History of the National FFA Organization

The idea of an organization for students taking courses in vocational agriculture was born after the passage of the Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education act of 1917. The state of Virginia formed a Future Farmers Club in the early 1920's for boys in agricultural classes. The National Organization was established in 1928 at the Hotel Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri. The first national convention had 33 delegates from 7 states. Annual dues were set at 10 cents per member. Henry Groseclose was a pioneer in vocational agriculture in Virginia and the United States. He was one of the founders of the FFA, and was largely responsible for the by-laws, constitution, and rituals of the FFA. He served the National Organization for 12 years, first as Secretary-Treasurer, then as Treasurer. Other Important Dates to the National FFA Organization: 1929--Selection of FFA Colors and 1st Star Farmer of America. 1934--Alaska and Rhode Island were the only states without chartered associations. 1944--National FFA Foundation was created to provide funds for support of new programs. 1950--Public Law 740 granted the FFA a federal charter. 1952--The National Future Farmer magazine was established 1965--The New Farmers of America, an organization for black agricultural students merged with the FFA. 1969--Delegates voted to allow girls to become FFA members. 1971--The National FFA Alumni Association was formed. 1988--Delegates voted to change the official name from the Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization. 1989--The name of The National Future Farmer magazine was changed to FFA New Horizons. Information was taken from the 1994-95 Official FFA Manual

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