The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Quick Facts
Organizational Name: National FFA Organization;
Changed in 1988 from Future Farmers of America to reflect the expanding career field of Agricultural Education.
Founded: 1928
Current Membership: 500,823
Number of Chapters: 7,358 in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Largest Annual Event: National FFA Convention
2007 Attendance: 53,631
Changed in 1988 from Future Farmers of America to reflect the expanding career field of Agricultural Education.
Founded: 1928
Current Membership: 500,823
Number of Chapters: 7,358 in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Largest Annual Event: National FFA Convention
2007 Attendance: 53,631
What is FFA?
The agricultural science education program is built on the three core areas of classroom/laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA student organization activities/opportunities. FFA holds a federal charter.Two of the top three FFA executives are employed by the U.S. Department of Education.
FFA represents the relevancy to the core areas offering students opportunities that changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Founded in 1928, the FFA organization represents a large diversity of over 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. FFA is an integral part of a school system.
FFA uses agricultural education to create real-world success.Agriculture teachers become advisors to local FFA chapters, which students join. More than 7,000 FFA chapters are currently in existence; their programs are managed on a local,state and national level. Each chapter’s Program of Activities is designed with the needs of the students in mind.Activities vary greatly from school to school, but are based in a well-integrated curriculum. Chapter activities and FFA programs concentrate on three areas of our mission:
FFA Motto
The FFA motto gives members twelve short words to live by as they experience the opportunities in the organization. Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.
To accomplish its mission, FFA:
- Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
- Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
- Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
- Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.
- Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs.
- Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.
- Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.
- Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
- Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
- Promotes healthy lifestyles.
- Encourages excellence in scholarship
Agriculture Education Mission
Agricultural Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.
Public Law 105-225 (formerly Public Law 81-740) 105th Congress Passed Aug. 12, 1998 - [H.R. 1085]
In 1950, the 81st Congress of the United States, recognizing the importance of the FFA as an integral part of the program of vocational agriculture, granted a Federal Charter to the FFA. In 1998, the 105th Congress of the United States reviewed and passed technical amendments. This shows through the revisions as Public Law 105-225.
Editors' Note: Public Law 105-225 is a revision of Public Law 81-740 which reflects technical changes. The essential elements of Public Law 105-225 have been reprinted here to provide local chapters with background information on the chartering of FFA through Congress. For legal purposes, the full text of the Law (including historical notes and reference to the Code) should be requested from the National FFA Advisor or refer to Title 36 of the United States Code.
National FFA Organization Public Law 105-225
National Council for Agriculture Education
The National Council for Agricultural Education provides leadership, coordination and support for the continuous improvement and diversity of agricultural education.
Visit the following for more information on Agricultural Education
- National Council for Agricultural Education
- The U.S. Department of Education
- National Association of Agricultural Educators
- National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education
- American Association for Agricultural Education
- AgrowKnowledge; The National Center for Agriscience & Technology Education
- Association for Career and Technical Education
- National Farm & Ranch Business Management Education Association, Inc
- National Young Farmer Educational Association
- National FFA Foundation
- National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization
