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What does FFA stand for?

What Does "FFA" Stand For?

FFA faces a continuing challenge from the public and the news media in answering the questions, "What do the letters 'FFA' stand for?" and "What is FFA?" With input from the current and past national officers, the Marketing and Communication Services Team developed answers to these questions, and the text was approved at the January board of directors meeting. When providing information to the general public and media in news releases, brochures, website postings or in general conversation, the following language is suggested to help position the organization and its proper name.

What is FFA?
FFA is a dynamic youth organization within agricultural education that changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Although FFA was created in 1928 as Future Farmers of America, the name was changed in 1988 to the National FFA Organization to represent the growing diversity of agriculture. Today, almost half a million student members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to over 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. Student success remains the primary mission of FFA.

What do the letters F-F-A stand for?
The letters FFA stand for Future Farmers of America; however, the official name of the organization was changed in 1988 to the National FFA Organization. Over the past 75 years, the FFA and agricultural education have grown to encompass all aspects of agriculture, from production farming, agribusiness and forestry to biotechnology, marketing and food processing.

FFA Mission Statement

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

FFA History

The original inspiration for the organization began after the Smith-Hughes National Vocational Education Act of 1917 established vocational agriculture courses. Virginia's Future Farmers clubs for boys in agriculture led to the establishment of a national organization, The Future Farmers of America, at the Hotel Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri in 1928. The FFA was granted a federal charter in 1950 when Congress passed Public Law 740. In 1965 the organization consolidated with the New Farmers of America, the organization for black agricultural students. Girls were permitted to join as members in 1969. In 1988, the official name of the organization was changed from the Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization.

The FFA is structured on the local, state and national levels. The National FFA Organization is led by a board of directors and six student national officers. Delegates representing the state associations vote on recommendations and policy issues at the national convention. National FFA staff members carry through the policies and provide programs and services while the national officers represent the members and guide the organization.

The Ohio FFA Association is led by the state officer team, consisting of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel, and a district president representing each of Ohio's ten districts. Chapter members serve as delegates to the state convention and elect the state officers and conduct official business.