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Since the Smith – Hughes Act, agricultural education has improved the quality of life not only for America's rural and farm families, but for everyone who is fed and clothed by the American Farmer all over the world. It all began with that first step, as it does with every great trip. The Smith – Hughes Act, America's first move toward transformation, turned 100 years old in 2017.

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1926 - The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest.

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1926 - The First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students assembles for a National Livestock Judging Contest.

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At the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo, the First National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students gathers for a National Livestock Judging Contest.

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1928 - Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.

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1928 - Future Farmers of America is established in Kansas City, Mo.

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Kansas is the first place Future Farmers of America was held. Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin all attended. New Jersey's Leslie Applegate is the first national FFA president.

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1930 - Official FFA CreedOfficial FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, adopted.

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1930 - Official FFA CreedOfficial FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany, adopted.

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The FFA Creed, written by E.M. Tiffany was adopted. The first national public speaking competition was held. Edward Drace of Missouri won. Dark blue shirt, blue or white slacks, blue cap, and yellow tie were the first official dress uniforms were mandated. Boys were the only ones allowed to join. The Official FFA Manual was printed for the first time.

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1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Alabama

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1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Alabama

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In Tuskegee, Alabama, the New Farmers of America was founded. The number of active FFA members now has 100,000.   A digital copy of the NFA is also available. The North Carolina FFA Association also has a large collection of NFA memorabilia dating back to the 1920s.

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1935 - New Farmers of America founded in Tuskegee, Ala. - Google Search

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emblem ffa emblem tuskegee university tennessee tuskegee institute booker t washington national ffa convention logo weyers cave gw owens

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1939 - First FFA-owned National Headquarters

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1939 - First FFA-owned National Headquarters

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The first FFA-owned national offices was built on 28.5 acres of land outside Alexandria, Virginia, which was once part of George Washington's property. Albert and Arthur Lacy, identical twins from Hondo, Texas, became the first and only members to share the title of Star Farmer of America. The “H.O. Sargent Trophy Award” was made to recognize H.O. Sargent's dedication to supporting NFA members in achieving agricultural success and leadership.

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1944 - FFA Members Join in the War Effort

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1944 - FFA Members Join in the War Effort

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The Future Farmers of America Foundation was established to collect money for FFA programs and activities from business, industry, government, citizens, and sponsors. During World War II, 138,548 FFA members served in the military. Agricultural Mechanics gets the first National FFA Agriculture Proficiency Award.

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1948 - First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held at national FFA convention.

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1948 - First FFA Chorus and National FFA Talent program held at national FFA convention.

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At the national FFA conference, the first FFA Chorus and the National FFA Talent show were held. The National FFA Supply Service was established.  The first FFA Week was held during George Washington's birthday week.

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1950 - President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740.

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1950 - President Harry S. Truman signed the bill, and it became Public Law 81-740.

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The 81st Congress of the United States passed a measure giving FFA a government charter and naming a member of the US Department of Education as the national FFA advisor. President Harry S. Truman signed the law on Aug. 30, making it Public Law 81-740.

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1953 - The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.

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1953 - The U.S. Post Office Department issued a special stamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of FFA.

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To honor FFA's 25th anniversary, the United States Postal Service released a commemorative stamp. The first president to speak at a national FFA convention was Dwight D. Eisenhower.

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1959 - First National FFA Center is dedicated in Alexandria, Va.

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1959 - First National FFA Center is dedicated in Alexandria, Va.

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In Alexandria, Virginia, the first National FFA Center is dedicated on land that was previously part of George Washington's estate. Previously, this site housed an FFA camp. In Washington, D.C., the FFA organizes its inaugural National Leadership Training Conference for state officers.

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1965 - New Farmers of America (NFA) merges with FFA

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1965 - New Farmers of America (NFA) merges with FFA

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The NFA unites with the FFA, resulting in a membership increase of more than 50,000 members for the FFA. Delegates vote to raise FFA membership dues from ten cents to fifty dollars, allowing all members to receive The National Future Farmer, the official FFA magazine.

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1969 - The Washington Conference begins.

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1969 - The Washington Conference begins.

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FFA membership is open to women, allowing them to hold office and compete in regional and national competitions. Ken Dunagan of Arizona has been named the first American Agribusiness Star. The Washington Conference (now known as the Washington Leadership Conference or WLC) gets underway. As part of the constitution, the National FFA Convention's delegate body establishes an alumni class of membership.

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1975 - Food for America program launches.

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1975 - Food for America program launches.

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The Food for America project has begun. At the National FFA Convention, Jimmy Carter, former Georgia governor and former member of the Plains (Ga.) FFA Chapter, addresses. The next year, Carter was elected President of the United States. The first edition of the FFA Student Handbook is released.

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1976 - Julie Smiley, Washington is elected national FFA vice president and is the first female to hold a national FFA office.

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1976 - Julie Smiley, Washington is elected national FFA vice president and is the first female to hold a national FFA office.

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Julie Smiley of Washington has been elected as the first female vice president of the National FFA Organization. Alaska becomes the 50th state to be granted a national charter.

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1987 - Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention.

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1987 - Vice President George H.W. Bush speaks at the National FFA Convention.

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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.

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1988 - President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.

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1988 - President Ronald Reagan speaks at the National FFA Convention via a prerecorded message.

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To reflect the expanding diversity in agriculture, the Future Farmers of America changes its name to the National FFA Organization. Students in the seventh and eighth grades are eligible to join the FFA. The Agriscience Student Recognition Program is presented for the first time. President Ronald Reagan delivers a prerecorded statement to the National FFA Convention.

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1990 - The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches. 

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1990 - The Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) program launches. 

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PALS (Partners in Active Learning Support) is a new program. Based on proportional representation, national convention delegates choose to increase the number of official voting delegates to 475. During the 63rd National FFA Convention, delegates vote negative on a new FFA Creed.

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1996 - H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters.

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1996 - H.O. Sargent Award is reinstated, promoting diversity among chapters.

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The H.O. Sargent Award is reestablished, boosting chapter diversity. The National FFA Center was relocated from Alexandria, Virginia, to Indianapolis. In 1999, the National FFA Convention was moved from Kansas City, Missouri, to Louisville, Kentucky. FFA.org, the organization's main website, went live.

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1998 - Jose Santiago, Puerto Rico is the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national FFA officer.

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1998 - Jose Santiago, Puerto Rico is the first member from Puerto Rico to serve as a national FFA officer.

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On July 20, the National FFA Center in Indianapolis was dedicated.  For the last time, the National FFA Convention is hosted in Kansas City, Missouri. Jose Santiago of Puerto Rico was elected as the national vice president of the FFA. He is the first Puerto Rican to hold the position of national FFA officer. On August 12, Public Law 81-740 is looked over by Public Law 105-225, which was passed by the 105th Congress.