Key Moments
FFA History Unit
Red Mountain FFA
F orging the
F uture of
A griculture
Forging the Future of Agriculture 1

FFA History


1917 The Smith-Hughes Act - National
Vocational Education Act establishes vocational agriculture courses.
Classes to be taught in the high school setting.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 2

FFA History


1920 Henry Groseclose, an agricultural education instructor from Blacksburg, Va., organizes the Future Farmers of Virginia for boys in agriculture classes. Was known as the “Father of the FFA”.
Soon similar groups are established across the country.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 3

FFA History

1926 New Farmers of America (NFA), an organization for African-American boys interested in agriculture, is formed in
Virginia. NFA’s first national convention would be in 1935.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 4

FFA History

1926 The American Royal Livestock
Show invites vocational agriculture students to participate in National
Livestock Judging Contests in
Kansas City, Mo.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 5

FFA History


1928 During the National Livestock
Judging Contests, 33 students from 18 states establish the Future Farmers of
America to provide leadership training for high school students of vocational agriculture.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 6

(
Continued)


During this first annual convention, Leslie
Applegate of Freehold, N.J., is elected president and dues are set at 10 cents annually.
The national convention was held in
Kansas City 1928-1998.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 7

FFA History


1929 Official colors— ( national blue and corn gold ) —are adopted. They are still used today
The FFA Creed was written by E.M. Tiffany
Forging the Future of Agriculture 8

FFA History

1930 At the 3rd National FFA
Convention, the membership issue was clarified when the all-member , male delegation amended the constitution restricting membership to boys only under
Article III, Section B.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 9

FFA History


1933 Fredericktown, Ohio, FFA members arrive at the national convention in crisp, blue corduroy jackets with the FFA emblem on the back.
Official delegates vote to adopt the jacket as the organization’s official dress.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 10

1933
( Continued )

Members still wear the nationallyrecognized jackets today, honoring the tradition and history of FFA. More than
50,000 are manufactured each year
Forging the Future of Agriculture 11

The FFA Famous Jacket
Forging the Future of Agriculture 12

FFA History


1933 Members across the country celebrate the
.
In 1948 , this would be changed to FFA
Week and celebrated during George
Washington’s birthday to recognize his pioneering contributions to American agriculture.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 13

FFA History


1934 All states except Rhode Island and
Alaska have chartered associations.
Rhode Island would charter an association in 1950 and Alaska in 1976 .
Forging the Future of Agriculture 14

FFA History


1944
The National FFA Foundation, Inc., was established in Washington,
D.C., to raise money for FFA programs and activities from business, industry, government, individuals and foundation sponsors.
Today, the Foundation is located in Indianapolis,
In., and raises more than $7.3 million annually.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 15

FFA History


1948 FFA members participate in the organization’s first international exchange program with the Young
Farmers Club of Great Britain.
By 1996 , the FFA would send more than
350 students to more than 25 countries annually.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 16

FFA History


1950 The U.S. Congress passes Public
Law 81-740, which grants the FFA a
and stipulates that a
U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor.
Today FFA continues to be recognized by
Congress as an i
educational program. r part of the
Forging the Future of Agriculture 17

FFA History



1952 The National Future Farmer
Magazine published. The official magazine of the FFA.
Now called FFA New Horizons
FFA Code of Ethics established.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 18

FFA History


1953 FFA celebrates its silver anniversary.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower is the first president to address a national FFA convention.

Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George
Bush and Ronald Reagan would address the FFA in the future
.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 19

1953

The U.S. Post Office issues a special stamp to commemorate the founding of the FFA.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 20

FFA History



1959 The FFA headquarters is established in Alexandria, Va., on land which was part of George Washington’s estate.
The FFA had owned the land since 1939 and used it for national camps. During the dedication, members participating in the first
National Leadership
Conference for State Officers place a hand full of soil from each state around the flagpole.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 21

FFA History

1965 The New Farmers of America
(NFA), the organization for African-
American agricultural education students, merges with the FFA, adding 50,000 members.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 22

FFA History

1966 The FFA National Agricultural
Career Show, a trade show especially for students, exposes national convention attendees to educational and career opportunities in agriculture. By
1999, 350 exhibitors participated and occupied 400,000 square feet.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 23

FFA History



1969 Women are allowed national membership, which made it possible for them to hold office and participate in competitive events at the regional and national level.
Prior to this amendment women were permitted membership only at the local and state level.
Today, 35% of FFA membership is female, while 47% of state leadership positions are held by women.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 24

FFA History

1971 The National FFA Alumni
Association is founded, providing opportunities for former FFA members and other supporters to become involved with their local student chapters.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 25

FFA History


1974 Fred McClure of Texas is elected western region vice president, becoming the organization’s first African-American national officer.
McClure would later serve on President George Bush’s staff in Washington, D.C.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 26

