A Brief History Of The National FFA Convention: Which Host City Is The ...

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The National FFA Organization’s 2015 national convention is taking place in Louisville, Kentucky through Nov. 1. However, that hasn’t always been the location of the annual event, which has only recently made its way back to Ohio’s southern neighbor. The following is a brief look at the history of the National FFA Convention and its location.

Held once a year in the fall, the National FFA Convention began in 1928 as a way for members of the then small and newly formed organization to come together for fellowship and to decide on executive matters that would influence the Future Farmers of America. Executive sessions are still an integral part of the convention with delegates from each state present to help decide on actions of the organization, though the convention has now grown to be much more than a voting apparatus.

The first convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri with 33 delegates from 18 states in attendance. Leslie Applegate of New Jersey was selected as the first national FFA president.

The organization grew quickly with the second National FFA Convention in November of 1929 playing host to 64 delegates representing 33 states. Some landmark decisions, many of which are still seen today, were made at those early get-togethers. National blue and corn gold were adopted as FFA’s official colors in 1929 and the third convention in 1930 saw the adoption of the FFA Creed written by E.M. Tiffany.

Just as the convention has changed to include an expo, entertainment, and much more, so has its physical location. Deciding which host city is the best has become as a fun pastime to many FFA members both young and old as they reminisce on their days in blue jackets.

From 1928 through 1998, the National FFA Convention and Expo was held in Kansas City, Missouri. It was then moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 1999 where it would stay until moving again in 2006 to Indianapolis, Indiana. The FFA Board of Directors decided in 2008, during the last convention bid process, that it should be in a rotational pattern. As a result, the convention began a three-year rotation between Louisville and Indianapolis in 2013.

“The rotation will allow students the opportunity to experience the national convention in two award-winning cities,” the organization said regarding the plan.

With many families having FFA members from multiple generations, it’s an ongoing debate between which city is the best for the annual event. Though it all boils down to personal opinion, many alumni would argue the unique nature and qualities of Kansas City make it the best while others would say the central and encompassing nature of the Kentucky Exposition Center with Freedom Hall would put it at the top. However, many current and recently graduated FFA members favor the downtown of Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse along with the many different flavors the busy city scene has to offer.

Current members and alumni of the FFA may lightheartedly argue about which city is the very best for the National FFA Convention, but most all would agree that it’s the thousands of blue corduroy jackets that make the event truly memorable. The 2015 convention will be no different with over 60,000 people expected to descend on “Derby City” for the four-day event.