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1968
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1968/
Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon speaks at the National FFA Convention. Nixon is elected U.S. president the following month.
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1969
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1969-2/
FFA opens membership to females, making it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at regional and national levels. Ken Dunagan from Arizona is named the first American Star in Agribusiness. The Washington Conference (now Washington Leadership Conference — WLC) begins. The delegate body of the National FFA Convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution.
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1971
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1971/
The National FFA Alumni Association is established. The Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program begins.
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1973
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1973/
FFA Official Dress standards are created. National FFA Secretary Fred McClure from Texas is the first African American elected to a national FFA office.
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1974
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1974/
President Gerald Ford speaks at the National FFA Convention. The speech is carried live on network television.
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1975
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1975/
Food for America program launches. Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and a former member of the Plains (Ga.) FFA Chapter, speaks at the National FFA Convention. Carter was elected U.S. president the following year. First FFA Student Handbook is published.
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1976
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1976-2/
Julie Smiley from Washington is elected national FFA vice president and is the first female to hold a national FFA office. Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter.
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1978
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1978/
President Jimmy Carter speaks at the 51st National FFA Convention again, this time as a U.S. president. The commemorative marker noting the site of the organization’s founding is unveiled in Kansas City, Mo.
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1980
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1980/
The National FFA Foundation raises $1 million in one year for the first time.
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1983
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1983/
The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches.
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1984
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1984/
The first FFA TV public service announcements air.
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1986
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1986/
The first Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award is presented to Steven McKay from Boonville, Calif.
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1987
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1987/
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.
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1988
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1988/
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.
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1989
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1989/
The National Future Farmer magazine changes its name to FFA New Horizons.
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1990
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1990/
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.
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1991
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1991/
FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam and five chapters in Micronesia are chartered.
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1994
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1994/
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.
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1996
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1996/
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.
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1998
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1998/
The National FFA Center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20. The Agricultural Education National Headquarters is dedicated in Alexandria, Va. The National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo., for the last time. Jose Santiago from Puerto Rico is elected national FFA vice president. He is the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national FFA officer. Public Law 81-740 is revised through the 105th Congress and replaced by Public Law 105-225 on Aug. 12.
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1999
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/1999/
The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time, with 46,918 in attendance. Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking event.
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2000
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/2000/
The National FFA Archives at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) opens. Delegates at the National FFA Convention approve the Discovery FFA Degree for middle school students.
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2001
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/2001/
Steven Offer from Wisconsin is named the first American Star in Agriscience. Nicholas Streff from South Dakota is named the first American Star in Agricultural Placement.
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2002
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/2002/
The 75th National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky. To celebrate this special event, the time capsule from the 50th National FFA Convention is opened. Special guest Muhammad Ali is recognized at Reflections to honor the growing diversity of the National FFA Organization. Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American Star Farmer. Lindow is the first female to receive this award. Official Dress standards are revised.
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2003
https://www.ffa.org/timeline/2003/
Javier Moreno from Puerto Rico is elected national president; he becomes the first person with a native language other than English and the first Puerto Rican elected to this office. “Only Blue Will Do!” launches. The campaign focuses on restoring the official FFA jacket colors to the true national blue and corn gold, as well as providing a superior-fitting jacket. “FFA Live!” launches on RFD-TV.
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