1917

• The National Vocational Education Act (Smith-Hughes Act) is passed.

1927

• New Farmers of Virginia is formed.

1928

• Future Farmers of America (FFA) is established.

• First National FFA Convention is attended by 33 delegates from 18 states.

• Leslie Applegate is selected as first National FFA President.

1929

• National blue and corn gold are adopted as official FFA colors.

1930

• FFA Creed is adopted.

• First Official Dress uniform is adopted.

1933

• Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as official dress.

1944

• First National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award is presented.

1947

• First National FFA Band performs at convention.

1948

• First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at convention.

• First National FFA Weeks is celebrated.

1950

• Federal charter is granted to the FFA.

1952

• First issue of The National Future Farmers magazine is published.

1959

• National FFA Center is dedicated.

1965

• New Farmers of America merges with Future Farmers of America

1966

• First FFA National Agricultural Career Show is held.

1969

• Membership is open to girls.

• First National Star in Agribusiness is named.

• FFA Washington Conference (now called Washington Leadership Conference) begins.

1972

• National FFA Alumni Association is chartered.

1973

• FFA Official Dress standards are created.

1988

• Future Farmers of America changes its name to National FFA Organization.

• There are 760,113 FFA members, aged 12-21, in 8,739 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

• 46% of FFA members are female; women hold more than 50% of state leadership positions.

• 66.6% of our membership is Caucasian; 14.8% is Hispanic and 4.4% is African-American.

• 93% of FFA members are in grades 9-12.

• 60% of FFA members live in rural areas; 20% live in town, 12% live in a suburb, and 6% live in the city.

• The top five membership states are California, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri.

• Collectively, FFA members earn more than $1 billion annually through their hands-on work experience.

• 54% of FFA members are male and 46% of FFA members are female.

• $2,745,546 is provided nationally in scholarships to FFA members.

• FFA members have an average 3.75/4.00 grade point average.

The FFA Creed

I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.

Chapter Program of Activities 

Chapter History

*Anyone who can assist in adding to the chapter history is encouraged to email information to asacquitne@allamakee.k12.ia.us