FFA History


1988 Delegates to the national FFA convention
America” to the “
“Future Farmers of
to recognize the growth of agriculture and agricultural education to encompass the more than 300 careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.
Delegates also opened FFA membership to middle school students
.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 27

FFA History

1989 National Future Farmer changed to
FFA New Horizons
Forging the Future of Agriculture 28

FFA History

1994 Corey Flournoy of Chicago, Ill., is elected national FFA president, becoming the organization’s first African-
American president and first urban student leader.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 29

FFA History



1996 The FFA web site, National FFA
Online, goes live.
Today , there are more than 1.5 million unique visitors per month. www.ffa.org
Forging the Future of Agriculture 30

FFA History


1998 The national convention was held in Kansas City for the last time in
November 1998
The convention set an attendance record, drawing 49,240 members, guests and supporters.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 31

FFA History 1998 continued


The National FFA Center was moved from
Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, In.
The National FFA Center houses the
National FFA Organization, the
National FFA Foundation and the National FFA
Alumni Association .

Forging the Future of Agriculture 32

FFA History 1998 continued

Approximately 1,000 guests attended the dedication ceremonies of the new National
FFA Center on July 20, 1998. And, much like the 1959 dedication, members participating in the State Presidents’ Conference placed a cup full of soil from their respective state at the base of the flagpole.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 33

FFA History

1999 The national FFA convention is held in Louisville, Ky., for the first time and would stay in Louisville through
2005; attendance was 46,918.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 34

Forging the Future of Agriculture 35

FFA History
(Red Mountain)



1988 - Red Mountain High School was opened.
Red Mt. FFA Chapter was chartered
1st FFA Advisor was Mr. Ray Gless
Forging the Future of Agriculture 36

1988
Jason Serb
President
Shelly Newinghm
Treasurer
David Little
Avie Stoner
Vice-President
Ian Romero
Reporter
Jeremy Bartel
Sherie Campbell
Secretary
Justin Serb
Sentinel
Jim Loughey
Natosha Johnson Dawn Karlicek Chris Owens
Forging the Future of Agriculture 37

FFA History


Mr .Gless was picked to become the
National FFA Advisor for the Washington
FFA Leadership Conference during the summer of 1997
This conference is held in Washington DC. And
Mr. Gless was responsible for over 1000 FFA members and Advisors over a 7 week period
Forging the Future of Agriculture 38

FFA History


For the first time in Red Mountain History
5 members receive the State FFA Degree.
This is the highest honor that a State Association can give to one of it’s members.
Members were: Amy Cowell, Matt Gless, Katie Weir,
Laura Miller, and Ryan Churchey
Forging the Future of Agriculture 39

FFA State Degree Winners
From Red Mountain
1998
Amy Cowell
1999
Josh Gless
2002
Sam Gless
Matt Gless
Katie Weir
Ryan Churchey
Laura Miller
Trent Holyoak
Terry Korell
Jessica Jones
Amber Weichold
Travis DeMoss
Jason Standage
Tressa Watts
Forging the Future of Agriculture 40

FFA State Degree Winners
From Red Mountain
2003 2004
Suzanne
Martos
Heather
Woods
Todd
Michaels
Christina
Barriball
Leah
Butrymowicz
Wendi Marfori
2006 2007 2008 2009
Cody Boose Courtney
Madden
Jenny
Bostwick
Sam Flahiff
Lauren
Beavers
Heather
Carman
Coty Vincent
Luke Gless Skye
Robertson
Melissa
Rankin
Brandon
Walker
Forging the Future of Agriculture 41

FFA State Degree Winners
From Red Mountain
What will the future hold for you?
Scout
Harper
2010
Jenna
Schulte
2011
Tori Payne
Kayla Colvin Julio Rivera Allie
Mackey
Holly
Bennett
Alissa
Rivenburgh
Jesus Lopez
Kassi
Williamson
Christen
Lukert
Laura Frear
2012 2013 2014
Ashley
Meyer
Emily Clark
Forging the Future of Agriculture 42


For the first time in Red Mountain History 5 members received the American FFA Degree.
This is the highest honor that the National FFA organization can give to one of it’s members.
Amy Cowell Matt Gless Katie Weir
Laura Miller Ryan Churchey
Forging the Future of Agriculture 43

FFA American Degree Winners from Red Mountain
1999


Amy Cowell
Matt Gless



Katie Weir
Ryan Churchey
Laura Miller
2000


Terry Korell
Trent Holyoak
2002


Josh Gless
Jessica Jones
Forging the Future of Agriculture 44

FFA American Degree Winners from Red Mountain
2004

Travis Demos



Sam Gless
Jason Standage
Tressa Watts

Amber Weichold
2006

Christina Barriball



Leah Butrymowicz
Andrew Campuzano
Robert Dorris






Benjamin Gless
Mandy Marfori
Suzanne Martos
Kalliea Ross
Ashley Simonsen
Heather Woods
Forging the Future of Agriculture 45

