The FFA is full of rich history and strong traditions. Sinces its begining in 1928, many things have changed, but its founding principles are still the same. But the FFA did not start there. It started more than 10 years earlier when in 1917 Congress passed the National Vocational Education Act. This act, known as the Smith-Hughes Act, created vocational agricultural classes throughout the country.

     During the early 1920s, the state of Virginia formed the first Future Farmers club for young men in agricultural classes. A Virginian agriculture instructor by the name of Henry Groseclose formed the Future Farmers of Virginia. He is commonly known as the father of the FFA. Not long after the formation of the Future Farmers of Virginia, there were Future Farmers' clubs springing up across the country. In 1926, the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri, invited vocational students to compete in livestock judging contest. Two years later, the students formed the Future Farmers of America to provide leadership training for farm boys. While in Kansas City for the American Royal, 33 delegates from 18 states met at the Hotel Baltimore and formally launched the organization in November 1928. Surprisingly, dues were only 10 cents per member. Leslie Applegate was the first national Future Farmers of America president. The first national FFA Advisor was DR. C.H. Lane. Also in 1928, the first national FFA covention was held in Kansas City, Missouri. It was comprised of 64 delegates from 33 states.

     Today, the nation FFA covention is held each autumn in Louisville, Kentucky and draws over 50,000 members, advisors, and supporters.