What is FFA???

A Little Bit of History...

Future Farmers of America was originally designed for young boys who took agriculture courses in high school. It was established in 1928 at the Hotel Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri.

Other important dates include:

1926 - The American Royal Livestock Show invived vocational agriculture students to participate in Naitonal Livestock Judging Contests in Kansas City, Missouri.

1928 - During the National Livestock Judging Contests, 33 students from 18 states establish Future Farmers of America to provide leadership training for farm boys.

1929 - Selection of FFA Colors (national blue and corn gold) and 1st Star Farmer of America.

1930 - The official Creed is adopted.

1933 - FFA members from Fredericktown, Ohio arrived at the national convention in blue corduroy jackets with the FFA emblem on the back. Official delegates voted to adopt it as the organization;s official dress.

1944 - The National FFA Foundation was created to provide funds for support of new programs.

1948 - Mr. Crandall, the best FFA Advisor in the world, was born.

1950 - Public Law 740 granted the FFA a federal charter.

1959 - The FFA Center is established in Alexandria, Virginia.

1965 - FFA merged with New Farmers of America, an organization for black agricultural students.

1966 - The National FFA Agricultural Career Show first exposed FFA members to educational and career opportunities in agriculture.

1969 - Girls were granted admission into the FFA.

1971 - The National FFA Alumni Association was formed.

1988 - Future Farmers of America was changed to the National FFA Organization.

1998 - The National FFA Center was moved from Alexandria, Virginia to Indianapolis, Indiana.

1999 - The first National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky was held.

The FFA Emblem

The FFA Emblem is made up of five symbols that represent the history, goals, and future of the FFA organization.

THE CROSS-SECTION OF AN EAR OF CORN - Provides the foundation for the emblem, just as corn provides the foundation of American agriculture. Since corn is grown in every state, it serves as a symbol of unity.

THE PLOW - Signifies labor and tillage of the soil, the backbone of agriculture and the foundation of our nation's strength.

THE RISING SUN - Symbolizes progress and holds a promise that tomorrow will bring a new day that is filled with new opportunities.

THE OWL - Recognized as a symbol for wisdom, symbolizes the knowledge necessary to be successful in agriculture.

THE EAGLE - Serves as a reminder of our freedom and ability to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture.
The words "Agricultural Education" and " FFA" are in the center to signify the combination of learning and leadership that is necessary for successful and progressive agriculturists.

The FFA Creed
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturists in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us through the struggle 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 skills as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public's 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 on 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 upon 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 FFA Convention. It was revised at the 38th National Convention and the 63rd National Convention. A copy of the original FFA Creed can be seen at the National FFA Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

FFA Mission Statement

The primary aim of the National FFA Organization is the development of agricultural leadership, cooperation, and citizenship. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

The specific purposes for which this organization was formed are:

To develop competent and assertive agricultural leadership.

To develop an awareness of the global importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.

To strengthen the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.

To promote the intelligent choice and establishment of a career in agriculture.

To stimulate development and encourage achievement in individual agricultural experience programs.

To improve the economic, environmental, recreational, and human resources of the community.

To develop competencies in communications, human relations, and social abilities.

To develop character, train for useful citzenship, and foster patriotism.

To build cooperative attitudes among agriculture students.

To encourage wise management of resources.

To encourage improvement in scholarship.

To provide organized recreational activities for agriculture students.

FFA Motto

Learning to Do
Doing to Learn
Earning to live
Living to Serve

Code of Ethics
We will conduct ourselves at all times in order to be a credit to our organization, chapter, school, and community by:

Dressing neatly and appropriately for the occasion.

Showing respect for the rights of others and being courteous at all times.

Being honest and not taking unfair advantage of others.

Respecting the rights and property of others.

Refraining from loud, boisterous talk, swearing, and other unbecoming conduct.

Demonstrating sportsmanship in the show ring, judging contests and meetings, and being modest in winning and generous in defeat.

Attending meetings promptly and respecting the opinion of others in discussion.

Taking pride in our organization, activities, supervised experience program, exhibits, and agriculture as an industry.

Sharing with others experiences and knowledge gained by attending national and state meetings.

Strive to establish and enhance skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career.

Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization.

The Agriculture Teacher's Creed

I am a teacher of vocational agriculture by choice and not by chance.

I believe in America; I dedicate my life to its development and the advancement of its people.

I will strive to set before my students by my needs and actions the highest standards of citizenship for the community, state, and nation.

I will endeavor to develop professionally through study, travel, and exploration.

I will not knowingly wrong my fellow teacher. I will defend him as far as honesty will permit.

I will work for the advancement of vocational agriculture and I will defend it in my community, state, and nation.

I realize that I am part of the public school system. I will wok in harmony with school authorities and other teachers of the school.

My love for people will spur me on to impart something from my life that will help make for each of my students a full and happy future.

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