Timeline Stories

The U.S. Post Office Department issues a special 3-cent postage stamp—the cost of mailing a first-class letter then—to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA. The first stamps are released in Kansas City, Mo., during the National FFA Convention. President Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks at the National FFA Convention — the first U.S. president to do so — and receives an Honorary American Farmer Degree. FFA membership reaches 363,369 members.

The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo.

Former President Harry S. Truman spoke during the national convention.

H.O. Sargent, a federal agent for agricultural education for African Americans at the U.S. Office of Education, and G.W. Owens, a teacher-trainer at Virginia State College, write the first constitution and bylaws for the New Farmers of Virginia, an organization for African-American agriculture students. The organization holds its first state rally that same year.

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis presented NFA with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Official FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, is adopted. Edward Drace from Missouri wins the first National Public Speaking event. First Official Dress uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap and yellow tie. Delegates restrict FFA membership to boys only.

Blue corduroy jacket is adopted as Official Dress. A group of FFA officers and members make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., where they are greeted on the White House lawn by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Convention delegate recommendation to revise the terminology of official FFA ceremonies, adding the option of officer position (Last Name) in addition to Mr./Madame, gets approval from the board of directors.

Student membership hits an all-time high with 850,823 members in 8,995 chapters. Dr. Travis Park is named director of agricultural education, FFA board chair and national advisor. The board of directors ratified the approved constitutional amendment by the delegates to include fifth and sixth grade students as FFA members. The 15,000th jacket is gifted through the Give the Gift of Blue program. FFA members earn a record 4,305 American FFA Degrees. Alumni and supporters membership hits an all-time high with 704,297 members in 2,550 chapters.

FFA celebrates 50 years of alumni membership. National FFA Board of Directors grants the U.S. Virgin Islands a new charter. National delegates pass and the National FFA Board of Directors ratify the FFA Value Statements. Vice President Kamala Harris gives videotaped greetings at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo.

Student membership hits an all-time high with 760,113 members in 8,739 chapters. The National FFA Convention & Expo is held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Forever Blue Network is launched. For the first time in 50 years, the Washington Leadership Conference is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.