FFA Then and Now:  

1915-1929
1917 Congress passed Smith-Hughes Act. –     Established agriculture classes. 
1920s Future Farmers of Virginia formed. 
            –Henry Groseclose-Father of the FFA 
1926 American Royal in Kansas City invited vocational agriculture students to judge livestock. 
1926 New Farmers of America form in Virginia.
1928 Walt Disney draws Mickey Mouse for Kansas City Star. 
1928 1st National Convention in Kansas City's Baltimore Hotel. 
                –1st President - Leslie Applegate [He was elected in 1927]
                 –1st National Advisor - Dr. C.H. Lane 
                –Dues set at $0.10 
1929 Carton Patton 1st American Star Farmer.      

         National Blue and Corn Gold are made the official colors. 

1930's
1930 FFA Creed Adopted.
             –Written by E.M. Tiffany at  3rd national convention – It was later revised in 1965, 1987, & 1990

         First version of Offical dress adopted. 
1933 FFA Jacket adopted as Official dress. 

1935 New Farmers [African] American formed

1937 Leadership training is established

1939 FFA acquires land in Alexandria, VA to use for camps and other purposes.
 

1940's
1944 National FFA Foundation Formed as the Non-profit fundraising part of FFA.
              –Private donations fund awards.                –Foundation raises $6 million annually. 
1947 National FFA Band performed for 1st time
1948 National FFA Chorus performed

         First FFA week celebrated
1948 National FFA Supply Service Formed.              –Official Jackets, Awards, Anything FFA 

1950's
1950 Public Law 740 granted National FFA a Federal Charter.
                    FFA recognized as intracurricular part of the agriculture education program. 
1952 National Future Farmer magazine published.  
         Code of Ethics adopted  
1955 International Student exchange programs began. –Can now travel to 30 countries   
1959 National FFA Center located on part of the original estate of George Washington in Alexandria,                    Virginia. 

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1960's
1960 Local NFA  –New Farmers [African] American and FFA chapters begin merging together.   
1962 NFA and FFA hold joint meeting to discuss future of organizations.  
1964 CIvil Rights Act passes.
1965 NFA merged with FFA 
1969 Girls admitted to FFA. 
         First Star Agribusiness man Ken Dunagan from Arizona 

         First Washington Leadership Conference

1970 to NOW
1971 National FFA Alumni founded.  

1975 First FFA Student Handbook published
1988 Name changed to National FFA Organization. 

         FFA opened up to 7th and 8th graders.

         Agriscience Student Recognition Program introduced.
1989 National Future Farmer magazine name changed to FFA New Horizons. 
1990s delegates voted to change the apportionment system to a fixed 475 system.

             Each states representation now includes 2 delegates per state and additional delegates based on              the states membership. 

1996 National FFA Center moved from Alexandria, VA, to Indianapolis, IN.

2001 Discovery Degree available for middle school students.

2002 75th National FFA Convention / 50th Time Capsule Opened
2015  The FFA logo is updated.

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Serveral sources used including:

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ffa-history-1917-2011

https://www.ffa.org/about/what-is-ffa/ffa-history

https://prezi.com/ft2ajvb1ejgg/ffa-history-timeline/

http://www.agriscience.msu.edu/

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