The FFA (Future Farmers of America) is an organization for students interested in agriculture. It was established in 1928 to develop agricultural leadership, cooperation, and citizenship. Key events include the passage of laws supporting vocational agriculture programs and the merger with the New Farmers of America. FFA offers leadership opportunities through conventions, career development events, public speaking competitions, and proficiency awards. Students can also earn degrees that recognize their accomplishments. The emblem represents important aspects of agriculture through symbols like the ear of corn and plow. Local FFA chapters are led by student officers overseen by an advisor.

1. Objective: Understand
organizations available for
students in animal science
The History of FFA

2. What is FFA?
 …an organization of high school students
in agricultural education
 students from all 50 states plus Guam and
Puerto Rico.

3. FFA History

4. 1917 – Smith-Hughes Act
 Named after a senator from Georgia.
 Provided federal funding for Vocational
Agriculture in public high schools.

5. 1920’s Future Farmer Clubs
 Virginia was the first
 Boys only
 North Carolina
Young Tar Heel Farmers

6. 1928 – Future Farmers of
America
 FFA was established
 The 1st convention was held in the Hotel Baltimore in
Kansas City, Missouri
 The first dues were 10 cents
 Current chapter dues are $15.00

7. FFA History
 1930
FFA Creed is written by E.M. Tiffany
 1935
New Farmers of America (NFA) formed
For black students studying agriculture

8. New Farmers of America
 Organization for
African-American
males in high school
agriculture classes.
 Colors were black
and gold
 Found mostly in
southern states

9. New Farmers of America
NFA memorabilia
NC FFA Center, White Lake, NC

10. FFA History
 1950
Public Law 740
 Gave the FFA a federal charter
 The law said that each school teaching
agriculture must have an FFA program
 Revised in 1998
 Currently public Law 105-225

11. FFA History
 1965
 FFA and the NFA merge
 1969
 Girls were admitted into the
FFA
 1971
 National FFA Alumni
Association was founded
 Founded for supporters of
FFA, not necessarily
former members

12. FFA History
 1988
 Future Farmers of
America changes its
name to National FFA
Organization
 1989
 National Future
Farmer Magazine
changes its name to
FFA New Horizons

13. FFA History
 The 1990’s
National FFA Center moves to Indianapolis,
Indiana

14. FFA History
 2013
National FFA Convention and Career Expo
moves to Louisville Kentucky.

15. National FFA
Organization
Structure of the FFA

16. National FFA Organization
 FFA is a federally chartered organization
for students interested in agriculture.
Levels of the FFA in North Carolina
 Local Chapter
 Region
 North Carolina FFA Association
 National FFA Organization

17. Parts of a Total Agriculture
Program
 3 integral components to an agricultural
education program
Classroom/Lab Instruction
Supervised Agricultural Experience programs
(SAE)
FFA SAEFFA
Classroom

18. East Wilkes FFA Chapter
Foothills Federation
Northwest Region
North Carolina FFA Association
National FFA

19. National Officer Team
 Comprised of six
student officers
 President
 Secretary
 Four Vice Presidents

20. Andy Paul
 The current National
FFA President.
 He is from Georgia.

21. Dr. Steve Brown
 Currently the National
FFA Advisor
 Employed by the
Department of
Education

22. North Carolina State FFA Officers
 Made up of six
students from
across North
Carolina
 President
 Five Vice-
Presidents

23. Northwest Regional FFA
Officers
 Composed of at least six members from
the region
At least one officer is elected from each
federation

24. East Wilkes FFA Officers
 President
 Vice President
 Secretary
 Treasurer
 Reporter
 Sentinel
 Chaplain
 Historian

25. FFA Traditions and
Ceremonies

26. The FFA Mission
 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.

27. The FFA Motto
Learning to Do
Doing to Learn
Earning to Live
Living to Serve

28. The FFA Official Colors
National
Blue
Corn
Gold

29. FFA Official Dress
 Males
Black Socks
White Collared Shirt
Official FFA Tie
Official FFA Jacket
zipped to the top
Black shoes

30. FFA Official Dress
 Females
 Black skirt of appropriate
length or Slacks
 White Collared Blouse
 Official FFA Scarf
 Official FFA Jacket
zipped to the top
 Black shoes

31. Ceremonies
 FFA Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Rituals that emphasizes the beliefs of the FFA
and explain the meanings of certain emblems.
 Outlined in the FFA Student Manual

32. Opening Ceremony- “All in
Unison”
 President:
“FFA members, why are we here?”
 All members say:
“To practice brotherhood, honor
agricultural opportunities and
responsibilities, and develop those
qualities of leadership which an FFA
member should possess.”

