The Timeline Of FFA And How It Came To Be What It Is Today

along with five chapters in Micronesia, are chartered.

1978

President Jimmy Carter speaks at the 51st National FFA Convention again, this time as a U.S. president. The commemorative marker noting the site of the organization’s founding is unveiled in Kansas City, Mo.

1979

Christe Peterson from Wisconsin wins the first Extemporaneous Public Speaking Event.

1980

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

1982

Jan Eberly from California becomes the first female national FFA president.

1983

The Ag Ed Network, the organization’s computerized information service, launches.

1984

The first FFA TV public service announcements air.

1986

The first Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award is presented to Steven McKay from Boonville, Calif.

1987

The first national television satellite broadcast of the National FFA Convention airs. Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention. Bush is elected U.S. president the following year.

1988

The Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in agriculture. Seventh and eighth grade students are permitted to become FFA members. The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is introduced. President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.

1989

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

1990

The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches. National convention delegates vote to raise the number of official votingdelegatesto475basedon proportional representation. Delegates vote “no” to a new FFA Creed during the 63rd National FFA Convention.

1991

FFA chapters in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam,

1994

Corey Flournoy from Illinois is the first African- American to be elected national FFA president; he is also the first urban student leader.

1996

H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters. FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Center from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis. FFA announces its decision to move the National FFA Convention from Kansas City, Mo., to Louisville, Ky., in 1999. The official website for FFA, FFA. org, debuts.

1997

The Entrepreneurship Award is presented.

1998

The National FFA Center in Indianapolis is dedicated on July 20. The Agricultural Education National Headquarters is dedicated in Alexandria, Va. The National FFA Convention is held in Kansas City, Mo., for the last time. Jose Santiago from Puerto Rico is elected national FFA vice president. He is the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national FFA officer. Public Law 81-740 is revised through the 105th Congress and replaced by Public Law 105- 225 on Aug. 12.

1999

The National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time with 46,918 in attendance. Michael Van Winkle from Arkansas wins the first National Creed Speaking event.

2000

The National FFA Archives at Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) opens. Delegates at the National FFA Convention approve the Discovery FFA Degree for middle school students.

2001

Steven Offer from Wisconsin is named the first American Star in Agriscience. Nicholas Streff from South Dakota is named the first American Star in Agricultural Placement.

2002

The 75th National FFA Convention is held in Louisville, Ky. To celebrate this special event, the time capsule from the 50th National FFA Convention is opened. Special guest Muhammad Ali is recognized at Reflections to honor the growing diversity of the National FFA Organization. Karlene Lindow from Wisconsin is named American Star Farmer. Lindow is the first female to receive this award. Official Dress standards are revised.

2003

Javier Moreno from Puerto Rico is elected national president; he becomes the first person with a native language other than English