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 membership today is comprised of 649,355 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FFA operates on local, state, and national levels. Student members belong to chapters organized at the local school level. Agriculture educators serve as chapter advisors. Chapters are organized under state associations headed by an advisor and executive secretary, often employees of the state department of education. States conduct programs and host annual conventions.
The National FFA Organization is governed by a board of directors, charters state associations and provides direction, program materials and support for local chapters and state FFA associations.
FFA was organized nationally in 1928 in Kansas City, Mo. In 1950, Congress granted FFA a federal charter, making it an integral part of public agricultural instruction under the National Vocational Education Act. FFA receives no federal funding.
The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.
Science, Business,
Technology
The National FFA Organization has evolved in response to expanded opportunities available in the industry of agriculture. Today's FFA helps members prepare for careers in agribusiness, agrimarketing, science, communications, education, horticulture, production, natural resources, forestry and many other diverse fields.
Career Preparation
The agricultural education program provides a well-rounded, practical approach to learning through three components: Classroom education, hands-on supervised agricultural experiences, and FFA, which provides leadership opportunities and tests students' agricultural skills.
Student Leadership
FFA members elect their own officers and plan and conduct activities with supervision from their chapter advisors. A team of six national officers, typically college students taking a year away from their studies, plays a key role in planning the annual National FFA Convention & Expo and other events. The National FFA Officer Team travels more than 100,000 miles during its year in office.
Programs and Activities
Local, state and national FFA programs and activities help members develop public speaking skills, conduct and participate in meetings, manage financial matters, strengthen problem-solving abilities and assume civic responsibilities.
National FFA
Convention & Expo
The National FFA Convention & Expo is the organization's premier gathering during which all FFA competitive events and programs are recognized nationally. The event brings FFA members together to learn, be inspired and celebrate their accomplishments in the organization.
National FFA
Foundation
The National FFA Foundation is headquartered at the National FFA Center, and works with business and industry, organizations and individuals to raise funds that support FFA activities at the national, state and local levels. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.
National FFA Alumni Association
Agriculture teachers rely on more than 225,891 FFA Alumni members and countless volunteers to help ease the outside commitments of teaching. FFA relies on alumni members for student recruiting, scholarship funding, advocacy for agricultural education, and support to help stage camps, conferences, conventions and other personal development programs.
The National FFA Organization is headquartered at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., as a part of agricultural, food and natural resources education in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education. Its business center is the National FFA Center in Indianapolis.
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