FFA History

FFA celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization. H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization’s Federal Charter Amendments Act (also known as Public Law 116-7), becomes law. Dr. Steve Brown retires as National FFA advisor and board of directors chair. Washington Leadership Conference celebrates its 50th anniversary. The National FFA Delegates amend and the National FFA Board of Directors ratifies the National FFA Constitution and Bylaws. The National Council for Agricultural Education names Dr. James Woodard the board of directors chair and national advisor. The National FFA Board of Directors names Cheryl Zimmerman executive secretary of the National FFA. The National FFA Foundation celebrates its 75th anniversary. The National FFA Foundation receives a record $23.4 million in support for FFA. The estate of Emmaline S. Eichelberger donates more than $2.5 million to the National FFA Organization, the largest single unrestricted donation in the organization’s history.

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. The National FFA Alumni Council becomes the National FFA Alumni and Supporters Advisory Committee. Platinum sponsor John Deere commemorates 75 years of partnership with FFA. FFA announces that the National FFA Convention & Expo will stay in Indianapolis through 2031. The 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis has a record attendance of 69,944 members, advisors, supporters and guests. The inaugural FFA Blue Room launches at the national convention and expo, showcasing cutting-edge technology, research and innovation in agriculture. President Donald Trump speaks at the national convention and expo.

Convention delegate recommendations to alter Official Dress and the opening ceremony get approval from the National FFA Board of Directors. Breanna Holbert from California is the first African American female to be elected national FFA president. Alumni membership hits an all-time high with 344,239 members in 2,051 chapters.

National FFA Alumni membership jumps to 225,891 members, up from 62,705 in 2015. FFA, Discovery Education and AgCareers.com partner to create AgExplorer, a career website to help students explore unique careers in agriculture.

FFA announces the national convention and expo to move to Indianapolis from 2016-24. First Lady Michelle Obama gives video greetings to attendees at the national convention and expo. The organization’s official website, FFA. org, is updated to include a new look, a personalized dashboard, the resource My Journey, the FFA Resume Generator© and the FFA Brand Center. The FFA emblem is also newly refreshed to modernize the FFA brand.

Five FFA jackets are donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The Give the Gift of Blue Program begins.

Sherene Donaldson is named first female national FFA executive secretary. Ram Truck’s “So God Made a Farmer” Super Bowl commercial exceeds 18 million views on YouTube; the company donates $1 million to FFA. FFA Today Radio Show debuts on SiriusXM’s RURAL RADIO channel.

FFA members and supporters pack 1,005,048 meals during the national convention and expo’s FFA Rally to Fight Hunger. FFA celebrates Latinos/Hispanics in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education during the national convention and expo.

FFA celebrates Native Americans in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education during the 84th National FFA Convention. Dr. Steve A. Brown is named national advisor/board chair.

Dr. Larry Case retires after 26 years as national FFA advisor. FFA celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of NFA. Six college-age FFA members travel to Zambia for the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program.

FFA celebrates 40 years of women in the organization.

The FFA member networking site, FFA Nation (now defunct), launches. The FFA board of directors makes the decision to rotate the National FFA Convention between Louisville and Indianapolis, beginning with Louisville in 2013.