About FFA

FFA uses agricultural education to create real-world success

FFA is not extracurricular! The program is part of a three-part model of education that consists of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experiences and the FFA. Classroom agricultural education is applied to hands-on learning opportunities called supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs). SAEs include activities such as starting a business, working for an established company or working in production agriculture. The FFA provides members the opportunity for leadership experience and career development while reinforcing agricultural education through competitions, scholarships and personal opportunities for involvement.

Agriculture teachers become advisors to local FFA chapters, which students join. These FFA chapters are managed on a local, state and national level. Each chapter’s Program of Activities is designed with the needs of the students in mind. FFA activities vary greatly from chapter to chapter, but are based in a well-integrated curriculum. Chapter activities and programs concentrate on three areas of the FFA mission: premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

The Texas FFA Association was chartered in 1929.
61,292 members joined the Texas FFA during the 2004-05 membership year. This set a new state membership record!!!
There are approximately 975 active FFA chapters in Texas.
The Texas FFA membership accounts for approximately 14% of the national membership total.
More than 90,000 high schools students are enrolled in agricultural science and technology classes.
More than one-third of Texas FFA members are female.
The official FFA colors are National Blue and Corn Gold.
There are approximately 1,500 agricultural science teachers in Texas.
For administrative purposes, the state is divided into 10 geographic areas. The 10 areas are divided into districts that total 54 in number, with most areas having 6 districts.
Ten state officers, high school seniors, are popularly elected annually by the delegates at the State FFA Convention.
The state FFA president and 1st vice-president take a yearlong leave of absence from college to travel the state representing the Texas FFA by visiting 400+ schools; traveling more than 60,000 miles.
A record 9,036 members and guests registered at the 74th annual Texas FFA Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas in 2002.
The 2005 State FFA Convention will be held in Lubbock, Texas.
More than $1 million in scholarships was awarded at the 2005 state convention in Lubbock, Texas; more than 700 students were recognized across the convention stage.
At the 2005 convention, an estimated 1,100 students received the Lone Star FFA Degree, the highest degree of active membership that can be bestowed by the Texas FFA.

FFA Mission
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 Motto
Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions...

What is FFA?

FFA is a dynamic student-led leadership development organization for students of agricultural education. The FFA changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

What does F-F-A stand for?

F-F-A stands for Future Farmers of America, which is the official name of the organization, but we don’t use the full name and instead operate as the “FFA” because Future Farmers of America implies that we are all preparing to be farmers. Agriculture is much broader than farming and ranching. Members study things such as horticulture, aquaculture, food sciences, accounting, wildlife management, mechanics and engineering.

Are FFA members going to be farmers?

Yes and No. Agriculture is a very broad field of study. Members study things like landscaping, floriculture, animal science, computer applications, accounting, environmental science, mechanics and engineering. Regardless of an FFA member’s career choice the FFA provides opportunities to build and apply math, science, technology and leadership skills to their life.

What is the difference between 4-H and FFA?

Good question! We do a lot of the same things and have many things in common. The 4-H is part of the cooperative extension service and is coordinated by the local extension agents through county government and by volunteers. 4-H is not limited to agriculture, but takes in things like family and consumer sciences and other areas as well. The FFA is an integral part of the school’s agricultural science program. Each local program is led by an agricultural science teacher who works for the school. FFA members apply what they learn in the classroom in FFA activities through school activities.

Are there any jobs in agriculture?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at least 22 million people in the United States work in one of over 300 careers that exist in the field of agriculture. While most people think of farming when the word agriculture is mentioned, there are agriculture-related jobs in veterinary science, marketing, food processing, retail sales and timber harvesting. It is estimated that one in five people in the United States are working in jobs connected to agriculture.

How do I get my kids in FFA?

FFA is a part of the teaching program in agricultural sciences. The first step is to enroll in an agricultural science class. FFA activities are an outgrowth of the classroom and supervised independent enterprises and projects.

How old to kids have to be to be in FFA?

It depends on your local school district- at what grade level agricultural science courses are offered. The earliest any school district can offer these classes is the seventh grade level. Some local chapters have a junior FFA program to allow younger students to affiliate themselves with the local chapter to exhibit livestock. Students must be at least eight years old and in the third grade to participate in the junior FFA.

Does everyone have to raise a cow or pig in FFA?

No. Every FFA member must have a supervised agricultural experience program or SAE as we call it. An SAE is a project or enterprise that gives members hands-on training and a chance to apply what is learned in the classroom. Livestock projects are very popular, but there are a lot of options: placement in an agricultural job, internships, experimental work in agriscience, horticultural projects and crop projects are just a few.

Do you have to be a cowboy to be in FFA?

Western wear is popular among many FFA members, but is definitely not a requirement. Some of our members are involved with beef and horse projects and value the western way of life, but FFA members come with all kinds of styles and interests. From big cities like Houston and San Antonio to small towns all over Texas, what brings FFA members together is their interest in agriculture, leadership and community service.

What’s up with the blue corduroy jacket?

The blue corduroy jacket was adopted at the official dress after the Fredericktown, Ohio chapter had the blue jackets made for their local chapter in 1933 and came to the national FFA convention wearing them. The delegates at that convention voted to make that the official jacket, and they have been part of the official uniform ever since.

How is Texas FFA Funded?

FFA programs are funded through private donations, grants and sponsorships at the local, state and national level. The Texas FFA Foundation, a separately registered non-profit organization, works with business and industry, organizations and individuals to raise funds to recognize FFA achievements and support activities. State dues for each FFA member are only five dollars a year.

Texas FFA is proud to have one of the largest state membership within the National FFA Organization. Texas FFA membership has steadily grown toward a new membership record with over 61,000 members in 2005.