Future Farmers of America

Future Farmers of America is an organization that was established in 1928 by Henry C. Groseclose, Harry W. Sanders, and Edmund Magill with the goal of promoting agriculture and providing opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and pursue careers in agribusiness. The organization has its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has over 650,000 members across the United States, with chapters in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. The organization is supported by National FFA Foundation partners, including Cargill, Monsanto, and John Deere. Members have the opportunity to participate in events and activities, such as the National FFA Agriscience Fair, and can also apply for scholarships, including the National FFA Scholarship.

● History

The organization was founded on November 20, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, with the help of vocational agriculture teachers, including Walter S. Newman and Edmund Magill. The first National FFA Convention was held in 1928, with 33 students from 18 states in attendance, including representatives from Iowa State University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Over the years, the organization has undergone several changes, including the addition of new programs and activities, such as the National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event and the National FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event. The organization has also been supported by notable figures, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Jimmy Carter, who have spoken at the National FFA Convention.

● Organization

The organization is led by a National FFA Board of Directors, which includes representatives from National FFA Alumni Association, National Association of Agricultural Educators, and National FFA Foundation. The organization is divided into state associations, which are further divided into local chapters, including those at University of California, Davis and Texas A&M University. Each chapter has its own set of officers, including a President, Vice President, and Secretary, who are responsible for planning events and activities, such as the National FFA Livestock Judging Career Development Event and the National FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event. The organization also has a number of programs and activities, including the National FFA Agriscience Fair, which is sponsored by Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences.

● Membership

Membership in the organization is open to students in grades 7-12 who are enrolled in agricultural education classes, including those at Purdue University and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Members can participate in a range of activities, including Career Development Events, such as the National FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event and the National FFA Marketing Plan Career Development Event. Members can also apply for scholarships, including the National FFA Scholarship, which is sponsored by Farm Credit and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. The organization has a number of notable alumni, including Sam Brownback, Mike Johanns, and Tom Vilsack, who have gone on to pursue careers in agriculture and politics.

● Activities

The organization offers a range of activities and programs for its members, including Career Development Events, such as the National FFA Livestock Judging Career Development Event and the National FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event. Members can also participate in Leadership Development Events, such as the National FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event and the National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Career Development Event. The organization also offers a number of awards and recognition programs, including the National FFA American Degree and the National FFA Honorary American Degree, which are sponsored by Case IH and New Holland Agriculture.

● Conventions_and_events

The organization hosts a number of conventions and events throughout the year, including the National FFA Convention, which is held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana. The convention features a range of activities, including Career Development Events, Leadership Development Events, and Agriscience Fair competitions, as well as speeches from notable figures, including United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and National FFA Advisor Steve A. Brown. The organization also hosts a number of other events, including the National FFA Washington Leadership Conference and the National FFA Alumni Development Conference, which are sponsored by National FFA Foundation partners, including Caterpillar Inc. and Deere & Company.

● Career_development

The organization offers a range of career development opportunities for its members, including Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events. Members can also participate in Internships and Job Shadowing programs, which are sponsored by National FFA Foundation partners, including Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences. The organization also offers a number of scholarships and awards, including the National FFA Scholarship and the National FFA American Degree, which can help members pursue careers in agriculture and agribusiness. Notable alumni, including Sam Brownback and Mike Johanns, have gone on to pursue careers in politics and agriculture, and have spoken at events, including the National FFA Convention and the National FFA Washington Leadership Conference.