FFA History

 Date/year

 Event
 1917 The Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act establishes vocational agriculture courses.
 1920 Henry Groseclose, an agricultural education instructor from Blacksburg, Va., organizes the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys in agriculture classes. Soon similar groups are established across the country.
 1926 New Farmers of America, an organization for African-American boys interested in agriculture, is formed in Virginia. NFA's first national convention would be in 1935.
 1926 The American Royal Livestock Show invites vocational agriculture students to participate in National Livestock Judging Contests in Kansas City, Mo.
 1928 During the National Livestock Judging Contests, 33 students from 18 states establish The Future Farmers of America to provide leadership training for farm boys. During this first annual convention, Leslie Applegate of Freehold, N.J., is elected president and dues are set at 10 cents annually. The convention is still held in Kansas City today.
 1929
Story City FFA Chapter is Chartered. 4th Charter in Iowa
 1930  The official creed and colors--national blue and corn gold are adopted. The creed has been amended three times but still retains its original basic tenants.
 1944 The National FFA Foundation, Inc., is established in Madison, Wis., to raise money for FFA programs and activities from business, industry and foundation sponsors. Today the Foundation raises more than $6 million annually. 
 1950 The U.S. Congress passes Public Law 81-740, which grants the FFA a Federal Charter and stipulates that a U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor. Today FFA continues to be recognized by Congress as an intracurricular part of the educational program.
 1953 FFA celebrates its silver anniversary. President Dwight D. Eisenhower is the first president to address a national FFA convention. Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George Bush and Ronald Reagan would address the FFA in the future. The U.S. Post Office issues a special stamp to commemorate the founding of the FFA.
 1965 The New Farmers of America (NFA), the organization for African -American agricultural education students, merges with the FFA, adding 50,000 members.
 1969 Girls are admitted membership in the FFA. Today more than one-fourth of FFA membership is female.
 1971 The National FFA Alumni Association is founded, providing opportunities for former FFA members and other supporters to become involved with their local student chapters. Today the Alumni Association has 38,000 members
 1988 Delegates to the national FFA convention change "Future Farmers of America" to the "National FFA Organization" to recognize the growth of agriculture and agricultural education to encompass the business, science and technology of agriculture in addition to farming. Delegates also opened FFA membership to middle school students.
 1995
The 68th National FFA Convention sets an attendance record, drawing 37,200 members, guests and supporters to Kansas City to recognize members' accomplishments, participate in workshops, hear motivational speakers and visit a 300-exhibitor Career Show.
 1998

 Last year for Kansas City to host National Convention.

Convention moves to Louisville, Ky

2001
Roland-Story chapter recognized as "oldest" existing chapter in Iowa.
2003
Roland-Story FFA recieves $2,000 grant form Iowa Farm Bureau to conduct Water Quality tests.