33. Closing Ceremony- The FFA
Salute
“I pledge allegiance to the
flag of the United States of
America and to to the
republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.”

34. FFA Leadership
Opportunities

35. FFA Programs of Activities
(POA)
 It is a plan that that helps in setting goals
and developing plans and steps to reach
those goals.
Activities are determined by the student
membership of the local chapter
Committees are appointed to look at different
areas of the POA
Voted on by the total membership

36. Career Development Events
 Individual or team competitions covering
several subjects in agriculture and
leadership
 Builds career skills of FFA Members

37. Speaking Events
 Develop communication skills
Parliamentary Procedure –
 Learn how to participate in business meetings.
Prepared Public Speaking –
 Develop and deliver a speech on an agriculture
topic.

38. Skill Events
 Develop knowledge and build
communications skills.
Livestock Evaluation –
 Evaluates livestock for market and breeding
purposes based on the physical characteristics of
the animal.

39. Skill Events Cont.
Poultry Evaluation –
 Evaluates the student’s knowledge of the
production, processing and marketing of poultry
and their products.
Farm Business Management –
 Develops business management skills and
teaches students how to apply economic principles
to agribusiness.

40. Proficiency Awards
 Entrepreneurship or placement individual
awards growing out of a students SAE
program.

41. Conventions
 State FFA Convention
 Raleigh
 June
 National FFA
Convention
 Louisville
 Late October

42.  FFA Summer
Recreational
Camp
 State
Leadership
Conference
North Carolina FFA Center
(White Lake)

43. Other Leadership Events
 Banquets
 Conferences
 Social Events
 Community Service

44. The FFA Emblem

45. The Ear of Corn
 Provides the foundation
of the emblem, just as
corn has historically
served as the foundation
crop of American
agriculture.
 A symbol of unity,
because corn is grown in
every state in the nation.

46. The Eagle
 A national symbol
which serves as a
reminder of our
freedom and ability to
explore new horizons
for the future of
agriculture.

47. The Rising Sun
 Signifies progress
and holds a promise
that tomorrow will
bring a new day
glowing with
opportunity.

48. The Plow
 Signifies labor and
tillage of the soil, the
backbone of
agriculture and the
historic foundation of
our country’s
strength.

49. The Owl
 Long recognized for
its wisdom, it
symbolizes the
knowledge required
to be successful in
the industry of
agriculture.

50. Words of FFA & Agricultural
Education
 “Agricultural
Education” and “FFA”
are emblazoned in
the center to signify
the combination of
learning and
leadership necessary
for progressive
agriculture.

51. FFA Officers and
Stations

52. FFA Officers and Stations
 President
Stationed by the rising sun
Presides of meetings
 Vice President
Stationed by the plow
Calls the roll of officers, coordinates
committees, and assumes the duties of the
president in his/her absence.

53. FFA Officers and Stations
 Secretary
Stationed by the ear of corn
Keeps accurate records of meetings
 Treasurer
Stationed by the emblem of George
Washington
Keeps financial records

54. FFA Officers and Stations
 Reporter
Stationed by the American Flag
Informs and reports on events
 Sentinel
Stationed by the door and the shield of
friendship
Assist the President in maintaining order

55. FFA Officers and Stations
 The Advisor
Stationed by the owl
This office held by the agriculture teacher
 Minimum of six officers
 Additional officers may be established by
the local chapter
Chaplin
Historian

56. FFA Degrees
 Discovery FFA Degree (Middle School)
 Greenhand FFA Degree
 Chapter FFA Degree
 State FFA Degree
 American FFA Degree

57. Types of FFA Membership
 Active
 Students in middle school, high school, and college
(up to age 21)
 Alumni
 Former active members, parents of FFA members,
and others interested in and supportive of FFA
 Collegiate
 Honorary
 Local, state and national levels

58. FFA Code of Ethics
 FFA has established guidelines for
member actions and behavior
 All FFA members should follow the code
and should use it as a guideline to live by.
 This class uses the FFA Code of Ethics as
its classroom rules.

59. FFA Websites
 National FFA Organization
www.ffa.org
 North Carolina FFA Association
www.ncffa.org
 East Wilkes FFA Chapter
www.eastwilkesffa.theaet.com