Who We Are
“Future Farmers of America” was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught us that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting– it’s a science, it’s a business and it’s an art.
FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways.
So today, we are still the Future Farmers of America. But, we are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Engineers and Future Entrepreneurs of America, too.
Brief History
Founded in 1928, the Future Farmers of America brought together students, teachers and agribusiness to solidify support for agricultural education. In Kansas City’s Baltimore Hotel, 33 young farmboys charted a course for the future. They could not have foreseen how the organization would grow and thrive.
Since 1928, millions of agriculture students – no one knows exactly how many – have donned the official FFA jacket and championed the FFA creed. FFA has opened its doors and its arms to minorities and women, ensuring that all students could reap the benefits of agricultural education.
Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Now, the organization is expanding the nation’s view of “traditional” agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture
Here in Florida
The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with over 15,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state. FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
The Florida FFA Association is a resource and support organization that does not select, control, supervise or approve local chapter or individual member activities except as expressly provided for in the Florida FFA Constitution and Bylaws.
Joining FFA
FFA is an integral part of the Agricultural Education program. To join the FFA you must be enrolled in an Agricutlural Education course in your local school. Contact your school’s counselor or Agricultural Education instructor to enroll in an agricultural class and join the FFA. FFA is not a “club.” It is one of three integral components of an agricultural education program: classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience and life skills. Students between the ages of 12 and 21 who are enrolled in a systematic course of instruction in agricultural education are eligible for membership. Your local school system must offer agricultural instruction and have an active FFA chapter for you to join.
If your school doesn’t have an agricultural education program, take steps to open a program in your school. In order to accomplish this task we strongly recommended that you contact your state agricultural education staff to express your interest and ask for assistance on regulations, requirements and resources for planning the new program.