History of the FFA By Mr Sullivan Modified

History of the FFA By Mr. Sullivan Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July, 2002

Beginning of Agriculture in the classroom n 1917 the Smith-Hughes Act passed » Allowing vocational agriculture to be taught to high school males

National FFA Association n Formed in 1928 » In Kansas City, Missouri n. Leslie Applegate was the first National President n. Dr. C. H. Lane was the first National Advisor

First States Chartered n 1928 » Virginia » Arkansas » New Jersey » California » South Carolina

FFA Creed & Colors n Adopted at the third National Convention in 1930 – I believe in the future of agriculture… – National Blue & Corn Gold

A Piece of History Purchased n In 1939 the National FFA purchased 28. 5 acres of George Washington’s estate n Present National Headquarters and Supply service are located here

National FFA Foundation n In 1944 the Foundation was formed

U. S. Congress n Public Law 740 was passed n This granted the FFA a Federal Charter n It all happened in 1950

1952 n The National Future Farmer magazine was first published n Currently the magazine is bi- monthly & is only a dollar per year for an FFA member

Integrated FFA n In 1965 the “New Farmers” merged with the FFA to create an integrated Future Farmers of America

1969 n FFA welcomes female members into the organization

Women in the FFA n Today 35% of FFA members are female; women hold 47% of state leadership positions » It wasn’t until 1982 when the FFA elected its first National President: Jan Ebberley from California

Current Enrollment n FFA expands to include Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands n Enrollment in the National Organization is at an 18 year high at 457, 278