FFA is a youth organization that promotes agricultural education in the United States. The organization helps students in grades 7 through 12 prepare for careers in farming, agricultural science, agribusiness (business involving agriculture), and other fields. It also trains them to become responsible citizens and leaders. FFA forms part of the agricultural education program in many U.S. public schools. The organization was established in 1928 as Future Farmers of America. In 1988, it changed its name to the National FFA Organization.
FFA has thousands of school chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. A school must have a full-time agriculture teacher before it can form an FFA chapter. Only students who are studying agriculture may become members of the organization. Students may continue their membership for three years after they leave high school, or until they reach the age of 21, whichever is longer.
The FFA emblem features an owl, a plow, and a rising sun within the cross section of an ear of corn. An American eagle appears above the design. The owl represents wisdom and knowledge, and the plow stands for labor and tilling the soil. The rising sun symbolizes each new day of progress in agriculture. The corn stands for the agricultural interests of all FFA members. The eagle is a symbol of national freedom and the ability to explore new horizons.
FFA members wear distinctive blue corduroy jackets. The emblems and names on the jackets are embroidered in gold and blue, the FFA colors. FFA operates a merchandising unit that sells FFA clothing, jewelry, and other items. The organization also publishes New Horizons, an official magazine for its members.
The National FFA Organization has headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Its business center is in Indianapolis.
