Virginia Tech agricultural education teacher educators Henry Groseclose, Harry Sanders, Walter S. Newman and Edmund C. Magill organize the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys in agriculture classes. The FFV serves as the model for the Future Farmers of America.

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

H.O. Sargent and G.W. Owens 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.

Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.

First National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City: 33 delegates from 18 states in attendance.

Leslie Applegate from New Jersey is elected first national FFA president.

First sectional gathering of New Farmers of America members is held.

National blue and corn gold is adopted as official colors.

Carlton Patton of Arkansas is named first Star Farmer of America.

First National Chapter Contest is launched and sponsored by Farm Journal magazine.

Official FFA Creed is adopted.

First National Public Speaking event is held. Winner: Edward Drace, Missouri.

First Official Dress uniform is adopted: dark blue shirt, blue or white pants, blue cap and yellow tie.

Delegates restrict membership to boys only.

First FFA Manual printed by The Farm Journal of Philadelphia.

A charter is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA Association.

A charter is granted to the Puerto Rico FFA Association.

The national FFA Radio program on NBC is launched

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.

NFA is founded as a national organization in Tuskegee, Ala.

Active FFA membership exceeds 100,000 members.

During national convention, action is taken to establish a national FFA camp and leadership training school in Washington, D.C.

28.5 acres of land is purchased for the first FFA-owned national headquarters; the land is part of George Washington’s estate.

Identical twins, Albert and Arthur Lacy of Hondo, Texas, become the only members ever to share the title of Star Farmer of America.

The “H.O. Sargent Trophy Award” is created to honor H.O. Sargent’s commitment to helping NFA members achieve success and leadership in agriculture.

Future Farmers of America Foundation is formed.

138,548 FFA members serve in the Armed Services in World War II.

First National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award is presented for Agricultural Mechanics.

First National FFA Band performs at national FFA convention.

First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program is held at national FFA convention.

National FFA Supply Service begins operation.

Record jump in membership from 238,269 in 1947 to 260,300 in 1948; so many members attend the 20th National FFA Convention that a folding-cot hotel is set up in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

First FFA Week is celebrated during the week of George Washington’s birthday

First International Exchange Program for FFA members begins with Young Farmers Club of Great Britain.

President Harry S. Truman grants a Federal Charter, Public Law 740, to FFA.

First issue of The National Future Farmer magazine is published.

The U.S. Post Office Department issues a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower is the first president to speak at a national FFA convention.

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

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

First National FFA Center is dedicated in Alexandria, Va.

FFA holds its first National Leadership Conference for state officers in Washington, D.C.

FFA sells its one-millionth FFA jacket.

New Farmers of America merges with the Future Farmers of America.

First FFA National Agricultural Career Show is held at national FFA convention.

President Richard Nixon attends national FFA convention.

FFA opens membership to girls

First American Star in Agribusiness, Ken Dunagan from Arizona, is named.

Washington Conference (now WLC) begins.

Delegate body of the national FFA convention establishes alumni class of membership as part of the constitution

The National FFA Alumni Association is established.

FFA Official Dress standards are created.

Fred McClure from Texas is the first African-American elected to a national FFA office.

President Gerald Ford is the guest speaker at national FFA convention; the speech is carried live to network television.

Food For America program launches.

First FFA Student Handbook is published.

Julie Smiley of Washington is the first female elected to a national office.

Alaska becomes the last of the 50 states to obtain a national charter.

President Jimmy Carter addresses the 51st National FFA Convention.

First Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event is held and won by Christe Peterson of Wisconsin.

National FFA Foundation raises $1 million in one year for the first time.

Jan Eberly of California becomes the first female national FFA president

George H. W. Bush speaks at national convention as vice president to Ronald Reagan; Bush becomes president in 1988

First national television satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention is held.

Future Farmers of America changes its name to National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in the industry of agriculture.

Seventh and eighth grade students are permitted to become FFA members.

Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced

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