FFA

Agricultural education is based on the theory that there are three parts that make it complete. They are: Classroom Laboratory, SAE (supervised agricultural experience), and FFA.

FFA is an organization in which a person can take classes in such courses as biotechnology, robotics, marketing and international trade, as well as livestock and crops. The idea for forming the FFA organization was conceived in 1917. The first FFA club started in the early 1920’s in Virginia, and it was a male-only organization.

For the first sixty years the FFA name was Future Farmers of America; it then changed to FFA in 1988. FFA is now a male and female organization. In 1926 the first vocational agricultural students participated in a national livestock-judging contest. In 1928, Future Farmers of America was established in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1929 the first national FFA convention was held in Kansas City and the blue and gold colors were adopted as the official colors.

The FFA creed was adopted in 1930. The creed is a basic statement of beliefs and a common bond between others.

FFA Creed

I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.
The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the 3rd National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.
FFA Motto

Learning to Do,
Doing to Learn,
Earning to Live,
Living to Serve.