FFA Organization has a long and rich history of providing opportunities for young people to develop their leadership skills, explore their interests in agriculture, and prepare for successful careers. From its humble beginnings as the Future Farmers of Virginia to its current status as a national organization with over 600,000 members, FFA has played a vital role in shaping the future of agriculture in the United States.
FFA has offered members unparalleled agricultural education experiences over the years through initiatives like the Global Outreach Program, with a focus on not just professional development but personal growth as well. Engagement programs connect local chapters with businesses in their area. Some of these businesses include automotive and tractor dealers, agricultural retailers, seed growers, restaurants, and manufacturers.
FFA teaches members valuable leadership skills, such as public speaking, writing, organization, networking, and advocacy. FFA divides school-based agricultural education into three components: classrooms and laboratories, SAEs, and the programs and resources available within the organization.
The H.O. Sargent Award was created to inspire member diversity and success in honor of H.O. Office of Education and a co-writer of FFA’s first bylaws. The year 2009, marked 40 years of female involvement with the organization. FFA offers young people the unique ability to experience common challenges farmers and ranchers face in a positive, supportive, and educational environment. This is done through youth livestock shows, state fairs, and agriculture festivals like the Florida Strawberry Festival.
More than $2 million of the FFA Foundation fund is allocated to scholarships for higher education each year. The Living to Serve program motivates students to positively impact their community through service project opportunities and friendly competitions. The Living to Serve Chapter Challenge is currently underway and encourages FFA members to collectively complete 930,000 volunteer hours by the 93rd National FFA Convention and Expo.
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