What is the FFA?

The FFA is a national organization dedicated to preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Local, state and national activities and award programs provide opportunities to apply knowledge and skills acquired through agriculture education. The Ohio FFA Association has over 25,000 members statewide.

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.

FFA Emblem

The emblem of the FFA represents the history, goals and future of the organization. The five symbols of the emblem are: the cross section of the ear of corn, the rising sun, the plow, the eagle and the owl.

FFA Degrees

Degrees

The Greenhand and Chapter FFA Degrees are awarded to students on the local level. The State FFA Degree is awarded to the top members of the state association at the annual state convention. The American FFA Degree is conferred on the top members of national association during the national convention.

Purposes of the FFA

1. To develop competent, aggressive, agricultural leadership.

2. To create and nurture a love of agricultural life.

3. To strengthen the confidence of members in themselves and their work.

4. To have members make an intelligent choice of agricultural occupations.

5. To have members grow into an agricultural career.

6. To have members improve the home and its surroundings.

7. To participate in worthy undertakings for the improvement of agriculture.

8. To develop character, train for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism.

9. To participate in cooperative effort.

10. To practice thrift.

11. To improve in scholarship.

12. To provide and encourage the development of organized recreational activities and skills.

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.