FFA History

H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters. FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis. FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky., in 1999. The official website for FFA, FFA.org, debuts.

Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first national president from an urban environment.

FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam and five chapters in Micronesia are chartered.

The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches. National convention delegates vote to raise the number of official voting delegates to 475 based on proportional representation. Delegates vote “no” to a new FFA Creed during the 63rd National FFA Convention.

The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons.

The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture. Seventh and eighth grade students are permitted to become FFA members. The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced. President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message. Evadale, Texas, member Chrystal McDaniel poses with the 3 millionth FFA jacket.

The first national television satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention airs. Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention. Bush is elected U.S. president the following year.

The first Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award is presented to Steven McKay from Boonville, Calif.

The first FFA TV public service announcements air.

The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches.

Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president.

Melanie Burgess became a national FFA vice president in 1981.