FFA American Degree Winners from Red Mountain
2007

Cody Boose
2008


Courtney Madden
Lauren Beavers
2009

Skye Robertson
Forging the Future of Agriculture 46




FFA American Degree Winners from Red Mountain
2010
Brandon Walker
Melissa Rankin
Coty Vincent
2011

Jenna Schulte

Kayla Colvin
Forging the Future of Agriculture 47

Honorary American Degree
FFA Advisor from Red Mountain

1999 Mr. Gless Received the highest honor that the national FFA organization can bestow onto a teacher.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 48

Red Mountain FFA
st


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2005 : Mr. Sorensen joins the RMHS AgriScience
Department and takes over as FFA Advisor
2007 : Mrs. Kupferer joins the RMHS AgriScience
Department and implements biotechnology into the program
2008 : Mr. Sorensen receives the Superstition District
FFA Teacher of the year
2010 : Mr. Gless receives the Superstition District FFA
Teacher of the year
2010 : Red Mountain named Top Program in Arizona by the Arizona Ag Teachers Association
Forging the Future of Agriculture 49

Red Mountain FFA


2007 : the Floriculture team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

The first team in the history of Red Mountain FFA to win a state CDE.


Team consisted of Jenny Bostwick, Skye Robertson,
Laura Brown, and Peter Steinmetz.
They would get a silver medal at nationals.
2007 : Katy Noviski takes FIRST place at the state AgriScience Fair.

Another first in the chapter’s history.

She received a gold medal at nationals.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 50

Red Mountain FFA



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2008 : the Floriculture team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Kelsey Clark, Tori Payne, Ashley Meyer, and
Julio Rivera.
2009 : the Aquaculture team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Ryan Gallagher, Jerry Henderson, Sam Flahiff, and Brittany Bartlett.
2009 : RACHEL CHAN wins FIRST at the State’s Chapter
Reporter Award.
2009 : the Nursery/Landscape team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Brandon Walker, Tori Payne, and Julio Rivera.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 51

Red Mountain FFA


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2010 : the Agronomy team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Jenna Schulte, Mariana Olvera, Ashley Meyer, and Teah May.
2010 : the Aquaculture team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Nick Pulido, Jericho Backer, Marco Pleasant, and Zack Huston.
2010 : Laura Frear wins FIRST at the State’s Chapter
Reporter Award and Newsletter award.
2010 : the Wildlife team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Vincent Vollaro, Doug Groshong, Kayla Colvin,
Laura Frear.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 52

Red Mountain FFA



2011 : the Agronomy team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Helaina Oglesbee, Morgan Huegle,
Chelseya Galley, Renee Bailey.
2011 : the Nursery Landscape team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Belle Levenda, Holly Bennett,
Brittany Bartlett, Alex Canez.
2011 : the Wildlife team takes FIRST place during the state competitions.

Team consisted of Jose Lopez, Andrew Larson, Dalton
Schrum, Amy Becker.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 53

Red Mountain FFA




2007 : First ever 3-Star GOLD National rating.
One of the top chapters in the nation
2008 : Gold National Chapter Award. First place and top chapter in Arizona. National 2-star award
2009 : Gold National Chapter Award. National 2 star award
2010 : Gold National Chapter Award. National 3 star award
Forging the Future of Agriculture 54

Red Mountain FFA



2006 : Cody Boose receives the Chapter’s first state proficiency award in the area of Wildlife
Management. he also received a Bronze Rating at Nationals
2007 : Sarah Washburn receives a state proficiency award in Small Animal Care and
Production
2008 : Skye Robertson receives a state proficiency award in Agricultural Education and a
Bronze rating at nationals.
Forging the Future of Agriculture 55

Red Mountain FFA


2010 : Kayla Colvin receives state proficiency award in Wildlife management
2010 : Laura Frear receives a state proficiency award in Specialty Animal
Production
Forging the Future of Agriculture 56

Red Mountain FFA






2006 : RM FFA Students receive over $2000 in FFA
Scholarships
2007 : RM FFA Students receive over $6000 in FFA
Scholarships
2008 : RM FFA Students receive over $2000 in FFA
Scholarships
2009 : RM FFA Students receive over $3000 in FFA
Scholarships
2010 : RM FFA Students receive over $1500 in FFA
Scholarships
2011 : RM FFA Students receive over $1600 in FFA
Scholarships
Forging the Future of Agriculture 57

F orging the
F uture of
A griculture

Red Mountain FFA
Make the FFA a part of
Your Life Resume.
Join Today
Forging the Future of Agriculture 58