Celebrating the history of the National FFA Organization

03/23/2010 |

From Farm and Dairy:

More than 80 years ago, in a hotel in Kansas City, Mo., a small group of 33 young farm boys met to form an agricultural program for youth. Today, that same organization — known as FFA — is still growing with more than a half-million members from every U.S. state, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Millions of American youth have learned to recite the FFA creed and pledge their belief “in the future of agriculture.” Through projects known as Career Development Events — students compete in state and national contests to sharpen the skills the farm community needs — job interviewing, sales, public speaking, mechanical repair, livestock judging and record keeping.

The FFA was founded in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America. (A timeline of FFA historiy can be seen at the bottom of this page.) At that time, it was only available to boys and young men interested in vocational agriculture. But in 1969, women were allowed to participate, and in 1988, delegates changed the name to National FFA Organization — a more accurate title for what it had become.

Over the years, its membership has included millions of everyday American students interested in agriculture, and a few who have risen to the top.

Before he was President Jimmy Carter — before winning the Nobel Peace Prize — young Carter was an active FFA member in Plains, Ga.

Country music singers Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins and Lyle Lovett — all are alumni, and so is West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus Douglass, Garfield comic strip creator Jim Davis, and a host of Olympians, professional athletes and coaches.

Read the full story.

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